PERRYSVILLE — An array of emotions were displayed by congregants Sunday at Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Church.
But the resounding themes voiced by those inside the 183-year-old Perrysville church were faithful and thankful.
As rays of Sunday morning sun beamed through the vivid stained glass windows, about 35 churchgoers found their seats in the pews, exchanging smiles, hugs and handshakes.
It was a somber morning for many, but the message remained powerful.
Sunday marked the final service to be led by Pastor Dieter Schade, who’s spearheaded the congregation for the past decade. The church is closing because it cannot sustain itself anymore.
St. John’s closing service will take place at 10 a.m. on April 26 at 111 E. 2nd St. It will be led by the Northeastern Ohio Synod of the ELCA.
“It’s a day to worship the Lord and also deal with emotions,” Schade said Sunday as he opened the service. “But the reminder is that it’s not about us. It’s about the Lord.
“He’s the one that brought us all together here. This is a time to worship him.”
Following its closing service, the church will be auctioned. An open house is set for May 7 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The auction itself is scheduled for May 20 at 5:30 p.m.
“I hope that you would pray with us that this building would be used for God’s glory,” Schade said to the congregation.
St. John was formally organized in 1842
Julianne Zody has attended St. John since she was 6 weeks old.
“I was baptized here and I’ve been here ever since,” the 78-year-old said after Sunday’s service.
Zody said it’s been very special to belong to one church for her entire life.
She recalled one of her favorite memories, which came at a time when she and her husband served as youth leaders at the church. The married couple took seven youth to New Orleans, Louisiana for a convention. It was also the first time flying on an airplane for everyone on the trip.
This was just one example of the many fond memories Zody discussed while thinking back on all of her years serving at St. John.
“It’s just been my life,” she said.
Zody was also one of the church members who helped create history booklets in 2012 when St. John was celebrating its 170th anniversary.
The church was formally organized on Oct. 12, 1842 by the Rev. George W. Schaeffer and 19 charter members — although its history can be traced back even further to 1831. Schaeffer continued as pastor of St. John until 1846.
Church membership increased from 19 to 49 members during those four years. Records show that number jumped to 198 members by 1855, the booklet says.
St. John’s current building was dedicated on Nov. 14, 1937. A local newspaper article reported that over 400 attended the dedication, the booklet says. The church cost $16,000 to construct.
Throughout its 180 years, St. John was served by more than 35 different pastors.
