Pastor J. C. Jannau

For many years, the language of the congregation had been German, for very good  reasons. All of the teaching and all of the services had been conducted in German since the earliest gatherings. However, over the years, the use of English had slowly gained momentum and acceptance as more and more exposure to it had been obtained. As a consequence, it was decided in December of 1927 that, commencing in 1928, Pastor Jannau, the then presiding pastor, would conduct one English service per month. In deciding to do this, the congregation took the first step that would eventually lead to services being conducted entirely in English. The ties with Germany were becoming more and more tenuous.

The title page of a family Bible printed in German. The book was published in 1896 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

In April of 1930, Pastor Jannau lost his life in a train and car accident while on his way to conduct a service in Alice. He was a well-loved man, “adored by his catechumens since he was so very kind to them.” It is unfortunate that the first three decades of life at St. John’s should end in such a melancholy way, yet the very selection of Pastor Jannau’s successor was indicative of the spirit of change and progress as the congregation moved more and more into the fabric of Canadian life and away, in some degree, from their German heritage. Pastor Paulson was selected to receive the call to succeed Pastor Jannau, “providing he preach one English sermon per month.” The decision in this regard, made in 1927, was reinforced to the extent that it became a stipulation for employment.