This photo is from an old postcard, taken at a time when those two huge pines by the front door were little things ...
Here's how it looks now ...
St. John's Lutheran in Oak Harbor was founded in 1869, a progression of First Lutheran Church which was started in 1867. This magnificent building was erected in 1926-1927, and dedicated on November 6, 1927. 
The left transept and tower.
I love this lacy detailing ... it carries all the way through the church, on the windows and the woodwork.
The apse ...
An unusual cornerstone ...
Stone angel near the front door ...
As you enter the church through this screen at the back of the nave--
This is what you see!
Amazing pointed barrel vaulting ...
Stone arcades with Gothic arches give it a cloistered feel ...
Stone arcades with Gothic arches give it a cloistered feel ...
These windows were installed during the 1970's and are such a story in and of themselves that I'll give them their own post!
A view back from the steps of the chancel. The church seats around 1000.
Some breathtaking views from the balcony - and a closer look at those ceiling beams!
Some breathtaking views from the balcony - and a closer look at those ceiling beams!
The church underwent a remodeling in the late 1940's. I don't know for sure, but I'm speculating that maybe this altar and wall paneling were installed at that time. This altar is so characteristic of late 40's-early 50's neo-Gothic. It's gorgeous and carries the theme of that lacy detailing perfectly.
There's just something spellbinding about this ...
Note the rollaway Communion table. These are seeing increasing use. They're less expensive and more flexible than installing a free-standing altar ... and HIGHLY preferable to (warning: I'm about to repeat myself) ripping out beautiful old altars and coming in with a plain, sterile slab of something that flies in the face of the church's historic character - especially a church like THIS!!
This dome over the altar is wonderful ...
Interesting narrow base supporting this pulpit.
This font is a show-stopper!! Perhaps it was the inspiration for that pulpit ...
Fantastic!
Woodwork detailing on the lectern ...
... and lacy carved vines on the communion rail.
Lovely Christmas angel tucked away in a storage area for now ...
Someone did a nice needlework rendering of Christ Pantocrator, complete with pearl accents (!), as a Bible cover ...
These painted details seen on the edges of the vault ribs, carry up and over on all the ceiling vaults, and give them a textured appearance ...
Very unique processional cross with Martin Luther's seal!
The church secretary was exceptionally accommodating and very helpful. She gave me some historical material to work with, including a booklet written by the designer of the stained glass windows, describing each window. That's next ...
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