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DEDICATE ST. JOHN'S CHURCH DECEMBER 16 (Continued from page 1) Lutheran church are traced back to the summer of 1893, when an Evanston pastor was called to establish a mission in the village. The first service was held in a real estate office on Central avenue, just east of the Chicago and North Western tracks. In 1896, Rev. F. Knief, then assistant pastor of a Chicago parish, took over the work here and succeeded in organizing congregation. Meetings were transferred to McDaniel's hall on West Railroad avenue and a little later to the old Library hall on the northwest corner of Wilmette and Central avenues. From 1898 to 1902 the congregation met in the Methodist church at Lake avenue and Eleventh street, and later at Jones Hall, Wilmette and West Railroad avenue.<br><br> <b>Encounter Dark Days</b><br> Dark days were experienced in 1902 when the pastor, Rev. B. Burfeind, was taken ill, and the little flock simply disbanded, its various members affiliating with neighboring Lutheran churches. Practically nothing was done to foster the mission until 1903 when Rev. Matthius was requested to make another attempt with the unfortunate mission. By virtue of his unwavering interest the congretation was again organized in November of 1903 and formally adopted a constitution, also making a request for a vicar who could give all his time to the work of the parish. This move brought F. H. Kretzschmar to the village. Under his progressive ministrations the field developed almost from " a mere preaching station into a real mission." The work prospered beyond expectations, so that when Mr. Kretzschmar left in November, 1904, to resume his studies at Springfield Seminary, the congregation decided to call its own pastor.<br><br> <b>Enter new church</b><br> Rev. Victor Richter became the first resident pastor in March of 1905. Soon after, the congregation purchased the site at Linden and Prairie avenues, services at that time being held in the Wilmette Free Public Library. The corner stone of the church was laid in the fall of 1906. Rev. F. W. G. Mueller became the pastor in 1910 and the congretation enjoyed a period of encouraging prosperity under his direction. <br> Mr. Mueller resignedin February, 1923, after inducing the churchto become self-suupporting.<br> Rev. Herman W. Meyer was called to the local pastorate on April 13, 1913, and through his tireless energy and devotion to service, the church has become one of hte potent influences for good in the village. It has been largely through his efforts that the congregation finds itself about to enter one of the most beautiful church homes on the north shore, an example of the Gothic art, perhaps unrivalled in this vicinity.