The following is from Saleste, Paul H., Ninetieth Anniversary of Saint John's Evangelical and Reformed Church, January 1, 1935. (Spelling and punctuation as in the original.)

When Rev. Kienle came, he found the following situation. The life and activity of the church had reached its highest peak. New members were joining the church almost monthly. The problem of church expansion was becoming insistent. Several avenues of progress lay open. One group recommended enlarging the old building, another recommended a daughter church; still another were beginning to think of a new church. A definite retrogression in the "mission work" in Christ Mission Sunday School had set in. Eventually that work was abandoned in favor of the progressive principle championed by the new pastor, that one powerful, influential, undivided church was to be preferred to two smaller congregations, dividing the field. The congregation agreed wholeheartedly to follow the determined leadership of Rev. Kienle, to build for the future, for a "greater Saint John's Evangelical church". The call to work, still rings true and strong, now after twenty-five years, "We'll build, and when we build, we'll build ambitiously from cornerstone to steeple". Preliminary steps were taken at once, the new site purchased for $7,000 and the structure eventually erected at the cost of approximately $45,000. I add a quotation from the "Dedication Booklet" by Miss Bertha Reuss -- "At this time there were $5,000 in the Building Fund. The matter of the building site was a mooted question, and need not be mentioned in its details, except t o mention the laudable fact, that in spite of the differences of opinion, peace and harmony prevailed, and we entered a new sanctuary, a united people, without any discords and dissensions."

"After the building of the new church was decided upon, the pastor worked unceasingly and heroically in the pursuit of its fulfillment.

Aided by the Building Committee, (we insert -- Jacob Rahm, Albert Strater, Harrison Saiter, John Scior, George Ost, William Stoodt, Charles Fensch Jr., Ernest Kallmerten, Philip Walter, Henry Griessinger, William Fuchs) and the church council, (against we insert -- Ernest Kallmerten, Henry Fehse, George Ost, Henry Fiedler, Henry Loesch, George Beilstein, Philip Theis). Rev. Kienle has been untiring and indefatigable in his efforts. To him fell the lot of financeering this great undertaking, and he has been wonderfully resourceful in the planning of ways and means of obtaining funds."

That of course was the outstanding event not only of the ninety years of history, but of the seventeen years of progressive service of this gifted pastor.