St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church
- Yen Ho
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
The St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church was one of the churches in Ambler that played a huge role in the community. A place to worship is something the community needs, in hope to bring people together. Thanks to the efforts from everyone in Ambler, the St. John's Lutheran Church was officially established.
Early History
Before the church was built, there was a home that stands next to the church that was owned by long-time resident William Baum (1823-1905). His parents lived near Fitzwatertown for many years until they moved to Penllyn. His brother Henry later purchased the farm that was west of his parents' homestead, and William lived with him to assist at his farm. That farm was sold to Henry G. Keasbey, and Henry lived with William after he settled in Ambler.
In the 1860s, William moved to Ambler where he purchased four lots at the corner of Ridge Avenue and Water Street (now Race Street), and built a "substantial" stone house. In the mid 1890s, his sister Rose and her husband purchased his entire property, and lived with him until his death in 1905. His home would become the parsonage of the St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Fun Fact # 1: His home was considered the 5th home built during Ambler's growing town. It was even designated a Montgomery County Historical Landmark with a plaque.
The St. John's Lutheran Church was an outgrowth from a Sabbath school that was organized by Reverend Samuel F. Tholan (1869-1939) on January 13, 1907. Reverend Tholan, who was a pastor at the Upper Dublin Lutheran Church, moved to Ambler in 1905. He was a graduate of Gettysburg College and the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg. He began his ministry in Hampstead, Maryland for three years until being called to be the pastor in Upper Dublin in 1904.
He became the first pastor of the new St. John's Lutheran church on July 1, 1908 after moving to Ambler. The first preaching service was held on September 29, 1907, and the church was organized on April 27, 1908. Services were held at the Ambler Opera House.
One year after the church was organized, the congregation purchased the former Baum lot for $4,500. The corner stone was laid on June 8, 1912, and it was occupied one year later on February 23, 1913.
Lyman Rohr
Outside in the front yard of the parsonage is a memorial bronze plaque dedicated to the members of the church who served in the World War I. One of the soldiers' listed is Lyman Rohr (1892-1918), who died in action. Lyman was a charismatic man who was well liked by the Ambler community. He was a member of the Wissahickon Fire Company; a painter and paperhanger by trade.
He enlisted when the US entered World War I. He was stationed at Camp Hancock in Georgia, and then went overseas to France. He was in company A, 103d engineers, which was changed to infantry in France.
On July 17, 1918, during the Second Battle of the Marne, Lyman was wounded in an explosion, and died later from it. He was only 26 years old.
His burial ground is located at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial.
Fun Fact # 2: Lyman was the church's former Sunday school librarian.
St. John's Closure
The St. John's Lutheran church held their final service on March 31, 2019 due to its declining membership.
The church contributed aide during catastrophic events by going on mission trips to support victims who were affected by Hurricane Katrina and AIDS/HIV orphans in Ethiopia. They also supported local organizations like the Inter-Faith Housing Alliance in Ambler, Habitat for Humanity and the Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard.
Bibliography
"40 Years In Ambler." Ambler Gazette. February 23, 1905. Page 8. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_2597.
"Ambler News." Ambler Gazette. August 11, 1927. Page 6. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_16169.
Keeler, Bob. "St. John’s Lutheran Church in Ambler closes." The Reporter. Last modified September 24, 2021. https://www.thereporteronline.com/2019/04/01/st-johns-lutheran-church-in-ambler-closes/.
"Lutherans' New Edifice." Ambler Gazette. March 6, 1913. Page 1. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_9784.
"Lyman Rohr Died From Wounds." Ambler Gazette. August 22, 1918. Page 5. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_6386.
"Maintaining Standards." Ambler Gazette. April 28, 1904. Page 1. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_2189.
Mueller, A. H. Atlas of the North Penn Section of Montgomery County, Pa., Plate 26, 1916.
"Pennsylvania WW1 Related Locations." The United States World War One Centannial Commission. Accessed December 28, 2024. https://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/pennsylvania-ww1-related-locations.html.
Quattrone, Frank D. Ambler. (Charleston: Arcadia Publishing, 2004): 57-59.
"Rev. Tholan Is Installed." Ambler Gazette. December 3, 1908. Page 1. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_4824.
Scott, J. D. Montgomery County 1877, Gwynedd, North Wales, Ambler, Royer's Ford, Limerick Station, 1877.
"St. John's Ev. Lutheran." Ambler Gazette. April 30, 1908. Page 4. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_4525.
"The Corner Stone Is Laid." Ambler Gazette. June 13, 1912. Page 1. https://digitalarchives.powerlibrary.org/papd/islandora/object/papd%3Awivp-gazett_9874.
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