St. John German Reformed Church (Frederick, MD)

Around 1844 St. John's was established as a separate congregation from the Evangelical Reformed Church in Frederick MD. because the parent church had begun to conduct sermons in English. The German speaking members wanted to retain the German language in worship and prevailed upon the pastor Dr. Daniel Zacharias to minister to them separately. For a couple of decades after it's founding St. John's did well, increasing it's membership and purchasing it's own parsonage and cemetery. Soon it became clear that the use of the German language was declining in the Frederick area. During the 1890's the consistory minutes record the dismissal of scores of members to the English speaking churches of the community. In 1902 the church was listed as having 37 members but no minister. Finally on Dec. 20, 1907 the final step of the dissolution was taken when it's meager assets were sold.