JOHN STACY
Mr. John Stacy, Jhorahehunka, became an assistant to Missionary Jacob Stucki soon after Mr. Stucki arrived in 1884. Thought he had very little formal education, Mr. Stacy learned quickly. His wealth of information about everyday living and the use thereof became helpful in interpreting the Christian faith to others, including his wife, Martha, and family.
The love of God in Christ as was told in the Bible and as shown by the missionaries influenced the life of John Stacy to become interested in the Christian religion. By his assistance as interpreter, Mr. Stucki was able to conduct public church services every Sunday.
After their conversion to Christianity, John and Martha Stacy were devout followers of Jesus Christ through love, service, preaching, teaching and their family life. Mr. Stacy was an Elder.
From 1930 – 1946, Mr. Stacy was a lay evangelist, working with Mr. Ben, who was the pastor-administrator. Mr. Stacy did much of the preaching, teaching and pastoral care. He died in 1956.
Mr. John Stacy--served 1886-1946
For 15 years Mr. Stacy worked with Mr. Stucki in translating parts of the Bible into Winnebago. They would spend hours just on one word. It was necessary to create new words and expressions in Winnebago to bring out the meaning of the Biblical words and Christian ideas.
Only 2500 Winnebago Scriptures were published by the American Bible Society in 1907. Very few copies are available now. Except for the Scriptures, the Lord’s Prayer, and a hymn version of Psalm 117, few materials in Winnebago have been published.
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The John Stacy Family at their farm home near Greenwood, WI |
First Winnebago Church Members, Jan. 1898 |
In 1922 the Winnebago Indian Mission Church was officially organized with nearly 40 members, some of whom are still active participants in 1977.
On Jan. 2, 1898, nearly 20 years after the Mission began, the first 4 Winnebago people were baptized and taken into church membership, David White Decorah, John Stacy, and his wife Martha Lowe Stacy, and Joseph King of Thunder (Wakajahunka), a brother to Mrs. Stacy.
As their Christian Faith and lives grew, they shared the Good News of Jesus Christ with others.