St John Lutheran, Williston

These lovely photos were graciously supplied by Penny Timm, who was at the church last weekend for a wedding (note the bridal "limo"!). I have never seen this church, although I knew that the church was instrumental in starting the Luther Home of Mercy (to be exact, Pastor Max Schleicher, who served the church from 1913 to 1934, founded the home in 1928 and became its full-time director after resigning from the pulpit). http://www.lutherhome.org/history.htm The church's timeline is literally woven through their buildings. Three cornerstones are visible here: The one from their original church, built in 1884 (at the time, Salem's pastor would either ride or WALK the 15 muddy miles from Toledo to Williston!). This can be seen on their history page. The stone from 1915 marks when their current sanctuary was first built. In 1966, the rear of the sanctuary was reconstructed with the beautiful amber window seen here, as well as the entranceway, bell tower, and Sunday school wing to boot! Around the corner is another stone, dated 1951; at which time the building was extended, and a quintessentially-early-50's chancel was built on (was that entire cruciform built on at that time?).
http://www.stjohnwilliston.org/History.htm

View of the apse and transepts from the back ...

The right-hand side of the building, lovely old windows visible ...

An impressive view from the balcony ...

... and the bride's-eye view from the back of the nave.

These marvelous windows and ornate beams mark the earliest parts of the nave, while the chancel is pure early-50's neogothic. I'd love a closer look ...

This is some of the most unusual modern stained glass I've seen (which, I've been informed from two different sources, is not stained glass at all but is probably onyx) ...

Thanks, Penny, for the photos!