St. John’s Chapel holds Open House

The country church of St. John’s Chapel, located west of Montgomery, is small, however its history is huge.

The Chapel was open on Wednesday, Dec. 23, for the 4th Annual Country Christmas Event and Open House. Greg Thomas, the man who restored the small, worn-down 1856 church, estimates that more than 400 people attended the event. Some were so eager to visit the quaint church that they arrived to the event before it even started.

“They’ve been coming steady since a quarter to four,” Thomas said. 

The Chapel’s popularity has increased. The first year, it attracted nine people. Last year more than 300 visited. Thomas estimated that number exceeded 400 this year. It was difficult to count them all, he said, because not everyone signed the guest book at the Chapel’s entrance.

“From people I’ve talked to who were here last year said they think there’s more than last year,” he said. “It has really blossomed.”

The event itself has grown too. Due to the soggy area in front of the church where people parked last year, vehicles needed to park away from the church. However, to assist people, Thomas said they used a shuttle to get visitors to and from the church.

Last year, Thomas had some finger food for people to nibble on during their visit. This year, to keep the flow of people moving, a tent was set up outside with a wide variety of food for the Chapel’s guests.

“There’s chocolate, pop, fruit, hotdogs, vegetable trays, anything you want,” Thomas said. “

Thomas said the food came from his sisters and volunteers at New Day Church in New Prague, where he worships.

The open house also included a Santa Claus who visited with people, a harpist, and carolers.

If you doubted the popularity of the church, take a look at the guest book. People from Lonsdale, Montgomery, Nicollet, Faribault, New London, Sauk Center, Lino Lakes, Minnetonka, Fairbanks, AK, Las Vegas, NV, and Cocoa Beach, FL. have all visited the church. 

One entry in the guest book by Anna Lubansky, of Chaska, said it perfectly about visiting the church, with its warm lights from the glow of the candles and kerosene wall sconces. “Very beautiful church. Loved everything about it,” she wrote.