A hardcover history containing historical photographs and details is available from the church office.
I'm amazed at what the congregation has done in this relatively short
period in the life of a church. Things don't happen this fast in every
congregation.
Otto Kunelius
The Finnish people were, and still are, proud of their heritage and homeland. Domination by Sweden resulted in oppression through heavy taxes and conscription into military service, leading to misery and death. Russia gained dominion over Finland in 1809 under the Treaty of Hamina, and Czar Alexander granted Finns more autonomy. Growing class distinction, banning of the Finnish language in courts and schools, and other discriminatory rules remained, and resulted in a Finnish nationalist movement. Czar Nicholas began a period of severe Finnish suppression in 1894 that resulted in an increased flow of emigration to America.
Assabet Mills was built in Maynard, Massachusetts in 1846, and was a magnet for immigrants seeking a new life. Finns, Italians, Polish, Russian, Irish, English, and Scottish people each lived in separate areas, earning five dollars a week at the mills while working from six in the morning until six at night. The Finnish population grew since Finns became known as good workers who were industrious, active, and dependable. The Lutheran Church was the state church in Finland, and the Finnish immigrants retained their Lutheran heritage as well as their interest in Communist or Socialist groups.
Inspired by a Bible salesman named John Lattinen, members of the Finnish community in Maynard gathered in August 1894 for an outdoor worship service and picnic in a pine grove on the banks of the Mill Pond, near the present St. Bridget's church. The enthusiasm that developed led to the start of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Maynard, Massachusetts. Women prepared picnic baskets that were sold at auction, and those funds were the first treasury of the new church. Services were held once a month in private homes by Pastor John Nissila of the Fitchburg Lutheran Congregation. Keeping a Pastor was difficult. Clergy were recruited from Finland with mixed success. Members persevered, convinced Pastor Nissila to move to Maynard, and the first constitution was adopted in August 7, 1902.
Although everything had run smoothly at first, bitter battles raged once the congregation acquired property. The building committee raised $38.95, and proposed that 200 men each contribute five dollars for additional seed money. Property at 18-20 Glendale Street in Maynard, priced at $700, was purchased in conjunction with the Alku Temperance Society, with whom the church had cooperated for years. Struggles continued over fund raising and bank loans, resulting in monthly replacement of the building committee chairperson, and the eventual resignation of Pastor Nissila. Construction by local Finn day laborers finally began on June 24, 1907 and was completed on November 17, 1907 at a final cost of $7,894. Although the local economy was good, a shortfall of $3,100 remained.
The church accepted loans without interest, and every Finn in Maynard was probably owed five dollars or more. A stock market crash resulted in tightening by the banks. An economic depression caused panic, and some returned to Finland, first demanding repayment of their loans. The South Acton Lumber Yard loaned $3,475 that paid the laborers, but there were no funds to repay individual loans. There was constant change in church officials, and members tried to pay back the loans, learned to sacrifice, and hoped that salvation would come somehow.
Although the congregation survived, tension continued over an ongoing proposal to join the Suomi Synod. Many feared loss of autonomy, and adoption of Suomi Synod bylaws with only a one vote margin on April 5, 1909 caused some members to leave. They not only demanded repayment of their loans, but also took legal action to reclaim the church building. A Lowell Superior Court ruling entrusted the church property to those who remained. Estranged members acquired the old Grange Hall in Stow and eventually became the Mt. Calvary Church presently located in Action. The Maynard church survived the many difficulties, and was a founding congregation when the Eastern Conference of Suomi Synod was established for the region from New York to Maine. Annual conferences were usually held in Maynard. Cooperation with the Alku Temperance Society ended with a dispute over a stage for its dramatic events.
Life became more peaceful for the small group who enthusiastically worked together more closely. Although church income was low, and the small, poor church was under financial duress, members trusted that a better day would come. Pastor Kuusi of Worcester, and later Pastor Gabriel Lipsanen, provided key guidance, and church activities continued in peace and understanding. Building loans remained, and repayment was aided by loans from the Allston-Brighton Church and from the Hudson Cooperative Bank. Impatient Finnish creditors instituted legal action that was settled using funds loaned by a member of the congregation. Income was fifteen or twenty-five cents a month collected by visits to members.
Pastor Alpo Setala provided key leadership when he arrived in 1913. He attracted young people, many of whom had recently arrived from Finland and spoke no English. He helped to form a choir, mostly from young adults, that has been in existence ever since. District evangelical and youth festivals were popular, and a Christian Youth League was founded in Maynard and at sister congregations. Travel to these congregations was popular, but inconvenient, and members recall once spending the night at Boston's North Station.
Christian education began with Confirmation classes for children of Finnish parents. Confirmation followed a public examination and was a very festive occasion. The young people then received their first communion; an even more special event since communion was only served once or twice each year. Sunday School was organized in 1906, before which students and teachers had been sent to the Finnish Evangelical Mission Congregational Church. Summer schools were conducted in the Finnish language in four week sessions.
A men's handicraft club took over maintenance of the church property. Women voted and had a strong influence on the church, serving in many official and unofficial capacities. Saturday night events were the main entertainment for children and adults. Tables were set up in the vestry for homemade dinners followed by the sale of handmade aprons, baked goods, and other items for the benefit of the church. They even had a gambling wheel, often spun by one of the old, rigid church members.
Membership grew to 225 based upon the 2,200 Finnish inhabitants of Maynard. Pastor Kantonen was called to lead the congregation amid a thriving economy. The Annual National Convention of Suomi Synod was held in Maynard in 1926. After more disputes and legal action, a parsonage was built adjacent to the church in 1928 at a cost of $6,181.67. Timing was poor, since a depression came to Maynard. The unoccupied parsonage was rented for $35 per month, but the renter fell behind in his payments. Church membership declined, the organist was owed money, mission activities were suspended, the coal bill was unpaid, and the pastor's salary was reduced. Emergency procedures were developed in case membership dropped below ten people. Pastor Kantonen left to become a professor at the Hamma Divinity School.
Gradually the small Finnish congregation suffered through the great depression of 1932, functioned without a pastor, survived the rejections of many pastoral calls, and experienced the fears and sorrows of World War II. Members cut wood, and also donated produce to the church that were sold to townspeople. The sanctuary was rented to groups for two dollars; the church hall for three dollars. Spiritual needs were met without a pastor as the congregation managed to hold monthly services as well as festivals at Thanksgiving and Christmas. The 40th anniversary was celebrated in 1933 by 130 members as the church became debt free. The choir was especially active, and Sunday picnics were highlights of the summer. A morning outdoor worship service was followed by ethnic food and then games.
Pastors had been key to progress in the congregation, but only temporary or shared clergy were available to the congregation. Many attempts to fill the full-time vacancy were rejected. War broke out in Finland, further complicating the search, but seminarian Bernhard Hillila accepted a call and arrived on July 19, 1941, ending the five-year search for a pastor. Pastor Hillila introduced English services in addition to the regular Finnish services; a milestone. The Youth League thrived under this young, energetic pastor, who was followed by Pastor Arvo Niskanen. He and Mrs. Niskanen became the first ministerial family to occupy the parsonage in 1943.
Services in English continued, and Pastor Niskanen became the scoutmaster for a local troop that met in the church. Kindergarten classes were conducted in English instead of Finnish by 1944, and all organizations used English except for the Ladies' Aid. Minutes of congregational meetings continued to be written in Finnish until 1952. Finnish was not translated when someone spoke, but English was translated when it was used. Members who did not speak Finnish were often uncomfortable with these procedures. Townspeople still treated the congregation as a Finnish church. The Finnish to English transition was a long and troublesome process. While people knew it was necessary, it was still difficult to break with tradition.
The congregation celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 1944 as the end of World War II drew near. Membership had grown to 225, the parsonage mortgage was burned, and the name was legally changed to St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Employment in the mill began to decline, and the congregation once again experienced financial difficulties. Pastor Niskanen resigned in 1947. Strong lay leadership provided continuity until Pastor Eino Vehanen of Finland accepted a call that offered a monthly salary of $135, a parsonage, and $100 for moving expenses.
The town of Maynard became depressed after World War II as the woolen mill gradually moved south and finally closed in 1950. Manufacturing was gone, and nothing took its place until companies such as Bradley Container, Beacon Press, Dennison, and a startup, Digital Equipment Corporation, rented space in the mill complex. Population increased as the high-tech industry expanded, bringing a diversity of professionals into the community.
Children of the Finnish immigrants were now parents themselves. The church had always supported education, and many children attended college and entered the professional world. The church had many pastor's who served St. John's while obtaining advanced degrees at nearby colleges or universities. The congregation supported Weekly Bible studies, Luther League, the Bethany Sisters, the Lutheran Brotherhood (formerly the Men's Handicraft Group), and the addition of an electronic Wurlitzer organ.
The congregation was always eager to welcome visitors, and opened their doors to new members of the community. In 1956, with the help of World Church Agencies, the congregation assisted the Klein family in their move to Maynard from Soviet occupied East Germany. The Katona family also moved from there just before construction of the Berlin Wall. Both families became faithful members of St. John's. The Suomi Synod merged with the Swedish Augustana Synod, the German United Lutheran Church, and others to form the Lutheran Church in America. The result was changes in almost every phase of congregational life, de-emphasizing national backgrounds of the different churches.
Membership growth was still a problem. Attendance at English services was 75 in 1959, and only 20 attended the now-monthly Finnish service. Although remodeling brightened the church on Glendale Street, the long flight of steep stairs remained a formidable obstacle to aging members. Young people no longer regarded the church as the center of life. Very few new people moving to the area came to St. John's. Pastor Rintala was convinced that it was necessary to relocate in order to survive and grow, but the congregation was opposed and he resigned. Under the guidance of the New England Synod, the congregation called Dr. H. Allison Linne who had considerable experience in building new churches.
The Rev. Dr. Linne was assertive, thorough and determined. In September of 1965, one month after his arrival, he notified the Church Council that land was available at the intersection of Route 117 and North Road in Sudbury. The congregation acquired the land, a finance committee was elected to raise funds, and a building committee was formed. After consideration of various proposals, a plan submitted by Creative Builders of Illinois was unanimously accepted. The cost of $195,000 exceeded expectations, requiring additional pledges to the building fund, the sale of bonds, and a $130,000 mortgage, in addition to $10,000 from the sale of the Glendale Street Church. Tense moments resulted from cost overruns, delayed building fund pledge income, and reluctance by the lending institution to cover the unexpected gaps. Second and third mortgages from other lenders were arranged, and construction was completed by the fall of 1967.
Meanwhile, a private party donated a large, thirty-two rank pipe organ to replace the 18 year old electronic organ. A local, Finnish nurseryman donated shrubs for landscaping, members planted grass, painted, and provided electrician and carpentry skills. The father of a member made the altar cross, and a member made the altar and balcony railing and supports. Many furnishings were given as memorial gifts, and the new church was ready for occupancy.
Members gathered on December 17, 1967 for the first worship in the new building. Synod President Dr. O. Karl Olander presided over the official dedication on January 14, 1968, in a packed sanctuary while a severe ice storm raged outside. The people were the same, old friends still met at worship, the choir served faithfully, little children heard stories of faith and heritage, confirmation classes struggled with the catechism, and the coffee pot still warmed conversations and fueled meetings.
Older members enjoyed easy access while new people begin to find their way to the building on the main road. Members volunteered their time to meet the maintenance requirements of the larger facility, and the congregation realized that the building provided new opportunities for community service. Many of the congregation's leaders found themselves emotionally exhausted after the great unifying goal had been achieved. Dr. Linne stayed for two more years, and then went on to help other congregations.
Pastor Henry Tomsuden of Arlington was assigned as a contact person by Synod, and Pastor Daniel Simundson, then completing his doctorate at Harvard, provided interim pastoral service. With increasing membership, the congregation began to gather strength and vision for a new beginning, and a sense of self and service began to emerge. Following a suggestion of Dr. Olander, a pulpit committee attended a service in Brockton conducted by a young assistant pastor, Larry K. Wolff. The committee was excited and impressed, votes were quickly taken, and a call went to our new Pastor who had grown up in South Carolina. He was of German heritage and the son of a Lutheran pastor. He quickly became acquainted in this, his first congregation, listened to interests and problems, and preached a needed message – God loves you.
New people moving into the area for high-tech employment were drawn to St. John by its location and by opportunities for worship, service, fellowship, and education. Political upheaval in Chile resulted in sponsorship of relocation of the Carvajal family in 1976. The congregation benefited from the talents of young Harvard Divinity School students who worked for the church during summer. Sunday School enrollment grew to 135 by 1980.
By 1973 financial pressures had eased. Mortgage payments were current, and previously suspended contributions to Synod were resumed. In 1979 the gravel driveway was paved. The kitchen and Fellowship Hall were pleasant places for meetings and gatherings, often accompanied by light refreshments or a meal. Growing membership resulted in lack of classroom space, and Fellowship Hall was inadequate for congregational dinners.
By 1980 it was clear that the facility was too small for worship, fellowship, and service. The congregation voted to build an addition providing a new fellowship hall, additional space for education, new offices, and facilities for the handicapped. The $250,000 addition was dedicated on June 19, 1993. Average worship attendance reached 205 in 1985, and both the building and general funds enjoyed a surplus. A part-time, professional social worker was hired and a senior ministry was initiated. A new Walker pipe organ from England replaced the old organ in 1988 that by now was beyond repair.
St. John became part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in 1987 as three synods merged into one. By then, Senior luncheons were serving nearly 80 members of the community. Outreach focused onto a satellite congregation in Groton as Shepherd of the Valley was founded to better serve the community of faith in the Nashoba Valley region. Social ministry expanded with outreach to Namibia, homes in Honduras, the Lutheran World Hunger Appeal, ministry to inmates of the Concord prison, and the Acton Community Supper. In ?? YEAR ?? a full-time lay worker was called for an expanded ministry to our families and youth.
Today the community of faith that is St. John is grateful to the immigrants that nurtured and supported our church, adapting and adjusting to the changing times. We are thankful for members that have conquered many challenges; many apparently insurmountable. Their witness to the power of personal faith, hope, and love strengthen and sustain us today in interpreting the Gospel message.
For over 100 years now we have been a people of mission. We have heeded the call to servant hood and
we have sought always to respond to the needs of those around us. Let us not grow weary in our welldoing.
Let us not lose heart. The needs are ever greater, the challenges are immense. Yet we gain strength for
the task in this community of faith. As God calls us to mission, God also supports us in mission. Thanks
be to God!
The Reverend Larry K. Wolff, Pastor
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come before his presence
with singing! Know that the Lord is God! It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people and the
sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him,
bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all
generations.
Psalm 100;1-5