HISTORY
Of
ST. JOHN MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH |
St. John Missionary Baptist Church was organized by approximately 80 members in 1918. Dr. W. D. Hill accepted the call as the first Pastor on January 12, 1919. The church operated under His pastorate until September 1919, when he was called to pastor a church in Missouri. After Reverend Hill’s departure, the congregation searched for a new pastor while the deacons of St. John operated the church.
A year later, September 1920, Reverend John Wesley Johnson accepted the call as pastor of the church. He brought his wife, Hattie, with him. Later that same month, the church held a revival and added 75 members through the preaching of Pastor Johnson.
The church was worshipping in the Hide House, which was located on East Main and Stiles Street. Following the revival, the church family moved to the Dr. Light Building on Second and Geary Street, with plans of building a permanent church home.
In March 1921, the church purchased lots at Northeast Second and Phillips Street. By September of that year, a 30 foot X 60 foot frame building was purchased to be placed on the new location. The cost of the building was $310. It became the first permanent church home for the St. John Family.
The church membership grew rapidly under the leadership of Pastor Johnson. In 1924, it was decided that a two-story building would be erected on the locations. In the first phase of the process, a 60 X70 feet basement was built, which was used for worship services. In 1928, the basement was expanded, due to the continued growth of the membership. The second phase began in 1930 with the launch of a building program to erect a sanctuary over the basement. Since the building program began during the Great Depression, the church membership spent hours, days and months praying and working to raise the funds needed to complete the building.
In 1931, Pastor Johnson became seriously ill. The deacons and Mrs. J. M. C. Amos led the church in continuing to raise funds for the building program. Reverend Horace G. Belcher carried out the pastoral responsibilities and Reverend Walter Kinsley Jackson, a high school student, preached the sermons. In the early months of 1933, Pastor Johnson began to regain his health and was able to resume the pastoral responsibilities. Shortly after his health was restored, the sanctuary was completed. The church held a grand “Entrance Celebration” on the first Sunday in June 1933. This began a St. John Church tradition to celebrate its entrance on this date each year.
Now that Pastor Johnson was well, his main objective was to lead the church in liquidating the debt incurred by the medical expenses and the building program. Even though the entire country was in the middle of an economic depression, the membership of St. John guided by the leadership of Pastor john, prayed, sacrificed and struggled to obtain the needed funds. Finally, they met their goal in 1942 by liquidating the debts of the church. Since this was such a great accomplishment, St. John held its first Mortgage Burning” celebration in June of that year.
A few years later, Pastor Johnson’s health began to wane. He approached the church with a request for assistance, and recommended his son in the ministry, Reverend Walter K. Jackson. The Reverend Jackson had been Pastor of the Corinth Baptist Church in Ardmore, Oklahoma. After Reverend Jackson prayed about the move, he and his wife, Eula Lee accepted the invitation of the church. In June 1945, he became the Assistant Pastor.
Pastor Johnson’s wisdom, experience and dedication to God, combined with the highly intelligent, dependable, God fearing and strong leadership qualities of Pastor Jackson made a great team for “this, the Lord’s Church”. This was the beginning of a tradition that exists to this day.
Co-Pastor Jackson had graduated from Bishop College in 1937 and brought new ideas and progressive methods to the church. He had observed a critical need in Oklahoma City and across the state for religious training of ministers and laymen. He suggested that the church establish an institute to teach the Bible and Baptist doctrine. He felt that the institute could serve a dual purpose. It would be a living monument honoring and recognizing Pastor Johnson, and provide a means to teach, educate and train ministers and laymen in theology. This idea was readily accepted by the church, and in September 1949, the Johnson Memorial Bible Institute (JMBI) was established. Reverend Thomas Decosta Callendar, a graduate of Gordon College in Boston, Massachusetts was appointed Dean of the Institute. Through his able guidance, the Institute met its goal and provided training to many students across the state.
Co-Pastor Jackson realized that adequate space was needed to expand the educational auxiliaries of the church, and he proposed the addition of an educational building. This proposal was accepted by the church. In June 1951, a ground-breaking ceremony was held. In one short year, the $150,000 three- story building was completed. St. John held an “Entrance Celebration” on the first Sunday in June 1952.
The years of Christian growth and service to God and the community continued. Then, there was a period of sadness for our church. In 1960, Hattie Johnson became gravely ill, and on December 24, Christmas Eve, she passed. On September 1, 1961, less than a year later, Pastor Johnson passed, also. These events, though grievous, did not stop the church from moving forward. It created a courage and faithfulness to God which has carried it through other difficult times.
Now, Reverend W. K. Jackson was Pastor of St. John, and under his strong leadership, the church continued to grow, teach and serve. Pastor Jackson served as President of the Oklahoma Baptist State Convention in1966. With the help of fellow ministers, he began implementing the work of Christian missions.
In 1970, a City-wide Urban Renewal Project moved out many of the residents and businesses surrounding the church. Pastor Jackson, under the direction of the Lord, led St. John to purchase nine acres located at 5700 North Kelley. He stated, “I came to the meaningful conclusion that we must walk by faith and not by sight.” In 1978 the Drama Department was organized under the leadership of Sister Jewel Beatty, with Brother Ulysses McElroy as its chairman. The ministry was developed to communicate Christian ideas and values through dramatic activities.
The church had the land, but needed finances to build a new facility. Individual members made yearly pledges, and finally a bond drive secured the funds needed to start the construction. A ground- breaking ceremony was held the first Sunday in June, 1977. Pastor Jackson devoted his time to the pastoral responsibilities and raising funds for constructing the building. Deacon Matthew Mason was Chairman of the Building Committee, and he directed the construction of the building. The church continued its activities.
Two years later, the church was ready to move into its new edifice, valued at $1.5 million dollars. A huge “Entrance Celebration” was held on the first Sunday in June 1979. The ceremonies included a seven a.m. prayer meeting, breakfast at the church site on Second and Phillips and a motor parade across the city.
The St. John family grew with the new church facility. A need developed to keep in contact with our large church family. The Parish Fellowship Ministry was created in order to share Christian love and support for the membership.. Reverend Lovis Mays was assigned Associate Pastor in charge of this ministry.
Even though the administrative staff had increased, Pastor Jackson needed assistance with the pastoral responsibilities. He requested that the church create an Assistant-to-the-Pastor position to serve according to his needs and direction. The idea was well received, and in June 1980, Reverend Michael Joseph Millben and his wife, Althea joined the St. John Family. The Millben’s came to Oklahoma City from Pontiac, Michigan.
In September 1980, the role of Director of JMBI was added to his list of responsibilities. Dean Callendar had resigned the position earlier that year to found his own Bible school. Under the guidance of the Assistant-to-the-Pastor, a five member Board of Directors was developed. In July 1983, he was terminated as Assistant-to-the Pastor.
This was a difficult period for St. John, but with prayer, our faith in the Lord and the strong leadership of Pastor Jackson, we were able to stay focused and “let the Lord do it.”
After Reverend Millben’s departure, Dr. Thomas E. English became Director of the JMBI. He was responsible for adding an Adult Continuing Education Department to the Institute. Reverend Cliet Wilburn was hired as Director of Christian Education to give leadership to religious education and the teaching ministry of the church.
A children’s church was organized by Pastor Jackson and Reverend Wilburn in April 1984. The church was formed for pre-school through pre-teen age groups with a complete worship service and educational activities. Reverend Lee Benson became its first Minister and Sister Carrie Warner was appointed as its Director.
The need still existed for an Assistant-to-the-Pastor; the search began. The search ended on the first Sunday in January 1984 when the Reverend Major Lewis Jemison assumed the position. He and his wife, Jacqueline came to Oklahoma City from Dallas, Texas. The Assistant-to-the Pastor was a graduate of Bishop College and Associate Pastor of the Concord Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas.
A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Co-Pastor Jemison came to St John thoroughly trained, having achieved a Master of Theology Degree from Perkins Theological Seminary at Southern Methodist University. In May 1990, he received a terminal degree, a Doctorate of Ministry from the Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. A well-balanced educator, he holds a Certificate from Timberlawn Psychiatric Hospital as Certified Psychiatric Counselor.
During the 1988, Annual Church meeting, Reverend M. L. Jemison, was unanimously voted to Co-Pastor. In this position, he gave leadership to the pastoral and administrative duties of the Lord’s church. In 1991, under his leadership, a $1.4 million dollar Capital Stewardship Program was initiated, which generated nearly $600,000. With the assistance of our trustees and Pastor Jackson, the church is presently operating above the annual budget.
Under Co-Pastor Jemison’s leadership, several new and innovative ministries have been created or reactivated. The church accounting system is now thoroughly computerized, along with the entire business office. In 2002, a Business Director was hired to head this department. Additionally, the Fine Arts Department was reorganized to include the music ministry (all choirs and a 25 piece church orchestra), drama department, decoration ministry, video and audio ministry. Among the ministries that have been reactivated are: the Physical Fitness Ministry, Evangelism Ministry, Prayer and Visitation Ministry, Hospitality Committee, and the Social Services Commission. The Optimist Club was established in 1999. In 2002, the role of the Social Department was expanded to include weekly meals before Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting.
Walking in the footsteps of his mentor, Pastor Jackson, Co-Pastor Jemison’s religious and civic affiliation extends beyond the boundaries of the United States. In the Thirty-Third Annual Session of the Progressive National Baptist Convention (PNBC), Co-Pastor Jemison was unanimously elected Second Vice-President of the Convention which has a membership that reaches as far as Africa, England and Cuba. Reverend Jemison finished a successful tenure as President of the Progressive National Baptist Convention’s Southwest Region. He then moved rapidly up the (PNBC) presidential ladder which will culminate in August, 2002 with his expected ascension to the presidency.
To name a few of his affiliations, he is a Nannie Helen Burrough School Board Member, PNBC Resolution Committee Chairman, L. K. Williams Ministers Institute Board Meeting, Martin Luther Kind, Jr. Celebration Day Chairman and an Oklahoma City Rotary Club member. Dd. Jemison is also a member of the ACC Board of Directors.
Working along side Pastor Jackson and Pastor Jemison is a talented team of highly productive staff members, who work diligently in carrying out the vision of this, the Lord’s church. There are full time and part time staff members. The membership also willingly volunteer their service to make this church an efficiently operated machine for the work of the Lord.
With the growing membership, auxiliaries and activities, the church was in need of additional space. Therefore, in April, 1985, a $1.25 million bond drive was launched for the second phase of construction. During the second phase, the “John Wesley and Hattie Johnson Manse” was relocated and restored at our present location in honor of their memory. Their home has been dedicated as the Heritage House and contains valued historical records, documents and memoirs of the church. The heritage House will continue to be used for the collection, storage and display of the historical records of St. John.
The new addition to St. John was completed in 1986, and on the first Sunday in June, 1986, an Entrance Celebration” was held for the W. K. Jackson Family Life Center. This structure consisted of a new library, expanded kitchen facilities, theatrical facilities, class rooms, office space and a nursery.
In 1989, the St. John Christian Heritage Academy was founded. It offers elementary Education from Kindergarten through Sixth grade in a Christian environment. The theme of the academy, “Stand Tall, Think Tall and live Tall” supports the objective to develop students to be caring, self-disciplined and to demonstrate moral character.
Because we believe that it happens after prayer, the 1990’s was declared “The Decade of Prayer.” St. John has been through much as a church family, but has always relied on the prayers of its members to take us through difficult times. We believe that as long as we seek God first, petitioning Him in prayer, we can overcome all obstacles.
In 1991, a drive began to retire the existing debt on our present facility and to raise funds for the construction of a building for the St. john Christian Heritage Academy. This $1.2 million dollar campaign has as its compelling theme, “Not equal giving, but equal sacrifice.” The mortgage Burning Ceremony was held in June, 2001.
The millennium brought recognition of the need for continued prayer while building families for the expansion of our work for the Lord. Therefore, the decade of the Family was declared for 2000. Programs designed to build families were implemented. We held our first Woman’s conference in June of 2001 under the leadership of Sis. Jackie Jemison. A Men’s conference is planned for the year 2002 under the leadership of Casell Lawson and Rick Romain. Additionally, a fund raising drive was launched to buy two organs - a new three manuel Rodgers Trillium organ and a renovated Hammond B-3 organ. The drive will culminate with a dedication on the first Sunday in June, 2002. During the E. K. Bailey Expository Preaching Seminar, Pastor Jackson was recognized for his longtime dedication to preachers and the ministry. More than 500 ministers from across the United States joined in the celebration of our esteemed Pastor Emeitus.
As Pastor Jackson’s health began to decline, his family requested that he be relieved of all official duties. The church concurred with their wishes and on December 12, 2001 Pastor W. K. Jackson was designated Pastor Emeritus and Rev. M. L. Jemsion was elected Senior Pastor of the church. The official recognition of this change will take place on April 7, 2002 This process linked the lineage and leadership tradition of this church.
In January, 1994, we celebrated our 75th Anniversary. In recognition of this momentous occasion, the year was dubbed A Diamond Jubilee Celebration. Like a diamond, the church began as a rough stone and as the years passed it was cut, rubbed and finally has been made smooth. The church celebrated and stopped to reflect on the past, recognize our humble beginning, the great contribution of our leaders and members, our hard times, major accomplishments and most of all, gave honor to the Lord for what He had done with “this the Lord’s Church” and His people. Only with His favor, our obedience, faith in His Word and standing on His promises are we able to fulfill the Great Commission that He has given us. Let us continue to praise Him for all that He has done, is doing and will do in our lives. Then we can shout and sing – “It’s Hallelujah Time! ! !
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