German settlers in North Baltimore County founded St. John’s in November of 1849; the first congregation of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in the state of Maryland. In its early history St. John’s was served by a pastor who also served two other area churches – St. Paul’s in Kingsville and St. Peters in the Sarah’s Furnace area of Harford County (which disbanded in 1858). Initially, people worshiped in each other's homes until a small log church was built in 1855 at 3800 Dance Mill Road in a section of Baltimore County known as Blenheim.
A larger church building was constructed at the same location in 1873 to support the growing congregation, and today is the site of the cemetery. The congregation originally worshipped and taught solely in German, adding some English services in 1877 and 1900, making a complete transition English after World War I. The current church building was constructed at the intersection of Manor, Hydes, and Dulaney Valley Roads in 1962, with additions constructed in 1976 and 2003. Over its long history, St. John's has had only 16 pastors.
St. John’s Lutheran School began as one Kindergarten class in the basement of the parsonage in September, 1955, which grew and was eventually moved into the church building. In 1968, when Baltimore County began providing free kindergarten with bus service, St. John’s transitioned to a four-year-old preschool program, which later expanded to include classes for children from ages two to five. In 2008 the Kindergarten program was reestablished.
Music is a special blessing of the Lord, and St. John's has proclaimed praise through a variety of musical groups over the years: St. John's Choir (from ages 14 and up); the "Blenheim Transfer," which sings in seven part harmony; the Angel Choir (ages 3 - 2nd grade); and the Praisemakers (children in grades 3-8), a contemporary worship praise team, as well as adult and youth handbell choirs.
St. John's has actively supported the local Lutheran associations of Baltimore Lutheran School, the Augsburg Lutheran Home and Village, the Lutheran Mission Society, and LINC Baltimore. There has been strong support for the outreach ministries of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, including missionaries of Lutheran World Mission, the Lutheran Hour, Concordia College in Bronxville, the Lutheran Laymen's League, the Lutheran Women's Missionary League, and Lutheran World Relief.
We look forward to continue reaching out with the Gospel throughout the coming years!