Mission Statement
To be a driving force in the community while compelling lost souls to come to Christ
To be a driving force in the community while compelling lost souls to come to Christ
.Our History
Although The St. John Missionary Baptist church was organized prior to 1950. The earliest records we have of when St. John Baptist church was started state a meeting was held June 6, 1950 at 834 Monroe St. The purpose of this meeting was to call a pastor. Rev. Moses Myles presided over the meeting and Sister Ada Barnes was the secretary. Those in attendance were: Rev. J.C. McIntyre, Rev. R.T. Enloe, Rev. Ben Cartwright, Brother Nelson Barnes, and Sister Pearly Myles. The two names submitted for Pastor were Rev. J. H. Hammond and Rev. Frank P. Roberson.
In August 1950, Rev. Frank. P. Roberson became the first pastor of the St. John Baptist Church. During the nineteen years of his pastorate, the membership grew rapidly, spiritually and financially. Ten auxiliaries were organized. With the growth of the membership there was a need for a larger building. With sincere prayer and planning, the church was enlarged: a dining area with a kitchen was added and land was purchased for off street parking.
In June of 1969, Rev. Roberson went from labor to reward. Rev. Lawrence Savage and Rev. Bennie Smith served as co-interim pastors until a pastor was named.
On July 5, 1970, Rev. Harvey E. Leggett of Slidell, Louisiana, was installed as the second pastor of St. John.
Under his pastorate the membership continued to grow. Once again there was a need for a larger building. Instead of adding to the church building. , Rev. Leggett brought plans to the membership for a new building. With much prayer, dedication and sacrifice, St. John purchased land and built a new edifice, baptismal pool and parking lot.
The congregation moved into the new church located at 866 Monroe St., on February 2, 1975. In the early years of the church anniversary was celebrated in February but due to inclement weather, the celebration was moved to the month of May.
The church mortgage burning was held in February of 1996. In April 1998 land was purchased for a new church addition.
St. John is a regular contributor to the Home and Foreign Mission done through our National convention, Ypsilanti community and many other worthy causes. We thank God for those loyal and dedicated members of St. John who lived and served faithfully to pave the way for others. Three men so touched the life of one of our young members, Sis. Regina Bell, that she convinced the church to start the Tipton, Rice, Morrison Scholarship fund to help some of our young people further their education. This scholarship fund was established in 1987. Through this fund, St. John has been able to assist our young people to strive toward their educational goals.
In April of 2002, Pastor Leggett became ill and was no longer able to carry out his pastoral and pulpit duties. He appointed Rev. James Hendricks, a St. John Associate Minister to be in charge of the pulpit. In June 2002 our Lord and Savior called our beloved Pastor, Rev. Dr. Harvey E. Leggett, home.
In October 2003 Rev. James Earl Hendricks became the third pastor of St. John. He was installed on Sunday Nov. 10, 2003 and is currently still the Senior Pastor.
Soon after becoming pastor Rev. Hendricks purchased two new vans and a new organ. Air conditioners were updated in the sanctuary and new ones were installed in the basement. In 2011 Pastor Hendricks initiated a remodeling of the current church. The walls of the Sanctuary was painted and the pews were removed and replaced with new chairs and new carpet was purchased.
As part of the continuing growth of the church , Pastor Hendricks has implemented a "Youth" church which meets on the 2nd and 3rd, Sunday. The 4th Sunday has been designated Youth Sunday with services held upstairs. A youth choir was revived and a Praise team and Dancers 1st and 2nd generation was formed. They now perform on a regular basis.
In September 2008 our church library was launched.
In 2013 an evangelism program was started.
In 2014 new Sanctuary doors were installed in the inner and outer vestibule.
in the 3rd Sunday in April 2018 a dedication service was held to celebrate a complete kitchen renovation. In March of 2019 a new passenger van was purchased. Also the old handicamp ramp was torn down and a new one installed in it's place. Also a new refrigerator and fold up cot was placed in the new Nurses station dedicated to the memory of longtime nurse Sis. Vivian Langford, her picture now graces the wall where she served for many years.
In March of 2020 when the world was devastated by Covid-19 and churches all over the US was shuttered our courageous pastor vowed never to close the doors of St. John . On the 4th Sunday of March 2020 Pastor Hendricks along with Sis. Hendricks, Deacon Howard Smith and Bro. James Earl Lewis witnessed the first live on Facebook broadcast from our sanctuary therefore keeping the Word of God going out to the members.
+
Although The St. John Missionary Baptist church was organized prior to 1950. The earliest records we have of when St. John Baptist church was started state a meeting was held June 6, 1950 at 834 Monroe St. The purpose of this meeting was to call a pastor. Rev. Moses Myles presided over the meeting and Sister Ada Barnes was the secretary. Those in attendance were: Rev. J.C. McIntyre, Rev. R.T. Enloe, Rev. Ben Cartwright, Brother Nelson Barnes, and Sister Pearly Myles. The two names submitted for Pastor were Rev. J. H. Hammond and Rev. Frank P. Roberson.
In August 1950, Rev. Frank. P. Roberson became the first pastor of the St. John Baptist Church. During the nineteen years of his pastorate, the membership grew rapidly, spiritually and financially. Ten auxiliaries were organized. With the growth of the membership there was a need for a larger building. With sincere prayer and planning, the church was enlarged: a dining area with a kitchen was added and land was purchased for off street parking.
In June of 1969, Rev. Roberson went from labor to reward. Rev. Lawrence Savage and Rev. Bennie Smith served as co-interim pastors until a pastor was named.
On July 5, 1970, Rev. Harvey E. Leggett of Slidell, Louisiana, was installed as the second pastor of St. John.
Under his pastorate the membership continued to grow. Once again there was a need for a larger building. Instead of adding to the church building. , Rev. Leggett brought plans to the membership for a new building. With much prayer, dedication and sacrifice, St. John purchased land and built a new edifice, baptismal pool and parking lot.
The congregation moved into the new church located at 866 Monroe St., on February 2, 1975. In the early years of the church anniversary was celebrated in February but due to inclement weather, the celebration was moved to the month of May.
The church mortgage burning was held in February of 1996. In April 1998 land was purchased for a new church addition.
St. John is a regular contributor to the Home and Foreign Mission done through our National convention, Ypsilanti community and many other worthy causes. We thank God for those loyal and dedicated members of St. John who lived and served faithfully to pave the way for others. Three men so touched the life of one of our young members, Sis. Regina Bell, that she convinced the church to start the Tipton, Rice, Morrison Scholarship fund to help some of our young people further their education. This scholarship fund was established in 1987. Through this fund, St. John has been able to assist our young people to strive toward their educational goals.
In April of 2002, Pastor Leggett became ill and was no longer able to carry out his pastoral and pulpit duties. He appointed Rev. James Hendricks, a St. John Associate Minister to be in charge of the pulpit. In June 2002 our Lord and Savior called our beloved Pastor, Rev. Dr. Harvey E. Leggett, home.
In October 2003 Rev. James Earl Hendricks became the third pastor of St. John. He was installed on Sunday Nov. 10, 2003 and is currently still the Senior Pastor.
Soon after becoming pastor Rev. Hendricks purchased two new vans and a new organ. Air conditioners were updated in the sanctuary and new ones were installed in the basement. In 2011 Pastor Hendricks initiated a remodeling of the current church. The walls of the Sanctuary was painted and the pews were removed and replaced with new chairs and new carpet was purchased.
As part of the continuing growth of the church , Pastor Hendricks has implemented a "Youth" church which meets on the 2nd and 3rd, Sunday. The 4th Sunday has been designated Youth Sunday with services held upstairs. A youth choir was revived and a Praise team and Dancers 1st and 2nd generation was formed. They now perform on a regular basis.
In September 2008 our church library was launched.
In 2013 an evangelism program was started.
In 2014 new Sanctuary doors were installed in the inner and outer vestibule.
in the 3rd Sunday in April 2018 a dedication service was held to celebrate a complete kitchen renovation. In March of 2019 a new passenger van was purchased. Also the old handicamp ramp was torn down and a new one installed in it's place. Also a new refrigerator and fold up cot was placed in the new Nurses station dedicated to the memory of longtime nurse Sis. Vivian Langford, her picture now graces the wall where she served for many years.
In March of 2020 when the world was devastated by Covid-19 and churches all over the US was shuttered our courageous pastor vowed never to close the doors of St. John . On the 4th Sunday of March 2020 Pastor Hendricks along with Sis. Hendricks, Deacon Howard Smith and Bro. James Earl Lewis witnessed the first live on Facebook broadcast from our sanctuary therefore keeping the Word of God going out to the members.
+
Affiliations : Eastern Progressive Baptist District Association of Detroit and Vicinity; General Missionary Baptist State Convention of Michigan; National Missionary Baptist Convention of America