Johannes Gnauck

Founding Pastor and Pillar of the Early Years

Founding the Congregation

On October 22, 1961, the founding meeting of St. Mark’s was held. Pastor Gnauck, who had previously served within the Lutheran Church in Canada, presided over the gathering and opened with the words from Revelation 22: “Amen, come, Lord Jesus!”. He was unanimously called as the first pastor.

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One moving scene from that day is recorded in the minutes: when the proposal was made to name the new church “St. Mark’s,” all those present rose and responded “Yes.” The group then sang “Now Thank We All Our God” – a moment many later recalled as the true birth hour of the congregation.

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Pastor and Builder

Gnauck was able to gather German immigrant families in Vancouver and provide them with a spiritual home. Under his leadership, the first constitution was adopted, structures established, and regular worship set in place. His preaching was marked by deep Christ-centered devotion, and his pastoral care by close personal relationships.

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Throughout the 1960s and 1970s he guided the congregation through its formative years, laying the foundation upon which future pastors would build.

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Recognition and Legacy

Even after retirement, Pastor Gnauck remained closely connected to St. Mark’s. At the 25th anniversary in 1986, he was honored and celebrated as the “Father of the Congregation”.

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He left a legacy that continues to shape the church today: uniting German tradition with openness to Canada, and combining deep biblical devotion with warm community life.

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Pastor Johannes Gnauck passed away in 1990. With gratitude, members remember him as the one whose faith, steadfastness, and pastoral warmth laid the foundation for all that St. Mark’s was to become in the decades that followed.

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