The beginnings of our Lutheran church sprang up from local Antiguan soil. In the early 1950's "Bishop" William O'Donoghue, a local Caribbean layperson enlightened by Lutheran teachings, began to gather people around God's Word. He also ran a "Lutheran" school of which he was the teacher. In 1972 he invited the Federation of Authentic Lutheranism (FAL) to come in and help him carry on his mission work. In January 1973, Rev. Donald Burch was sent to be the pastor working along side with Mr. O'Donoghue. The first service of that year was attended by 34 people who became the core of the quickly developing ministry in the months and years that followed. September of 1973 was "Charter Membership Day" with 39 charter members. By December of 1973 construction began on the "L" shaped worship/school building in the present location overlooking the city and harbor of St. John. In October 1974 St. John's Lutheran School opened its door as a regular part of the ministry of St. John's Lutheran Church. In 1975 the WELS voted to accept the ongoing support of the ministry at St. John's Lutheran Church.