Our Heritage

A Brief Account of the Early Saint John Baptist Church

Saint John Baptist Church had its beginning in the early 1900’s as a small body of Christian believers gathered for a time under the spreading branches of a tree to raise their voices to God in prayer and to sing songs of praise to His Holy Name. "Smith Quarters" was the name of this small neighborhood located nearly six blocks from the present site of the church today. This group later held services in the "Old Empty Schoolhouse." As time passed, they met in the Lodge Hall on McKinley Street.

Realizing the need for a building, the people began saving their money to purchase land. In 1907, the purchase was made and the men of the neighborhood built the church during their spare time, using old pieces of lumber and bricks from torn down houses. The building was completed and its first cornerstone, dated 1908, was put in place. The erection site was at the corner of Asylum Road, (now Farrow Road), and Feaster Avenue, (now Beltline Boulevard), our present location.

Reverend Z. E. Dennis was the first pastor of Saint John Baptist Church. Dan Bookhart, John Lawhorn, and Will Morris were deacons. I. Stroman, C. E. Bailey and T. R. Sammons were trustees, Will Morris, clerk, James Lawhorn, treasurer, and W. S. Bookhart, superintendent.

The church grew continuously under the leadership of the following ministers: The Reverend Z. E. Dennis
The Reverend R. D. Gordon
The Reverend J. Welburn
The Reverend L. C. Jenkins
The Reverend Hills Norris, Sr.
The Reverend N. L. Bush
The Reverend B. T. Sears
The Reverend Horace P. Sharper
The Reverend Roscoe C. Wilson, Sr. (50 years of notable service)
The Reverend Barry Wright
The Reverend Dr. Alphonso Counts, Sr., (Interim)

This history continues with the services of our illustrious pastor The Reverend Jamey O. Graham, Sr.