St. John's - LCMS

Throughout its almost 140-year history, St. John's Lutheran Church has demonstrated a loving concern for people. People founded this congregation and people have kept it going during the good times and the bad by only God's grace. Scripture has revealed to us that people and not the structure itself forms the church. Therefore, St. John's must be in the people business. We will continue to demonstrate love for those inside the church family and show concern for those who are outside the fellowship of the church.

St. John's Congregation at Cordova, formerly called Huncan, was organized September 25, 1887, in the house of Mr. A. Schnase under the guidance of Rev. G. Jung of the South Waco congregation. The charter members were Johann Petau, Freidr. Rodeman, Ludwig Manke, Andreas Wambold, Hein Schnase, Adolph Schnase, Johann Krasser, Fritz Kraemer, Fritz Brauer, Louis Holzman and Johann Schnase. At this time, it was decided to build a church, 28'x36'x 14' high in Huncan. Fr. Rodeman, John Krasser and Fr. Kraemer were chosen to be on the building committee.

Bit's and Pieces over the Years

• On February 8, 1888, the congregation asked Rev. Jung to serve them regularly. On the 11th Sunday after Trinity, August 12, 1888, the church building was dedicated to the Service of The Triune God as the German Evangelical Lutheran St. John's Church. Pastor S. Meeske conducted the Dedication Service and Pastor Gans and Pastor Jung assisted. St. Johns was accepted as a member of the Missouri Synod by the Nebraska District at its convention held September 13-19, 1888, in Zion Church, Hampton, Nebraska.
• In 1889, the congregation called Rev. E.J.W.H. Meyer from Milford (Ruby) Nebraska. Membership was 110 communicants and 212 souls. He was the first resident pastor of St. Johns, installed on the 3rd Sunday in Advent 1889, by Rev. Jung. The congregation then decided to build a parsonage. Rev. Meyer also served the mission station near McCool.
• In 1890 a school committee was elected. After serving the congregation for one year, Rev. Meyer accepted a call to Lena, Illinois. His successor was candidate W. F. Rittamel. He was installed on the 13th Sunday after Trinity at both the Cordova and McCool congregation.
• In January of 1892, it was resolved to order receipt books of the church. Pledges were taken for the Pastor's salary.
• There was a deficit in the treasury of $16.75 in January. 1893. A collection of $8.15 was taken in the April meeting. In the July meeting a motion was made that children confirmed here would not have to be specially received. Resolved that every child outside of the congregation pay $1.00 a month tuition. At this time hitching posts and chains were purchased.
• Early in 1896 Rev. Rittamel accepted a call to Falls City, Nebraska. The congregation decided to become incorporated. On May 3, 1896, Rev. Gottlieb D. H. Haack of Imogene, Iowa was called and installed the 4th Sunday after Trinity to serve both Cordova and McCool.
• In 1897 it was resolved to allow the Pastor to collect money to buy a neighboring lot. The 50th year of the Missouri Synod was celebrated.
• On January 7, 1900 the congregation erased the last of the debt on the church. Rev. Haack accepted a call to Bennet, Nebraska. Rev. E. H. Jaebker was called from the Southern District and installed on the 5th Sunday after Trinity by Rev. Seltz.
• On December 8, 1901 Rev. Jaebker left for Norman, Oklahoma.
• Rev. F. J. Oetjen of Longbranch, Nebraska was installed April 13, 1902.
• A porch was built on the parsonage in 1904 with the addition of 6 feet of concrete sidewalk which was put in front of the church.
• Pastor Oetjen was asked to inquire about a bell for the church in 1907. In 1908 Pastor Oetjen was called to Blue Earth, Minnesota.
• On the 22nd Sunday after Trinity, 1909, Rev. H. M. Henrickson was installed. It was during this time that a bell was purchased.
• In 1911 John Frank was a delegate to the Synodical Convention in St. Louis. F. Zastrow was the alternate. In 1912it was resolved to stop leaving money at the altar on communion to buy bread and wine. The pastor is to receive the collection.
• On the first Sunday in September 1913, our 25th anniversary was celebrated. Pastor Klawitter and Graff were speakers.
• Rev. H. M. Henrickson preached his farewell sermon in 1914 and went to Gresham. Rev. Ed Schulenburg from Havelock, Nebraska was installed February 7, 1915.
• In 1917 the pastor asked for a raise as he could not make it on $500.
• It was resolved to have holy communion once a year in English in 1920.
• Pastor Schulenburg accepted a call to Lindenwood, Illinois in 1921. Rev. Petersen from Plymouth was called and installed November 6, 1921. At this time a young people’s society was started. It was held in each home.
• It was resolved in 1922 to pay a monthly salary. There was a discussion about building a new parsonage. Then, in December, it was decided to wire the church for lights.
• In 1923 it was decided to have the first and fourth Sunday, German service and the second, third and fifth in English.
• St. Johns Cordova asked that the pastor be relieved of the duty of serving McCool in 1924. The congregation decided to use the envelope system for special collections in 1926.
• A motion carried to buy new seats for the balcony and close the banister in front of the balcony in March of 1927. Also, the insurance was renewed for 5 years, the church for $1600, the house $2800 and the barn at $200. Miss Lineau was the organist and was to receive a $10 raise making a total of $25.
• A motion was made at the March 1928 meeting to allow the treasurer, Mr. Chris Finke to borrow money when needed for the minister’s salary.
• In June of 1929 a motion was made to celebrate Lord's Supper twice in English. It was also decided to drop services on second Christmas Day and New Years Eve.
• On January 26, 1929, Rev. Petersen was called to St. Paul's at York. Rev. Siegman Thies, city missionary of New Orleans, Louisiana was inducted into office on the 15th of June. On
• December 7, 1929 the church went on record regarding the age a child must have reached before being confirmed. Boys must be 13 before the instruction period has begun, girls must be 13 before the 1st of January following. The congregation adopted the envelope system of giving with two dissenting votes.
• It was March 1931 the constitution was drafted into English. There was a question about what to do about fixing up the church. Decided to try to clean it as much as possible. There were English Hymnals purchased but not for general distribution, only guests and strangers. Also discussed the mounting financial difficulties.
• The financial difficulties were not any better in 1932. Pastor Thies offered to do the janitor work without pay.
• Since so many younger people were sitting upstairs it was making supervision difficult, it was decided those under 18 had to sit downstairs. All the ladies of the church took turns cleaning the church. There was a deficit of $275, and it was decided to cut the minister’s salary to $200. The next organist was to get 25 cents a Sunday instead of $1.00. We had 136 communicants and 212 souls. In September English services were offered in the evening when the morning service was in German. The annual meeting was to be held on the Monday following the first Sunday in January. It was resolved to have English and German Communion to alternate at intervals, as much as possible of six or seven weeks.
• In June of 1933 it was decided to have three ministers for Mission Festival. Saturday School was held all day. A monthly church bulletin was also offered.
• The treasurer's report in 1934 showed $913.81 had been collected for home purposes and $213 for mission.
• A liturgy for the English service was introduced also one for the German service. It was also decided to put a lock on the church door to protect it from damage in high winds.
• On January 7, 1935, it was agreed everyone should pledge at the beginning of the year what he will strive to contribute. The delegates for this year’s convention at Cleveland, Ohio were Hy Wellman and Chris Finke alternate. Those wishing to be confirmed must have two years of Saturday School. St. John's also joined other congregations in helping to bring financial relief to the stricken brethren in the Republican Valley.
• Because of the dust storms and snow and extreme cold in January 1936 the janitor work, which had been done free by the pastor and his family the past 4 years, was not a pleasure but a thankless job. The congregation voted for a yearly fee of $10 to be paid.
• It was decided in January of 1937 to join other congregations in having a blanket subscription for every member of the Lutheran Witness or Der Lutheraner. In July it was decided to have the first Sunday of the month in German and the rest in English. At this time, we had 102 communicants and 174 souls.
• St. Johns celebrated their 50th Anniversary of its church building in 1938. The speakers were Rev. Oetjen and Rev. Schulenburg. A special meeting was called in September at which time Pastor Thies stated he could not support his family in this haphazard way of taking what comes in. His resignation was not granted and the congregation resolved to mortgage the property to try to raise $500. The $500 was raised by pledge and borrowing from Ladies Aid. Rev. Thies was given a peaceable dismissal in October. Motion made and carried that the congregation call a pastor as soon as a pledge drive had been finished to ascertain whether enough funds are available to support a pastor.
• In January of 1939 we did not have enough funds to order Sunday School material for the first time since our existence. Motion was made to call a pastor and pay him $600 a year in monthly payments as somewhat over $600 had been pledged. Our mission quota was $3.50 per communicant member. Candidate Martin Juengel was installed on April 13, 1939.
• In January of 1940 it was decided to have all Holy Days in American Language. Also, it was decided to give the pastor two weeks’ vacation.
• The new Lutheran Hymnal was introduced in March of 1941. The church funds were deposited in the local Cooperative Credit Association.
• The matter of the language to be used for services was brought up for discussion in 1942. It was decided to drop the German language.
• After serving the congregation 4 1/2 years Pastor Juengel accepted a call to St. Paul’s at Potter, Nebraska. It was moved and seconded to send a call to Rev. Mueller of Grafton in January of 1944, at $900. He was installed in March.
• The new catechism was introduced in 1945. Rev. Mueller was also given the right to go to Friend to do mission work. On motion it was decided to build a new church.
• At the quarterly meeting in 1946 a lengthy discussion about building a new church was held but it was tabled. In 1947 the janitor’s salary again was discussed and he was to receive $100 a year. In the fall of 194 7 the old church was torn down, and construction began on the new one. Cornerstone laying was held November 9, 1947. Services were to be held in Christiansen’s Funeral Home. At a special meeting on November 3, the congregation was incorporated as St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Building committee consisted of John Grandoeff, John Peeks, George Noler, Alvin Zastrow and Chris Finke.
• The new church building was dedicated May 9, 1948. Vice President Krohn and Rev. Petersen were the speakers. The new edifice cost approximately $12,000. Rev. Mueller accepted a call to Tenstrike, Minnesota. ( Pages from History - 1948, Lincoln Journal-Star...)
• It was moved and seconded and carried to go in on the plan to combine with Goehner and Ruby congregations in January 1949. There were to be three members from each church on the council. They were to be the elders. The Pastor was to live in Cordova, so the house had to be modernized. A railing was purchased for the church steps, and a partial basement was put under the parsonage. This was all finished in 1950.
• The Ladies Aid fixed the kitchen in 1950, size 12'x14'. It was at this time we decided to alternate early and late services. Candidate Charles Born was installed September 10, 1950. The ordination and installation were performed by Pastor Loessel of Utica. The congregation decided to join the pension plan.
• We purchased 2 dozen hymnals and 32 racks. Also, small chairs for Sunday School. A telephone was put in the parsonage in 1951. Moved and seconded to have ushers. Resolved to let the women decide how to go to communion. A garage was built southwest of parsonage. Christmas Eve collection to go to Fremont orphanage an annual affair.
• The Ladies Aid made and donated alter paraments for the church in June 1952. All officers were to serve 3 years and could not succeed themselves.
• In a special meeting in February 1953 Pastor Born was given a release to Faith Lutheran Church in Lincoln.
• It was decided to drop our 65th Anniversary plans because we didn't have a Pastor. St. John's Lutheran Laymen's League was founded.
• Candidate Victor Constein was ordained and installed on July 5, 1953, by Pastor Loessel of Utica. It was decided to have communion every fourth Sunday of the month. On October 11, the congregation dedicated its new Wurlitzer Spinnette electric organ.
• A new ceiling was installed in the basement by the men of the congregation. L.W.M.L. was started and the name of the Ladies Aid was changed to Dorcas Society. Pastor Constein had received four calls. After much discussion he was given a peaceful release to Valdosta, Georgia.
• Pastor Constein preached his farewell sermon on January 23, 1955, and Pastor J.C.R. Schmidt was installed May 29, 1955.
• Motion was made and seconded to put water and stools in the church basement in July of 1956. It was decided to change Mission Festival to a morning service only and lunch at noon in 1958.
• Pastor Schmidt accepted a call to Holstein, Nebraska in 1959. Pastor Bruenger was installed in June by his father and assisted by Rev. Bangert of Seward.
• The chicken house was sold and removed from the property in 1960. The Dorcas Society donated a dossal curtain behind the altar. The Walther League of Cordova joined the Holy Cross Walther League.
• The congregation decided to celebrate our 75th Anniversary in 1962. The church was carpeted, repainted and repairs were made on the church and parsonage. During the past 75 years there have been 416 Baptisms, 281 Confirmations, 74 Marriages and 119 Burials. Our membership was 125 communicants and 194 souls.
• It was voted in 1963 that the ushers rather than the elders would take up the offerings. Expense arrangement between the two congregations were Cordova 55% and Goehner 45%.
• Pastor Bruenger accepted a call to Madison, Nebraska in 1964.
• The following year candidate David Mealwitz came to serve the parish. During his time here a new organ was dedicated, and the furnace area was closed off in the church basement. In 1968, Pastor Mealwitz, due to reasons of health desired a leave of absence from the ministry and left the congregation.
• In September Arden Walz was installed as pastor. He was shortly given permission to start a three-year Confirmation Plan and to have written rather than oral tests.
• In October of 1969 a new church constitution was drawn up by Pastor Walz and three elders. In which, concerning "Suffrage", it was stated, "all female or male communicant members over 20 years of age, will become voting members and will be eligible to hold office". Two women did indeed vote for the first time in 1970.
• New articles of incorporation were filed with the state in April of 1971.
• The church was re-shingled and new cupboards were bought for the parsonage kitchen. Air conditioning for the church was discussed but the decision was for ceiling fans.
• Pastor Walz was also a member of the Naval Reserves. He accepted a call to Cologne, Minnesota in October 1973.
• Candidate Rodney Meske was ordained in his home church and installed here in 1974. During his time, he encouraged the purchase of an official church seal. Its imprint can be seen on the front page of the secretary book. Also, that year, we obtained a 16mm movie projector.
• In July of 1975, it was proposed and carried that Common Cup Communion be reinstated on the second Sunday of each month.
• New floor coverings were installed in the parsonage in 1977.
• January 8, 1978, it was decided to publish in the church bulletin the average per week cost (based on the budget) of the expense for local use and for mission commitments, also the previous weeks receipt for each.
• In April of that year new hymnals "Joyful Sounds", especially for children were received and used, from the Lutz Memorial.
• Later, in November, Pastor Meske accepted a call to Hooper, Nebraska.
• The church interior was painted in 1979, and the congregation purchased the vacant lot south of the parsonage. That year Candidate Gordon Besel came from Eureka, Missouri.
• In 1980, new church pews were purchased, the old pews were sold to members, and memorial money was also used to pay for the new pews.
• The Lutheran Family Service dissolved corporation in April of 1980, and the money was placed in an endowment fund for the Nebraska District.
• A Parish Council was formed, and it was decided to have a Congregational Directory made.
• In April of 1981, permission was given for Field Workers from the Seward College to assist the Pastor with communion. Later that year, it was voted to join the "Association of Congregations for Concordia College", contributing 1% of the home budget, and, to remit $2.30 per subscription per family to the Nebraska District for the Lutheran Witness.
• At the December joint meeting, division of expenses was set at 52.5% Cordova and 47.5% Goehner.
• In 1982, 'Lutheran Worship', the new hymnals were ordered, and the elders were allowed to assist the Pastor with communion. Pastor Besel saw a need for a Christian Assistance Emergency Fund, and one was established, each congregation contributing like amounts.
• In January of 1984, in a final reading of the Constitutional Amendment, it was resolved to change "Article VI Right of Suffrage" to read, "All communicant members who have reached the majority age (18) shall have the right of suffrage and are eligible to hold office."
• Division of expenses for 1984 were changed to 50% each congregation.
• A motion was made, and carried, to no longer usher out after services, allowing more opportunity for fellowship. New ceilings were put in the parsonage, along with other improvements. In May, an air conditioning and heating unit was installed in the church, a generous gift from the estate of Mr. George Brackhan.
• Due to the division of the York-Seward Circuit, the congregation in April of 1985 voted to be in the Seward Circuit.
• A Circuit Forum was formed, meeting once every month. Its purpose is to provide support for the congregation, to facilitate inter-congregational responsibilities, and to serve as a link between congregations, district and synod. Each to have a pastor and one voting lay representative.
• To have a record of attendance it was decided to use the "Rite of Christian Fellowship" system. Unique meetings being held in our church are those of the Rural Support group. Their purpose is to provide the opportunity for agriculture-related people to discuss issues of the present agricultural crisis and to help one another to positively resolve personal conflicts in a confidential setting. The group was formed in October of 1985 by a group of concerned members who felt we need to reach out with Christs' love to all people and their needs. Being an informal group, it will continue to meet often and as the attendance desire.
• On January 12, 1986, it was voted to hire a part-time secretary from St. Johns for the church office for 8-hours a week at $4.00 an hour (about $1800 a year with Social Security).
• A vote was taken to decide which school district the church property should be in; the vote was for the Friend district. Pastor Besel accepted a call to St. Paul Lutheran of Omaha and left the congregation in May of 1986. One more time the parsonage was painted.
• Pastor E. Wade Helmkamp was installed in the parish, April 1, 1987, by Dr. Eldon Meyer, President of the District. We number 183 baptized members and 148 communicant members.

Other happenings over our most recent years:

• 2000 - Laborers for Christ begin work on the new church building.
• 2000 - Decommissioning of 1948 church.
• 2001 - Newly elected Congregational President, Ralph Linder is the first burial in the 2000 church.
• 2002 - St. John's becomes a supporting member of Camp Luther.
• 2003 - The brick marquee was constructed at the southeast comer of the church property.
• 2003 - Members purchased sixty Lutheran Study Bibles and sixty Luther books for personal use.
• 2003 - The Memorial Book stand was constructed.
• 2004 - Comer Stone laying in the bell rower.
• 2005 - St. John's provides monetary support for Seminary experience of Peter Jurchen.
• 2006 - Prayer vigil held in October as dissolving the dual parish is considered.
• 2006 - St. John's led a mission team to Orange, TX in February and March to assist with Hurricane Relief.
• 2007 - Purchased lots for the new parsonage in July.
• 2007 - Members voted to dissolve the Dual Parish Call with Holy Cross, Goehner and call its own minister at the retirement of current minister, Arnold Jurchcn.
• 2007 - Purchased, at auction, a house constructed by Southeast Community College for moving to Cordova as St. John's new parsonage.
• 2008 - Extended call for Pastor Brian Tuma, serving Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Sylvan Grove, KS.
• 2008 - Pastor Tuma and family move to Cordova in July and are the first family to occupy the new parsonage.
• 2008 - Installation of Pastor Tuma takes place on July 27th.
• 2009 - The Youth Group traveled to Norfolk to work at Orphan Grain Train and packed I84 mission boxes for distribution.
• 2010 - Ashley Eftken is returning to the United States as a GEO LCMS missionary from Trinec, Czech Republic to attend the Deaconess Program on the campus of the LCMS Seminary in St. Louis.
• 2011 - Sunday, October 2nd St. John's accepted fifteen people into membership during morning worship.
• 2012 - Sunday September 27, St. John's celebrated its 125th Anniversary with services of celebration, praise and thanksgiving. Rev Peter Jurchen, favorite son of the congregation and son of former Pastor Arnold and Tamra Jurchen, was the guest preacher.
• 2013 - A trip was taken to Mission Central, Mapleton, Iowa in April.
• 2013 -Dorcas-L WML donated to Orphan Grain Train by assembling and tying a total of 152 quilts.
• 2014 - Members Rhonda Stokebrand and Denny Heng traveled with a mission team from St. John. Seward to Akiachak. Alaska.
• 2014 - Memorial Committee purchased a Casket Pall.
• 2014 - Mother's Day tornado and winds do $68,000 damage to church and parsonage.
• 2014 - June 3rd hailstorm destroys all the vinyl siding.
• In June of 2015, St. John's hosted a Tornado Recovery Meal at the Cordova Community Building one year after the area tornado with one hundred sixty-seven in attendance.
• The congregation has approved a wedding policy to be included in the church's marriage booklet that prohibits same-sex marriages from being performed at St. John's due to the teachings of Scripture and in line with the beliefs of our Synod.
• The church organ was replaced after it was determined that it had suffered irreparable damage from lightning in the June 2014 storm.
• First discussed in October 2015 was the distribution of Thrivent Choice Dollars: creating one share each for LWML, the Baker missionary family, and the PIN fund; and two shares for the St. John's Seminary student.
• Friendly Member Teams were formed to minister to inactive members on a quarterly basis.
• Security cameras were installed in the church.
• Youth trip in June 2018 to Kentucky for the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum.
• Lydia LWML women's service group was formed in 2018 to complement the Dorcas group.
• Pan Box was made to store the Pall that covers caskets at funerals. The Pall is a reminder of Christ's righteousness that is given in Baptism.
• Keeping in Touch Calling Tree Ministry was created in 2019 to contact congregation members between 18 to 30 years of age, new members of any age and shut-ins on a quarterly basis.
• 2020 - 2021 saw the pandemic take its toll on church activities, as was the case in many communities throughout the world. In care of our neighbor, temporary changes were put in place for the sake of everyone such as parking lot services, drive up communion, ‘virtual’ VBS, in-place social distancing, and online Facebook services began broadcasting.
• 2020 - Dorcas LWML ends their 50+ years of quilt making with the last quilt tied in October. Social Media Ministry begins.
• 2022 - Church website is created.
• The long study of adding an enclosed area to the west entry door and solving low areas around the building finally saw its completion in 2024 with a dedication during a Sunday worship service.
• 2024 - New west entrance and paved handicap parking completed with funds from Aloha Zimmer memorial.
• 2025 - A 25th anniversary celebration took place of our current church building.
• October of 2025 found that Pastor Tuma had accepted a divine call to Osborn, Nebraska.
• In 2026, the membership awaits God's answer to the calling of our next Pastor.

The Next 140 Years

• Just as past events unfolded for our benefit according to the Lord's will, we will simply stay out of God's way for the rest of it!