About St. Peter Afton

About Us - our history

In the years 1861 –1862 a number of German families from Martinsville, New York (near Buffalo) settled in the northwestern part of Afton Township. Among the first to arrive were Michael and August Stegmann, John Schultz, Fred Markgraf, and “the widow Mrs. Pagel and her children”.

Christian worship was an important part of the settlers’ lives, and they soon persuaded a traveling missionary, Reverend Horst, to conduct services in their homes. Reverend Horst served them for a short time until Pastor E. Rolf was persuaded to serve them from Saint Paul, MN. Pastor Rolf regularly walked the 15 miles from the Saint Paul to conduct services.

In 1863 many other families from New York joined them, and the people believed that the time had come to formally organize a congregation. This was done December 27th, 1863 under the name of “The Evangelical Lutheran Saint Peter’s Church of Afton Township, Washington County, Minnesota”.

On May 17th, 1865 three acres of land were purchased from Christian Pagel for $22.50. An abandoned mill in Lakeland was also purchased from Mr. August Porth. The building was dismantled and reconstructed on the church property. The first service in the new church was held on august 12th, 1865. The building was converted to a schoolhouse in 1898 and a new church was erected. That church was burned to the ground in 1924, at which time the present ”old” church was built. This building currently house our youth house.

More will to be added soon about the new building and sanctuary…

Join Us as we Grow.

Comments or questions about this web site please contact website@stpeterafton.org

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