St. John's Church (Savannah, Georgia) facts for kids
St. John's Church in Savannah is a special church that belongs to the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia. It's a place where people gather for worship and community.
Contents
The Story of St. John's Church
How the Church Began
St. John's Church started in 1841. It was created because another church, Christ Church in Savannah, was growing very quickly. Leaders wanted to have more Episcopal churches in Georgia. They also planned to choose the very first bishop for the area.
One of the people who helped start St. John's was a local businessman named Edward Padelford. After he passed away in 1870, a beautiful stained-glass window was made to remember him. There are eleven other windows in the church. Each one honors important early members of the church.
The First Bishop and Leaders
Stephen Elliott, Jr. became the first Bishop of Georgia in February 1841. He was also the main leader, called a rector, for both St. John's and Christ Church.
Building the Church
The first building for St. John's Church was ready in 1843. But soon, the church community grew too large for it. So, they decided to build a new, bigger church. This is the building you see today!
The current church is located in Madison Square. It's right across from the historic Green-Meldrim House. This house is now used by the church as its parish house. The church building was designed by Calvin N. Otis from Buffalo, New York. It was officially opened in May 1853.
Church Traditions Today
St. John's Church still uses the 1928 version of the Book of Common Prayer for its worship services. This book guides how they pray and hold their services. The church has a friendly connection with the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia. However, the people who attend St. John's often prefer more traditional ways of worship compared to many other Episcopal churches.
The church building is an important part of the Savannah Historic District. This means it's recognized for its history and special architecture.
