St. John the Baptist Church was founded in 1841 by German Catholic immigrants,[2] mostly from Grossenlueder, a village near Fulda, and the Rhenish Palatinate.

The original church at Fourth Street and Howard Avenue was built by the parishioners themselves, many of whom were skilled stonemasons and carpenters.

In 1905, the original St. John's at Fourth and Howard, which was no longer in use, was sold to the Italian Catholic community, and became St. Joseph's Church.

Included in the present St. John's are priceless stained glass windows by the German artisan Wilhelm Derrix.

A plaque at the base of the crucifix reads: "Es ist ein Heilger und Heilsamer gedanke, fuer die Verstorbenen zu beten auf dass Sie von Ihren Suenden erloest werden".