St. John's Episcopal Church (Fayetteville, North Carolina) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
St. John's Episcopal Church
|
|
St. John's Episcopal Church
|
|
 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 302 Green Street Fayetteville North Carolina |
|---|---|
| Built | 1832 |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 74001343 |
| Added to NRHP | September 6, 1974 |
St. John's Episcopal Church is a historic church located in Fayetteville, North Carolina. It is part of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. The church was founded in 1817 and is found on Green Street in downtown Fayetteville. It was the first Episcopal church in the city.
This important building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You can even take public tours by making an appointment.
Contents
History of St. John's Church
How the Church Started
When Fayetteville was first settled, families who were Episcopalian did not have their own church. Most people in town were of Scottish background, so Episcopalians often went to church with Presbyterians.
In 1816, a man named John Winslow traveled to Wilmington. He went to talk with Rev. Dr. Bethell Judd. The very next year, in 1817, St. John's Episcopal Church was officially started in Fayetteville. Rev. Dr. Judd became the first leader, or rector, of the church.
The First Church Building
The first church building began construction in 1817. Local members of the Masonic Order helped lay the foundations. This church had one tall spire that held the town clock. The total cost to build it was about $16,000.
Sadly, in 1831, a huge fire swept through Fayetteville. This "Great Fire" destroyed the church building. Hundreds of other historic buildings in downtown Fayetteville were also lost in the fire.
The Current Church Building
The church building you see today was built in 1832, right after the fire. The main part of the church can seat more than 400 people. It has beautiful stained glass windows that came all the way from Munich, Germany. These windows show different scenes from the Bible.
There is also a smaller area called the Chapel of the Beloved Disciple. This chapel is used for smaller, more private services.
In 1990, St. John's bought the Kyle House. This house is 139 years old and is right next to the church. It is often used for parties, classes, and meetings. In 2002, the church finished a big building project. This project connected the original church building to the Kyle House. It also added a gymnasium, a preschool, and a larger fellowship hall for gatherings.
Church Leaders (Rectors)
Since it began, St. John's has had nineteen rectors, or head pastors. Here is a list of the rectors who have served the church:
- The Rev. Bethel Judd (1817–1818)
- The Rev. Gregory T. Bedell (1818–1822)
- The Rev. William Hooper (1822–1824)
- The Rev. Henry M. Mason (1825–1827)
- The Rev. Philip B. Wiley (1828–1830)
- The Rev. William G. H. Jones (1830-1831)
- The Rev. Jarvis B. Buxton (1831–1851)
- The Rev. Joseph Caldwell Huske (1851–1888)
- The Rev. Thomas Atkinson, Jr. (1888–1893)
- The Rev. Isaac Wayne Hughes (1894–1909)
- The Rev. Charles Tyndall (1910–1912)
- The Rev. Archie Boogher (1912–1938)
- The Rev. Tate Young (1938–1942)
- The Rev. J. F. Ferneyhough (1943–1954)
- The Rev. Roscoe C. Hauser, Jr. (1954–1974)
- The Rev. Robert L. Ladehoff (1974–1985)
- The Rev. David M. Chamberlain (1987–2002)
- The Rev. Louanne Mabry-Loch (2003–2007)
- The Rev. Robert M. Alves (2009-present)
Worship Services
The main part of worship at St. John's is the Eucharist, also known as Holy Communion. The church usually has a traditional and formal style of worship. Most services follow a set format from the Book of Common Prayer. St. John's also started a more modern service on Wednesday evenings.
Preschool Program
St. John's also runs a Christian preschool. This preschool is open to all children, no matter their religious background. It serves children from 6 months old up to four years of age. The preschool has been helping young children learn and grow for nine years.
See also
