CHURCH HISTORY

On September 18, 1870, a third Sunday, African Americans' fellowship became Saint John Chapel, now known as Saint John African Methodist Episcopal Church.  The people were. a part of Saint James AME church members but decided to begin a new fellowship by God's guidance.  According to the Columbus Enquirer in an article on March 29, 1970,  a local newspaper, a "New Church Enterprise," purchased the lot opposite the Claflin Institute and erected a church building.  The location was Fifth Avenue in downtown Columbus Georgia.  In a short time, a spacious church building for the Saint John people and denomination happened.  Among the founding members of Saint John were Edmund Baily and Alexander Howard of Columbus, Georgia.  Alexander Howard was the grandfather of Bishop Richard R. Wright Jr. and former college president of Wilberforce.  By the record of the cornerstone, the first pastor of Saint John was Reverend Dr. John G. Mitchell. Also, Reverend Dr. John G. Mitchell was one of the founders of the first free-standing HBCU's in America, Wilberforce University, in 1894.  

The original structure was a two (2) story building with a wooden framed top and bricked bottom.  As the story goes, Saint John had "brick rallies" and "carpenter rallies" to beautify their building. Many white people of Columbus and other African Americans gave liberally to support the church's building.  Later, the entire building was veneered with brick from the ground to the roof.  In 1890, Reverend T.M. Mitchell built the basement.  Saint John African Methodist Episcopal Church was considered one of the very best church buildings architecturally because of the simplicity of its Victorian Gothic style.  To the north, its round tower and the conical roof were one of a kind.  On the opposite front side of the building was a square tower that housed the melodious church bell.  It reminded the members of Sunday school and church.  It tolled sadly when a member died.  The doorway was also beautifully designed.

From the 1870s to the 1950s, thousands of rural African Americans migrated to Columbus to build a better life.  However, by 1908 African Americans were again completely disenfranchised, having lost their voting rights. Racial segregation in public facilities established through a series of "Jim Crow" laws and customs enshrined the region's ideology of white supremacy.

Reverend Dr. Jackson T. Hall led our eager congregation in a remodeling project for a growing and ministry-minded church.  In 1908, the rounded arch window openings with tri-parte stained glass windows were placed throughout the upper part of the church building.  During that time, the first unit of the church (basement) was separated into rooms.  The first unit included two bathrooms, a kitchen, a dining room, and a fellowship hall.  

Eight years later, in 1916, Reverend Dr. R.H. Ward retired the mortgage debt of 1908.  The action of the pastor and people were awe-inspiring and a testament to the willingness of people to trust God to meet the needs of Saint John.  

During the 1950s congregation grew numerically and continued to grow spiritually.  Our membership saw the need for classrooms, and two members petitioned off three (3) rooms in the basement.  

People from all walks of life became members of Saint John African Methodist Episcopal Church.  Those of modest means and those with an abundance worked diligently together.  The legacy of Saint John is one of love for God and laboring hard for God's kingdom.  Saint John founding families believed in excellence with dignity and service.  

On September 30, 1980, Saint John was placed on the list of National Historical Buildings.

On February 10, 1990, a tornado severely damaged the church.  This was the second time in Saint John's church history a tornado struck the fifth avenue property.  While plans were being made to repair the building, a second tornado damaged the structure on February 22, 1990.  Under the pastor Reverend Elijah Smith, a decision was made by the Saint John family to relocate and construct a new church edifice on Steam Mill Road in Columbus, Georgia.

Although moving to the Steam Mill Road location was necessary, the Fifth Avenue tower remains close to our Saint John family.  You will see pieces of the Fifth Avenue location within the Steam Mill Road location.  The stained-glass windows, pipes of the organ, and brass railings all came from the original Saint John Church building.

Forty-six (46) persons have served as pastors. Each pastor has added to the development and spiritual witness of this great congregation. The longest tenure was operated by Reverend Dr. Debora Grant Scotland at fourteen (14) years.  Only once in the history of Saint John has a father and son served this church as pastor.  The Reverend Walter Washington (father) and Reverend Dr. Richard Allen Washington Sr (son) our current pastor hold this distinction in our history.