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

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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.

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 has a policy that excludes 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.

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.”

The St. John’s congregation stood behind Pastor Schmeling during this process and continues to support him. We invite you to pray for Pastor Schmeling, St. John’s and the entire ELCA. We give thanks for the amazing support that has been offered to us during these days of trial. 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.

Front door at dusk

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.

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.