Secrets to Survival: A History of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hatchville (Spring Valley), WI

Abstract

Joel Willitz’s essay, Secrets to Survival, chronicles the 100-year history of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hatchville (Spring Valley), Wisconsin. Founded by German Lutheran settlers in 1885, the congregation’s story is one of perseverance, faith, and community resilience. Willitz explores three key factors in the church’s survival: the dedication of its members, the leadership of its pastors, and the providence of God. Despite geographic isolation, economic hardship, and internal challenges—including pastoral transitions and a devastating church fire in 1968—St. John’s remained a vital spiritual center for its rural community. The essay highlights the congregation’s strong family ties, mission outreach, and commitment to worship, culminating in the centennial celebration in 1985. Through historical anecdotes and reflections, Willitz presents St. John’s as a testament to God’s sustaining grace and the enduring power of the Gospel in small-town America. —Abstract generated by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)