A United Church of Christ, this congregation was chartered October 1882 under the direction of the Rev. F. Werning, a pioneer missionary from Waco. It grew from early worship services in the home of Mr. and Mrs. H. Raab, conducted for twelve families of German descent. The Church's original sancturary was built on Calhoun Street, but was moved to the corner of Texas and Taylor streets before being relocated here in 1915. For over a century St. John's Evangelical and Reformed Church has played in an important role in the area's development.