Our Previous Pastors

Our previous pastor was Rev. Phyles.  Before coming to St John he served Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Beverly.  After serving our church for 31 years, he continued as pastor emeritus until his death in 2015.

Prior to 1977, David Halmers, First Lutheran Church, Lynn, and David Gran, Gordon-Conwell student, had served as interim pastor and assistant pastor since 1974.
1973-1974  Daniel Leslie, Prince of Peace, Beverly, was our pastor a short time.
1969-1973  Donovan Hommen began serving while attending Boston University.  Finnish language services were discontinued.

Prior to 1969, Rev. Westfield had served as our pastor.  Duane Westfield (Aho) was very involved with the youth and while he was here, a boys’ basketball team was formed.
1960-1963  Toivo Rosenberg.   The merger which formed the Lutheran Church in America happened soon after he arrived.
1955-1960  Olaf Rankinen.  English language services were begun.
1934-1955  Antii Kuusisto was called by three churches – our church and two Cape Ann churches.
1913-1934  Samuel Ronka served until his death in 1934.
1905-1913  Gabriel Lipsanen also served the Cape Ann congregations and the churches in Quincy and Allston.