Our Proud Past
In 1864, in the prairie lands surrounding the future town of Beecher, St. John German Evangelical Church was established with 18 Charter members.  During the ensuing years, our church family grew and in 1934 the Evangelical and Reformed Churches merged, combining the traditions and beliefs of both denominations.  As we continued to grow in membership and faith, the E&R Church merged with the Congregational Church in 1961.  The union of these denominations, based on their shared belief in Jesus Christ as the head of the church, created the United Church of Christ.

Throughout our church history, we have been a congregation firmly rooted in the premise that we are all God's children.  "That all may Be One", is not only the official motto of the United Church of Christ, but has long been the foundation upon which St. John has continued to build.  Our church members have had an active role in not only witnessing to others about the love, power and grace of God, but also in providing faithful service to others in our congregation, community, nation and the world.  Ours is a history rich with tradition, but with the courage, strength, faith, understanding and ability to adapt time-honored beliefs and practices to face the challenges of an ever-changing world.

We have enjoyed 140 years of worship, witnessing, and faithful service to God.  But, our history has only just begun.  We pray that Gold will continue to help us spread the good of Jesus Christ and bless our efforts in the future as God has in the past.