A Triune Ministry on Bridge Street
St. John's Lutheran Church anchors a small campus along Bridge Street in the heart of Mayville, Wisconsin. The congregation has long described itself as a "Triune Ministry" of Church, School, and Child Care, three arms of one body sharing a single mission: "Reach, Teach, and Share the Gospel." The church building at 450 Bridge Street sits a short walk from the day school at 520 Bridge Street, with the child care program housed at 407 Dayton Street. Together the three programs serve dozens of families each week with worship, K-8 education, infant and toddler care, athletics, and a year-round calendar of Bible classes and youth events.
Worship is held three times each week: Saturday at 5:30 PM, Sunday at 8:00 and 10:30 AM, and Monday at 5:30 PM. The church is affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, part of the South Wisconsin District, and its services follow the historic liturgical tradition of that body.
Roots Going Back Nearly Two Centuries
The congregation has been gathering for nearly two hundred years and has been Lutheran for roughly 140 of those years. In 1892, the church opened the doors to its day school, becoming the start of Lutheran education in Mayville. The school has continued without interruption since that year, walking generations of local children through the same hallways that students use today. The school's current mission statement echoes the congregation's: "Reaching, Teaching, and Sharing the Gospel." Three guiding values shape that work - a firm foundation in Christ, the highest quality education, and a desire to develop and use each person's gifts to glorify the Lord while working in unity of purpose.
Worship at Three Weekly Services
Visitors who arrive for the Saturday evening service, the two Sunday morning services, or the Monday evening service hear the saving message of grace drawn from Scripture and fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The pastor's welcome letter invites guests not only to learn about the congregation online but to come in person for worship, and to stop by the school for a tour if they have children. A weekly bulletin, an announcements sheet, and a printed Parish Visitor newsletter keep members connected to upcoming events, while a Prayer Chain of more than 100 caring members lifts up specific needs throughout the week. Pastors and members point to answered prayers and small miracles that have grown out of that prayer ministry.
A Day School Begun in 1892
St. John's Lutheran School serves children in 4-year-old kindergarten through eighth grade, with separate classrooms for each grade. The faculty includes classroom teachers from 4K through 8th grade, a fine arts teacher, a 4K aide and gym teacher, a classroom aide, and a school cook. Beyond the core subjects, the school offers athletics, music, social-emotional learning, and a range of enrichment opportunities. Principal Doug Mageski, who also serves as Youth Director, leads the school alongside a School Administrative Assistant and an Office Assistant and Librarian.
Admissions begin with a personal tour led by the principal, an extended conversation designed to explore a child's strengths and growth areas, a family's academic and spiritual goals, and how the school's programs can meet them. The school participates in the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP) and the Special Needs Scholarship Program (SNSP), allowing qualifying families to receive a state voucher toward tuition. A separate scholarship program offers financial assistance of up to 50 percent of tuition for students from 4K through 8th grade, with applications open each year from March 1 through May 15.
School closings are communicated to families by personal email and text, announced on Milwaukee television stations WTMJ Channel 4, Fox 6, and WISN Channel 12, and broadcast on radio stations 95.3 WXRO and AM 1430 WBEV. Parents can also check the Skyward family portal for up-to-date information.
Child Care Since 1995
St. John's Lutheran Child Care has been part of the Mayville community since 1995, offering full-time and part-time hourly care for children from six weeks through twelve years of age. The program operates Monday through Friday from 5:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with separate rooms designed for infants, toddlers, two-year-olds, preschoolers, and before-and-after-school care. The program is grounded in the same mission as the church and school, promoting each child's spiritual, emotional, and educational growth at a pace suited to that individual child. A 3K program runs Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:00 to 10:45 AM, with children required to be three years old by September 1 and completely toilet trained. Director Kristy Zahn-Roecker welcomes inquiries and tours from interested families.
Rooted Youth Ministry
St. John's has organized its youth ministry under the theme "Rooted in Christ. Growing Together." with three age-based branches that build on one another. Bible Believers serves children ages three through sixth grade and meets Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 10:15 AM during the school year, using a kid-friendly Answers in Genesis curriculum with Christ-centered lessons, age-appropriate artwork, music, games, videos, and hands-on activities. An adult Bible Believers class follows the same lessons at the same time.
Rooted 5-8 gathers students in grades five through eight for fellowship, Bible study, and service. The group meets in a safe, Christ-centered environment where students begin taking ownership of their faith. Rooted 9-12 meets once a month for high school students, creating a more informal space to navigate friendships, academics, college decisions, and cultural pressures through Christ-centered discussion, Bible study, prayer, and fellowship. Both youth groups maintain an active GroupMe chat for ongoing connection.
For youth preparing for church membership, Catechism classes for seventh and eighth graders are held on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall. A separate Bible Accounts Club for fifth and sixth graders meets at the same time in the Choir Room. Students at St. John's Lutheran School in grades five through eight receive Religion classes with the pastors on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
Bible Classes for Every Schedule
The congregation takes seriously its call to adult Christian education, offering a long list of Bible classes throughout the week. Sunday morning options at 9:30 AM include the adult Bible Believers class, "Men at Work" led by Pastor Cutler in his office, and Pastor Frazee's study of John. Monday brings a specialty ladies' class called "The Chosen" at Joann Cutler's home in Horicon and a 7:30 AM study on the Holy Spirit led by Pastor Behnke. Tuesday mornings feature "Scripture Seekers," a ladies' book study led by Sue Stark, and Tuesday evenings host "The WORD, Women and Wine" (WWW), a traveling summer ladies' class that meets at different homes, the Open Door Coffee Shop, and sometimes a park from May through September. Wednesday mornings begin with a 6:00 AM prayer gathering in the Fellowship Hall called "Power of Prayer," followed by a 10:00 AM study of James led by Pastor Cutler. Daily Bible reading sheets drawn from the JOYFUL Journey plan are available in the Narthex and the church office.
Altar Guild, Quilters, and Vacation Bible School
Behind the scenes, the Altar Guild cares for the altar, candles, paraments, banners, baptismal font, and the pastor's and acolyte robes. Members decorate for Easter, Thanksgiving, Confirmation, Ascension, Reformation, and other special occasions, help serve Lenten and Advent meals, and keep spiritual items available for purchase in the church office. Guild teams rotate every eight weeks and gather for two meetings a year in February and November.
The Quilters' Group meets Thursday mornings from 8:30 to 11:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall, mid-September through May. Newcomers are warmly welcomed - the group's motto is "if you can tie your shoelaces, we can use your time and talents" - and donations of bed sheets, blankets, pillowcases, fabric, thread, rick rack, and bias tape are always appreciated.
Each summer the congregation hosts Vacation Bible School, drawing children ages two through sixth grade along with parents and grandparents. The week runs Monday through Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 PM, beginning with a free light meal served from 5:00 to 5:20 PM. Evenings include games, crafts, music, science experiments, snacks, and Bible lessons centered on a chosen theme. Online registration and walk-ins are both welcome.
School Athletics and the PTL
Athletics are woven into the life of the school. St. John's fields fall, winter, and spring teams - girls' volleyball and co-ed soccer in the fall, girls' and boys' basketball and a co-ed spirit squad in the winter, and co-ed softball and co-ed track and field in the spring. Athletics Director Kelly Brummond and Booster Coordinator Angela Karel lead the program, supported by a Booster group and concessions volunteers. The school's philosophy emphasizes teamwork, love of sport, and a positive Christian attitude as tools for growing each athlete's God-given talents.
The Parent-Teacher League (PTL) brings school families together through fellowship events such as Trunk or Treat, Muffins with Mom, Donuts with Dad, a Family Bowling Day, an all-school dance, and an annual golf outing. The PTL also provides back-to-school student gifts, meals for teachers at conference nights, and a Teacher Appreciation Week. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM, and the group is led by President Stephanie Young, Vice-President Megan Miller, Secretary Stephanie Stevens, and Teacher Representative Julie Marquardt.
Pastoral Leadership and Boards
The congregation is served by Senior Pastor Mark Cutler, Associate Pastor Joshua Frazee, and the teaching pastors who lead the various Bible classes. Barb Haessly serves as Church Administrative Assistant, Brooke Krueger as School Administrative Assistant, and Julie Marquardt as Office Assistant and Librarian. The congregation is governed by a Church Council and several boards: Church Council Chairman Jack Dobbratz, Secretary Kathy Benter; Board of Elders Chairman Perry Muche; School Board Chairman Zach Wenninger; Board of Trustees Chairman Mike Baerwald; Finance Board Chairman Emelia Ayers; Parish Education Board Chairman Nikita Weigand; Social Ministry and Fellowship Board Chairman Brooke Krueger; and Child Care Board Chairman Stephanie Roskopf.
The principal oversees day-to-day operations at the school, while the pastors and principal serve as ex-officio members of the Church Council, the executive body responsible for the general welfare of the congregation.
The Rooted Cafe and a Welcoming Front Door
Tucked inside the St. John's Lutheran Ministry Youth Center, the Rooted Cafe has become a hub for students and families. Open Monday through Thursday from 3:30 to 5:00 PM, the cafe offers hot cocoa, snacks, and a comfortable place to study, gather with friends, or simply unwind in a safe space. The Mayville Open Door Coffee cart is onsite as well, reinforcing the ministry's desire to make the building a welcoming front door for the wider community. "Step inside and you'll find more than just a place to grab a drink or snack - you'll find a space where faith and fellowship grow deep," the ministry description reads, "Christ remains at the center."