About

Formally organized in 1799, the congregation came into being because of the migration of German settlers into the western part of Wythe County following the Revolutionary War. George Daniel Flohr (Father Flohr) was the first pastor of the church and served until his death in 1826.

The original building is believed to have been constructed in 1800 and was used for half a century. The present frame structure known as St. John Lutheran Church was dedicated in 1854 and underwent extensive remodeling in 1885. Membership declined in the church after the population began moving toward the railroad in Wytheville and the town churches. In 1924, the remaining membership merged with the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (located on W. Main Street). An annual homecoming service is still held at the "mother church" each August.

The log structure known as The Flohr House was built in 1807 on 47 acres of land about one mile north of the church. Originally constructed of hewn logs, the two-room house has a large fireplace made of native stone. It was later enlarged with two additional rooms and other structural improvements.

In 1984, the house faced destruction because of real estate development. To save it, the house was purchased by a local resident, Everett Kegley. It was disassembled, moved to the present site, and reassembled using stone from a spring house and chimney for the foundation. It is not known when these grounds were first used for burial, but it is likely that there were graves before Wythe County was formed in 1790. Some of the graves bear evident marks back into the 18th century, although no legible inscription dates can be ascertained before 1805.

Several of Wytheville's founding families are buried in the oldest part of this cemetery including such names as Simmermans, Spillers, Hallers, Crocketts, and Baumgardners. Other early names include Radar, Kegley, Sharitz, Repass, and Brown.

One of the most recognizable graves is that of one of the original pastors of the adjoining church, George Daniel Flohr. His grave marker is of a native stone known as mountain marble and is chiseled in the form of a coffin. This work was done by Lawrence Krone, at his private cost. Another interesting burial plot is located within the foundation of the original church. First reserved for pastors, Gibboney square was sold to this early family by special concession.