St. John's Lutheran School history

The school was established in 1849, the same year as the church.

In 1850 an illness swept the community and so the cemetery was established.

G. Schwab brought up the discussion of the founding of a school." St John's School was organized on September 28, 1870, with twenty children enrolled.

In 1881, a small group of Lutherans who had settled in the area that would later become Orange agreed to organize themselves into a congregation.

In 1882, the St John’s Lutheran Church constitution was signed by 13 charter members, and a Lutheran school opened its doors to nine pupils.

In 1883, an old school house was purchased and served as both church and school.

As God worked through his people the congregation and school continued to grow and in 1884 it was necessary to call a full-time teacher to assist Rev.

Since 1886, St John’s Lutheran Church has been blessed to offer a program of quality education in a Christ-centered environment through the ministry of its school.

By 1888 the school had outgrown the church annex and a new two-story, two-classroom building was constructed south of the church for a cost of $3,000.

Morey Mansion, built in 1890, in Redlands, California.

It was replaced by a second Raymond Hotel in 1903.* Water and Power Associates

By 1913, it was clear that there was a need for a larger house of worship and potential future growth.

The landmark brick sanctuary now used by St John's Lutheran Church was originally dedicated on July 19, 1914 and seated 1,100 worshippers.

In the 1920’s the congregation gradually transitioned to English.

In 1927, Walker Hall was built, thanks to a bequest from the family of Charles K. Walker.

In 1929, the corner of Almond and Shaffer was acquired for a new, larger school (now called Building A). The following year, St John's established its first Sunday School classes.

Our current building was originally dedicated in 1937, but has undergone many additions and expansions over the years.

Our congregation has been strongly committed to providing high-quality Christian education to children in the area, with the establishment of St John Lutheran School in 1943.

On September 18, 1944 the school underwent a formal rededication.

“American soldiers attend Mass in March 1945 in the bombed cathedral of Cologne (via LIFE)”

However, in 1950 the congregation had already begun preparing to build a new facility by purchasing the land at the southeast corner of Harwood and Dewey from the Charles Fingado estate for $20,000.

The enrollment jumped from 41 to 62 students, necessitating a second classroom. It was early in 1956 that the school hot lunch program first existed, managed single-handedly by Mrs.

In 1957, the wing on the right was expanded

The Sunday of September 7, 1958 was an important day for St John's.

22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated by a sniper as he rode in a motorcade through Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas, seated next to his wife.

As God worked through his people the congregation and school continued to grow and in 1884 it was necessary to call a full-time teacher to assist Rev. Thus, in 2001 the congregation of St John’s once again began preparing to construct a new school and initiated the Rooted and Growing campaign.

Our new educational facility opened in the fall of 2003 so that God’s children, rooted and growing in the Gospel, may go forward and with their lives bear fruit for the Kingdom.