STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Bratwurst, beer, and a whole lot of fellowship — that’s what brought parishioners together earlier this month at St. John’s Lutheran Church for its annual Oktoberfest celebration.
Line dancing brought a lively twist to the German celebration.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
“It was a beautiful day, with 70 people enjoying fun and fellowship at St. John’s Lutheran School,” said parishioner Lorrie Lee. “St. John’s Lutheran Church has been a fixture in Staten Island’s Port Richmond neighborhood since 1848, when the congregation held its first service.”
Participants donned dirndls, elegant dresses and aprons, for the event. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
“The food, beer, games, dancing, lederhosen, and dirndl dresses were plenty, but most important was the fellowship had by all,” added Susan Sax, daughter of longtime parishioner, the late Anita Neitzel.
A stein-holding contest (Masskrugstemmen in German) is a traditional Bavarian strength challenge. Competitors hold a full liter stein—about five pounds—straight out at shoulder height, arm fully extended, without bending or spilling. The goal? Last the longest without lowering your arm. The winner earned bragging rights and cheers from the church crowd.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
Held in Spruth Memorial Hall, located in the church’s school gym on Manor Road, the fundraiser featured a hearty German feast with bratwurst, red cabbage, sauerkraut, pretzels, and homemade potato salad. A cash bar served up craft beer favorites, while guests enjoyed stein-holding contests, DJ music, and a 50/50 raffle.
A full German meal savored by attendees. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
Spruth Memorial Hall honors a family whose roots run deep in the church. Rev. E.L. Spruth once served as pastor.
Contests yielded ribbons and the joy of winning. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)History of the church
In the 1840s, Germans migrated to Staten Island seeking farmland and stability after economic hardship and political unrest in Europe. Many first settled in Manhattan’s Little Germany before moving to Staten Island for its rural appeal. This migration laid the foundation for German churches and cultural institutions, including the congregation now celebrating its 177th anniversary — a testament to the enduring legacy of those early settlers.
St. John’s Lutheran Church as viewed in 1981 with its distinct steeple. Staten Island Advance
The church was formally organized in 1852 as the “German Evangelical Lutheran Congregation at Port Richmond,” and purchased its first building — the former Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church at 216 Jewett Avenue — for $2,500. The current structure was built in 1901 and continues to serve the community.
The cornerstone of the Curren building was laid in 1901.
The church’s legacy lives on through several multigenerational Staten Island families.
St. John’s looks the same today at its 177 year home at 216 Jewett Ave., Port Richmond. (Advance image by the late Virginia N. Sherry)
Anita, who was baptized, confirmed, and married at St. John’s, devoted her life to its ministry—teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, and serving on committees like the Ladies Guild and Altar Guild. Her father’s pastoral leadership helped shape the congregation’s mission, and today Susan continues that tradition as a volunteer.
German immigrants who arrived in the 1840s helped shape Staten Island’s cultural roots—building churches, traditions, and community ties that endure nearly two centuries later.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
In 1952, St. John’s expanded its outreach by opening St. John’s Lutheran School at 663 Manor Rd., Castleton Corners. What began with just 28 students has grown into an institution serving kindergarten through eighth grade, including a free full-day Universal Pre-K program.
The Rev. Michael Bagnall teaches at St. John’s and presides at the church as its pastor. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
Today, Rev. Michael Bagnall serves as pastor and also teaches at the school. He leads weekly worship services on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. The church itself is located about a mile from the Manor Road-anchored school at 216 Jewett Ave., Port Richmond.
With cheers and laughter echoing like an Oktoberfest hall, contestants tested their skill in a traditional hammer-and-nails challenge—a nod to Germany’s proud heritage of craftsmanship and friendly competition.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
It is believed that pretzels have their roots in the life of monks from the 6th or 7th century. They had shaped dough into crossed arms to symbolize prayer, calling them pretiola (“little rewards”) for children who learned their prayers. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
Brewed by Munich’s royal Hofbräuhaus, founded in 1589, this golden lager was crafted for Oktoberfest—a tradition dating back to 1810. Smooth, malty, and brewed with Bavarian hops, Hofbräu Oktoberfestbier has become a festival favorite for German beer aficionados. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
Contests yielded blue ribbon prizes…(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
…and the privilege of winning. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
Who can hammer the nail in the fastest? (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
Everyone took a chance at winning. Hammer and nails evoke Germany’s legacy of craftsmanship and labor—a heritage rooted in skill, strength, and industrious pride.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
St. John’s Lutheran hosted its annual Oktoberfest in the Spruth Memorial Hall at the school gym on Manor Road.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
Bratwurst—meaning “finely chopped meat sausage”—is a smooth, seasoned blend of pork and, in the St. John’s case, veal. Here it is paired with clove-scented red cabbage and German potato salad made with vinegar and bacon. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
Music and dancing rounded out the celebration which took place in the school gym. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
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