St. John's Episcopal Church (Fayetteville, North Carolina) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. John's Episcopal Church
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St. John's Episcopal Church
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 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | 302 Green Street Fayetteville North Carolina |
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| 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 in Fayetteville, North Carolina. It is part of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. The church was started in 1817. You can find it on Green Street in downtown Fayetteville. It was the first Episcopal church in the city. St. John's is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical site. You can even take a tour if you make an appointment.
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History of St. John's Church
How the Church Started
When Fayetteville was a new town, families who were Episcopalian did not have their own church. Many people in town were from Scotland. So, Episcopalians often went to church with the Presbyterians.
In 1816, a man named John Winslow went to Wilmington. He met with a church leader, Rev. Dr. Bethell Judd. The next year, in 1817, St. John's Episcopal Church officially began in Fayetteville. Rev. Dr. Judd became the first leader, or "rector," of the church.
The First Church Building
The first church building started being built in 1817. Local members of the Masonic Order helped lay the foundations. This church had one tall tower, called a spire. The town clock was placed in this spire. The whole building cost about $16,000 to build.
But in 1831, a very big fire happened in Fayetteville. This "Great Fire" destroyed the church building. It also burned down many other historic places downtown.
The Current Church Building
The church building you see today was built in 1832. It is a beautiful example of Gothic Revival architecture. The main part of the church can hold over 400 people. It has amazing stained glass windows. These windows came all the way from Munich, Germany. They show different scenes from the Bible.
There is also a smaller room called the Chapel of the Beloved Disciple. This chapel is used for smaller, more quiet 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. They connected the main church building to the Kyle House. They also added a gymnasium and a place for a preschool. There is also a larger hall for gatherings.
Worship Services
The main part of worship at St. John's is the Eucharist. This is a special service where people share bread and wine. Most services at St. John's are formal and traditional. They follow forms of worship from the Book of Common Prayer. St. John's also recently started a more modern service on Wednesday evenings.
Preschool Program
St. John's Church also runs a preschool. It is a Christian preschool, but it welcomes children from all backgrounds. Children from 6 months to four years old can attend. The preschool has been helping young children learn and grow for many years.
See also
