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9:15 am Sunday School
10:30 am Worship with Holy Communion

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History

St. John's Lutheran Church was organized July 25, 1869 as Die deutsche luterische germeinde (The German Lutheran Congregation) and is the oldest Lutheran church in Atlanta. The first services were held at the corner of Broad and Marietta Streets. The name was changed to St. John's Lutheran Church in 1871. The church moved to Inman Park and then to its present location in 1961 when renovation of the Stonehenge mansion purchased in 1959 was completed.

St. John's at night at the start of the Easter Vigil

Stonehenge Mansion

The Stonehenge Mansion was built in 1914 for Samuel Hoyt Venable, a bachelor, and his sister, Elizabeth Venable Mason, her husband, Frank Tucker Mason, and their children. The architect for the mansion was Edward Bennett Dougherty. Another of Mr. Venable's Sisters, Mrs. Leilla Venable Ellis was responsible for the murals and other art work throughout the house. The mansion was built in the Domestic Gothic Style of the Tudor period from Stone Mountain granite.

Sam Venable and his brother William Venable owned and operated the Southern Granite Company which in turn owned Stone Mountain, Arabia Mountain, and Pine Mountain. Naturally, they chose granite as the primary building material for their home.

St. John's Lutheran Church bought the mansion in 1959 for some sixty thousand dollars and spent another fifty thousand dollars renovating it for its new use as a church. The sanctuary was added in 1969. Designed by architects Barker and Cunningham, they used the same Stone Mountain granite as the original structure.

Sanctuary

The St. John's Sanctuary was added on to the Stonehenge Mansion in 1969. Designed by architects Barker and Cunningham it was built of the same Stone Mountain Granite used in the original structure. Cap stones from the stone arches of the Front Portico were used in the doors in the Crosswalk Narthex. And similar arches were used through-out to tie the new structure in with the old.

Front door at dusk The octagonal shape, though often used in earlier periods of Church history to signify the "eighth day of creation" (our new creation through our baptism into the death and resurrection of Jesus), was considered very contemporary in 1969. Although the sanctuary will seat up to 300 people, its central altar means that no one is ever more than five rows back. This also reflects St. John's understanding of the Church as the family of God gathered around the table of God.

The unusual four sided cross that hangs above the altar is made of faceted glass. The pipe organ was added in 1983, built by W. Zimmer and Sons of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Palm Sunday 2008

Long Range Plan

In early 2008, the congregation unanimously approved a new Long Range Plan. The plan identifies four major areas, or interventions: Diversity (Include); Christian Formation for Adults (Connect); Christian Formation for Children and Youth (Nurture); and Building and Grounds (Tend). To download the Long Range Plan and to see specific goals to be achieved by 2012, click here.

A Time of Trial

On August 8, 2006, Bishop Ronald Warren of the Southeastern Synod filed formal charges with the ELCA against Pastor Schmeling because of his committed relationship with Rev. Darin Easler. As the ELCA had a policy that excluded gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons in relationships from the ordained ministry, the disciplinary and appeal committees ruled against Pastor Schmeling. Pastor Schmeling was subsequently removed from the ELCA roster. Because of the verdict, 22 synods in the ELCA asked the church to change the policy. Even though the church at its national assembly in 2007 did not change the policy, it did adopt a resolution that asked the bishops to exercise restraint in discipline. The resolution probably means that Pastor Schmeling is the last partnered gay pastor who will ever face trial in the ELCA. The Assembly also directed the Task Force on Human Sexuality to develop recommendations on ministry policy to be presented to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly.

Bishop Warren announced on August 2, 2007 that he would take no further action regarding Pastor Schmeling's case and/or against St. John's. Bishop Gordy, elected in 2007, has also chosen not to seek any discipline against St. John’s, believing that while the church is in discernment on the issue of homosexuality, “no one should be excused from the table.”

In 2009, The ELCA met in assembly and adopted a social statement, “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust,” which, for the first time acknowledged that there are faithful Christians who do not believe that homosexuality is sinful but is part of a diverse and wonderful creation. The assembly also adopted four ministry policy recommendations:

Resolution 1: Adopted by a vote of 771-230 as amended: “Resolved, that in the implementation of any resolutions on ministry policies, the ELCA commit itself to bear one another's burdens, love the neighbor, and respect the bound consciences of all."

Resolution 2: Adopted by a vote of 619-402: “Resolved, that the ELCA commit itself to finding ways to allow congregations that choose to do so to recognize, support and hold publicly accountable lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships.”

Resolution 3: Adopted by a vote of 559-451: “Resolved, that the ELCA commit itself to finding a way for people in such publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships to serve as rostered leaders of this church.”

Resolution 4: Adopted by a vote of 667-307 as amended: This resolution called upon members to respect the bound consciences of those with whom they disagree; declared the intent to allow structured flexibility in decision-making about candidacy and the call process; eliminated the prohibition of rostered service by members in publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous same-gender relationships; recognized and committed to respect the conviction of members who believe that the ELCA should not call or roster people in committed same-gender relationships; called for development of accountability guidelines; directed that appropriate amendments to ministry policy documents be drafted and approved by the Church Council; and urged that this church continue to trust congregations, bishops, synods and others responsible for determining who should be called into public ministry.

Both Pastor Schmeling and St. John’s Lutheran Church are deeply grateful for all the prayers and support that they have received in these last several years. We feel blessed to have played a significant role in moving the entire ELCA forward, leading it to become a church that truly welcomes all people, recognizes their families and relationships, and celebrates their gifts for ministry.

Pastor Schmeling also wants you to know how deeply moved he has been by the outpouring of love and support. He feels held in the power of the Holy Spirit and gives thanks for the opportunity to serve the church with people across this country.

More detail about the trial may be found by clicking here.