CONNOQUENESSING — Parishioners at St. John’s Lutheran Church celebrate a milestone next month.

The church, off Route 68 in Connoquenessing, will mark its 125th anniversary in September.

The church has a long history and has withstood the test of time, which its members believe is due to the small but charismatic congregation.

“We are a very active small congregation,” said Jim Shearer, a member of the church.

Shearer was married in St. John’s in 1963 and has been a member ever since.

“We have a ‘Cause of the Month,’” Shearer said. This program highlights a different cause for the congregation to donate to every month.

“Every December, we choose a family from the Salvation Army and collect gifts for them,” said Randy Hughes, who has attended the church his whole life.

“We do soup dinners from time to time with the congregation,” said the Rev. Gary Brown, pastor. “We also do worship services outside.”

It was through necessity that the church got its start.

In 1886, Connoquenessing area residents Peter and Magdalena Burr rallied their friends and neighbors to the need for a local Lutheran Church due to the inconvenience of traveling to churches in Butler or Evans City.

After the untimely death of Peter Burr in 1886, Magdalena Burr took on the cause, which led to the building of St. John’s Lutheran Church and a cemetery, where her husband is buried.

On Sept. 4, 1887, the cornerstone of the church was laid with the Rev. L. Wagner and the Rev. Cronenwett preaching. “One pastor preached in German and the other in English,” Brown said.

The new church building was dedicated on April 24, 1888.

Over the years, the church has seen a few modifications, but still maintains the same look it had when it was built 125 years ago. Much of the interior is original, including the stained-glass windows.

Not original to the church is the basement, which was added in two parts. In 1914, a portion of the basement was added to allow for a coal-fired furnace. Later in 1945, a full basement was added allowing for a new space for Sunday school.

In April 1939, additional acreage was purchased to allow for more parking and additional room for the cemetery. Members also made the entrance wheelchair accessible and are using the original stone stairs as benches in the front of the church.

Today, St. John’s is a small congregation of about 30 people. “There is a spirit that has held this congregation together,” Brown said.

Parishioners come from all over the area. Two couples even travel from the Pittsburgh area to attend church on Sundays.

“We have a couple from the North Side and a couple from Allison Park,” Brown said.

For one of the couples, it has become tradition to go to the Butler Farmers Market and attend church at St. John’s on Sundays. “They said it feels like home,” Brown said.

For some of the parishioners, St. John’s has been their only church. Craig Hughes, council president, said, “This is the only church I’ve known.”

Another parishioner, Marcella Johnston, has been attending the church for more than 90 years.

“My brother was one of three men from the church to go to be a pastor,” she said.

Since 1888, St. John’s Lutheran Church has had about 30 pastors preach in front of the congregation.

Most recently that has been Brown, who has served the church for 13 years.

“I was ordained 45 years ago,” Brown said. “I have always served small congregations.” He said he enjoys the family atmosphere of a smaller parish.

“A lot of churches that you go into are quiet and somber,” Shearer said. This is not the case at St. John’s. Shearer said the congregation chats like old friends who have not seen each other in a long time.

The congregation is planning a celebration for its 125th anniversary. The celebration will be Sept. 8, and begin with a service at 11 a.m. at the church.

The parishioners will be meeting after the service to exchange stories and the history of St. John’s.

There also will be a catered luncheon. To join in the festivities, call Randy Hughes at the church at 724-789-7421.

According to Brown, “People who are looking for answers come here and experience the peace of God.”