1856-57: A group of German Lutheran immigrants left Connecticut in search of a new life. Kansas, being a free area, was inviting to them. With their firm belief in God, prayers and persistence, they headed west as free-state settlers. They made their homes in eastern Kansas near a settlement named after Baron von Humboldt. The early settlers endured many hardships, illness and drought. The settlers’ faith in God kept them going through these trials and tribulations. During the next few years, other Lutheran families migrated to the area. Services were conducted in various homes, as they had no minister and no church.
1863: A group of thirteen families sent a call to Pastor F. W. Lange, who was the first Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) pastor in Kansas, serving near Junction City. Pastor Lange accepted the call. St. Peter’s became the third Lutheran congregation to be organized in Kansas.
1866: St. Peter’s first house of worship, at the corner of Tenth and Pecan Streets, was dedicated and was the second Lutheran church built in Kansas.
1903: A new church building was erected at the same location (10th and Pecan). To serve other Lutheran settlers in the area, the pastor traveled to towns as close as Iola and Chanute and as far away as Fort Scott, Independence and Paola, KS.
1942: Some St. Peter’s members were released to help organize Zion Lutheran Church in Chanute, KS.
1949: More members were released to help organize Grace Lutheran Church in Iola, KS.
1959: The present church was built at Tenth and Amos Streets.
