Teachers of St. John’s Lutheran School

St. John’s Lutheran Church had its own parish school from the founding of the congregation through 1952. The school was conducted in the church building at Second and Van Buren until 1885, when a separate building was built facing Van Buren Street. A room was added in 1888.

In the course of time, the school building became inadequate and the congregation took steps to acquire a modern school. In 1919, three lots were purchased at Fourth and Harrison for the sum of $4,400 which is equivalent to about $57,000 in 2006. On October 29, 1922, the new school was dedicated. It cost about $21,000 which is equivalent to about $229,000 in 2006.

A third classroom was utilized in 1943, and a fourth classroom in 1944. A fifth classroom became necessary in 1948. Bus service was begun and a hot-lunch program was put into effect. Once again, the school became too small to accommodate the children wanting entrance.

In 1949, St. John’s bought a large plot of ground at Seventh and Roosevelt for a cost of about $19,000 which is equivalent to some $154,000 in 2006. The architect firm of Greist and Ekdahl was engaged to draft plans for a new school. At St. John’s invitation, St. John’s and her daughter congregations, St. Paul’s, Faith, and Hope, formed the Lutheran School Association of Topeka to which St. John’s donated the property at Seventh and Roosevelt. The Association was formally organized on July 3, 1951. Plans for the new school building were accepted by the Association and the general contract was awarded to David Keller. Building operations began early in the fall of 1951. The completed building for Topeka Lutheran School was dedicated to the glory of God on September 7, 1952. Thus, in the fall of 1952, St. John’s Lutheran School ceased to exist and the building was sold. For a time it became a place where ballet was taught and later was remodeled as an apartment building with the name Johannes Arms, the name “Johannes” being the name of St. John’s in the German language.

Those who taught in St. John’s Lutheran School (and a few also in Topeka Lutheran School) are given here: