St. John's History

A Brief History of

St. John’s Lutheran Church

Sweet Air

The land on which St. John‘s stands was part of a land grant to Charles Carroll, who came to America in 1688. The family erected the Sweet Air estate from which the area gets its name. After 1835, the land was opened to new settlers.

Originally named Dutch Lutheran Church called St. John’s, the name was later changed to St. John’s Lutheran Church of Sweet Air, to reflect the surrounding community.

The first chapel was a log structure erected in 1855 near the two large oak trees along Sweet Air road. It included sheds for horses during inclement weather. The present Chapel, dedicated in 1888, has a sturdy nature and beautiful stained glass windows. It offers a serene setting for meditation, worship and special services. Part of the Chapel complex includes the Youth Center and community Coffee House.

The more modern main sanctuary has been our worship center since 1963. Sunday worship celebrations are at 8:15, 9:30, and 11:00 am. The 9:30 service is contemporary and led by the Praise-4-Him band. The lobby, Christian Education areas and the Fellowship Hall, built in 1988, are used for many church activities and community functions. If you do not have a church home, we extend a warm welcome to you. Please join us in worship and see if St. John’s Sweet Air can minister to your spiritual needs.