ST. JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL
CHARTER OAK
This is the first school built in 1902. It was 22 feet by 36 feet with an 8x8 foot entry. It was located across the street from the present school building. When a larger school was needed this school was sold and became a house. Mike Hageman lived there for many years.The present school building was built in 1920 for $43,000.
What became St. John Lutheran church in Charter Oak
originally met in homes up in Hanover Twp. When the group got too big to be in homes, worship moved into the "Timm School" - which was located on the NW corner of the intersection 2 miles East of St Paul's Cemetery (Ricketts highway)
In about 1889 the railroad land agent (IRRL) made a challenge to the Lutheran Church worshippers - a piece of land within the city limits of Charter Oak for free (cheap or at filing fee?) - but they had to build some sort of worship hall on it within 1 year. The congregation accepted the challenge and did manage to get a worship hall erected within that 1 year period. It once sat about where the parsonage garage is today. Two building came to be - the 1st wooden church and a small wood framed Lutheran Church.
In the photo on the left the edge of the church can be seen and the darker Lutheran School on the right.
The new brick school was built across the road from the older smaller wood frame school - shown on right of photo above - was sold and moved to 324 Cedar, refurbished a bit, but there on used as a residential house.
Indeed the roof line (6/12 pitch) and a few other details that still exist today all confirm it to be the same building - just moved.
When one considers all the buildings that got moved in the early days of from about 1871 to about 1905 - no wonder that Charter Oak had to have its own house moving company - "Ruchti-Rademacher House Movers" company of Charter Oak.
From "Iowa State Gazetteer and Business Directory, Volume 17" of 1914
Source - photo album kept in the church archive center
This information was Prepared and Contributed by Brent Friedrichs (Class of 1978),
Missionary and Director Missionary Support - Global Lutheran Outreach
SEE ALSO:
St. John Lutheran Church of Charter Oak
Death Records 1890-2018
Baptism Records 1890-2019
Marriage Records 1890-2018
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