Saint John's Evangelical Lutheran Church

(Country church address outside town near Le Mars, Iowa)
Craig, IA 51031

(Craig is in Plymouth County Iowa near the northwest part of the state on the Nebraska border.)
Builder: Reuter Organ Co., Op. 473, 1935.
Manuals: 2
Ranks: 6
Action: Electro-pneumatic

Notes: In the year 1911 the families of Craig desired to start a congregation and have their own church property. Since the funds were not available, they used the Eastman schoolhouse.

In Feb. 1911, an abandoned Methodist church building was purchased for $650 and in May it was moved to where the present church is located.

In 1916 the debt on the church property was paid in full with the help of the Ladies Aid and Luther League.

In 1924 construction was begun on the new church. The entire cost of the of the church was $25,000.

In 1927 the congregation adopted the articles of incorporation. The church council drew up rules and regulations for the maintenance of the cemetery.

In 1935 a Reuter pipe organ was installed.

The interior of the church was decorated in 1940 at a cost of $900. The exterior of the church and the church parlors were painted and new linoleum purchased for the church aisles. Because of the improvements a special reconsecration was held.

In 1942 the congregation became a member of the American Lutheran Church.

The 25th anniversary of the dedication of the church was observed in 1949. A Wandscheer furnace was purchased and also carpeting for the chancel and sacristy and rubber tile laid in the narthex of the church. The Senior Choir purchased new robes with the aid of memorials. The kitchen was enlarged and remodeled.

Organ Chris Leaver (Reuter factory) and Historical Society as of 2005.