The Swedish Evangelical Church was organized December 8, 1872 by a group of Swedish settlers who had moved to Bloomington from Kewanee and Galva, Illinois. The hard-working Swedes came to work in the coal mines but did not know they had been urged to come replace striking coal miners. Many problems confronted the settlers as a consequence of their strike-breaking; however, they were determined to stay and become part of the community.

Not long after arriving in Bloomington, the settlers wrote to Augustana College to ask for a pastor to conduct a Lutheran service for them. Dr. T.N. Hasselquist was asked to preach Swedish sermons and to organize the group of 36 adults and 10 children.

In 1872, services were held the third Sunday of each month. The Reverend John Johnson was officially called to conduct worship services at a salary of $120 per year. The Swedish Lutheran Church became a member of the Augustana Synod, and student pastors were sent to serve the small congregation. Finally, a second pastor was called to conduct services on Sunday and one weekday evening each month. His salary was $15 per month, but lodging and board were provided by church families. Eventually, a parsonage was purchased, and The reverend J. E. Nystrom became the full-time pastor. Membership fees were assessed to meet the congregation’s expenses until 1921 when the pledge system was inaugurated.

The first church building of the Swedish Lutheran Church was located at 803 West Olive Street, Bloomington. The worship services were conducted completely in the Swedish language until 1912 when English was adopted. By 1923 the church name was changed to conform to its usage of English. It was called “First English Evangelical Lutheran Church.” In 1928, the congregation moved to its new site at Olive and Allin Streets. The Andersons, Ericksons, Johnsons, Olsons and other Swedish families were dedicated workers and happy with their new Olive and Allin corner church.

In 1950, the church body voted for yet another name change, “St. John’s Lutheran Church.” A growing congregation with considerable foresight decided to find a location for needed expansion. It was a difficult time for the long-time members who were very happy in their Olive and Allin corner. However, finally in 1955, acres of land at the corner of Emerson and Towanda Avenues were purchased for the huge sum of $26,000. The section now called the “Fellowship Hall” was used for worship services until the present nave was completed in 1965.