Our Historical Roots

The origin of the Farmington Evangelical Lutheran Church congregation dates back to March 1902, when Danish immigrants founded St. John’s (Johannes) Danish Evangelical Church in Eureka Township. A cemetery was organized at the same time. In 1903, a consecrated house of worship was built next to the cemetery. In 1913, the congregation purchased the former Catholic church building at 104 Elm St. in the tiny village of Farmington and moved there.

One year later, in 1914, several English-speaking families organized St. Luke’s English Lutheran Church. This new congregation rented space in the St. John’s building. In the early years, both churches were served by pastors from nearby villages or by seminary students.

In 1932, when English became the predominant language used in both churches, St. John’s and St. Luke’s voted to merge into one congregation. Church leaders believed their work in the community would be more effective if they joined together.

The combined church continued to worship at 104 Elm St. until the early 1940s, when the need for a larger building became clear. In 1945, 13 families bought and donated two lots at the corner of Fifth and Walnut Streets.

Construction of a parish hall began in fall 1947 and was completed with mostly volunteer labor. In 1950, the congregation decided to retain an architect to draw up plans for a church building. Members working at night did much carpentry work. A two-day “bee” finished the roof. The building was partially financed with “blood money,” raised by members who traveled to the blood bank at the medical complex in Rochester to donate blood. The new church, connected to the parish hall by a two-story tower, was dedicated June 10, 1941.

The community and congregation grew over the years. In 1974, the original parish hall was demolished. It was replaced with a large narthex, fellowship hall, kitchen, fireside room, nursery and eight classrooms. In 1983, the sanctuary was enlarged and remodeled.

Experiencing rapid growth in the next 15 years, the congregation began to explore options for expansion. In 2000, the congregation purchased 17.7 acres of land at 20600 Akin Rd. Construction of a new facility began in fall 2003 at the new site. The art glass cross, stained glass windows and hammered copper light fixtures were carefully removed from the former building for installation in the new church. It was dedicated in July 2004. The education wing, which had only been enclosed when the church facility was built, was completed in late 2005 primarily with volunteer labor.

In 2007, Farmington Lutheran is observing the 75th anniversary of the merger of St. John’s and St. Luke’s. From its humble beginnings as a tiny country congregation, Farmington Lutheran Church has grown to more than 2,000 baptized members today.