History:

In the years 1861-1862 a number of German families from Martinsville, New York (near Buffalo) settled in the northwestern part of Afton Township. Among the first to arrive were Michael and August Stegemann, John Schultz, Fred Markgraf and "the widow Mrs. Pagel and her children". Christian worship was an important part of the settlers' lives, and they soon persuaded a traveling missionary, a Rev. Horst, to conduct services in their homes. He served them for a short time until Pastor E. Rolf was persuaded to serve them from St. Paul. He regularly walked the 15 miles from the city to conduct services.

In 1863 many other families from New York joined them, and the people believed that the time had come to formally organize a congregation. This was done on December 27, 1863 under the name of "The Evangelical Lutheran Saint Peter's Church of Afton Township, Washington County, Minnesota".

On May 17, 1865 three acres of land were purchased from Christian Pagel for $22.50. An abandoned mill in Lakeland was also purchased from Mr. August Porth. The building was dismantled and reconstructed on the church property. The first service in the new church was held on August 12, 1865. The building was converted to a school house in 1898 and a new church was erected. That church burned to the ground in 1924, at which time the present “old” church was built. This building currently houses out youth house.