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History

 

At Saint John's there are the very old and the very young; second, third and fourth generation Episcopalians and newcomers to the Episcopal tradition; lifelong Saint John's members and relative newcomers; affluent and average; city dwellers and suburbanites; two career families and stay-at-home moms; and to a much lesser extent, diverse as to racial and ethnic heritage. Traditionally, there has been accommodation for different theological perspectives - disagreeing with another's stance but caring for and respecting the person.
 

Saint John's existed as a mission church in the Buntyn area of Memphis since the 1870s. Diocesan Convention records show that Saint John's was admitted to the diocese in 1871, probably for the second time. The little church suffered numerous setbacks through the years including devastation by fire at least twice.

The congregation petitioned for parish status in 1928 and called the Rev. Alfred Loaring-Clark as St. John's first rector. The little church building at Semmes and Spottswood accommodated the small congregation, but the new parish grew rapidly and soon the church was "straining at the seams" with increasing attendance. The great depression dampened the first expansion plans, but the parish continued to grow throughout the 1930s.

According to the September 1941 vestry minutes, plans for a new church were talked about and a building committee was formed. Plans for a new church building were announced at the parish meeting in January 1942. Historic Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg, Virginia, served as an inspiration for the Georgian architecture that was chosen. Construction plans were to proceed as soon as wartime restrictions would permit.
 

The cornerstone of the new sanctuary was consecrated on January 30, 1949, and the new building was completed in time for Palm Sunday services on April 10. When Saint John's Church was consecrated that May 22, the senior warden presented the church building to The Diocese of Tennessee in the name of the congregation - a debt-free building worthy to be consecrated. It would be another two years before the interior of the church building was completed. The beautiful and distinctive murals were painted by John DeRosen. Construction of the complex according to the architect's plans was completed in phases over several years, with financing pacing the construction.
 
 

Saint John's boundaries expanded over the years as adjacent properties became available at fair market price and when funding could be managed. The need for off-street parking spaces and the long-held dream of having an activities and parish life center sparked the interest in additional land. Over the past 15 years there have been two campaigns for major building renovation programs and the construction of a Parish Life Center. These campaigns funded the improvements to the church facility.

By 1997, plans for the Parish Life Center began to coalesce. Saint John's mission for the Parish Life Center called for the new facility not only to serve the parish, but also as an outreach ministry in the Memphis community. Consecrated in late 1999, this beautiful and functional building enhances and complements the handsome complex and grounds of Saint John's Parish.

The Clergy of Saint John's
The Rev. Alfred Loaring-Clark
Alfred Loaring-Clark was rector of Saint John's for 24 years, until his sudden death at the age of 51. Rev. Loaring-Clark died in March of 1952 and was buried in the chancel of Saint John's. Undoubtedly, those who knew "Tib" Loaring-Clark as their rector and friend are among "those who've been members since Central was a gravel road." But many others who subsequently have come to Saint John's are benefactors of his legacy as well.

The Rev. Wallace M. PennepackerThe Rev. Wallace M. Pennepacker,was appointed by the vestry to serve as acting rector and later called to succeed Rev. Loaring-Clark as rector. Penny, as he was affectionately known, was rector for 31 years, until his retirement in 1983. Penny continued his valued service in the diocese, including appointments as a Canon to the bishop and as an interim rector. Following his second retirement in 1990, Penny was named Rector Emeritus. The Rev. Pennepacker died in late 2001.The Rev. Steward Wood

In 1984 the Rev. Stewart Wood was called as the third rector of Saint John's and served until 1988 when he was elected Bishop Coadjutor of Michigan, subsequently to serve as diocesan bishop.
 
The Rev. James Malone ColemanStu was succeeded by the Rev. James M. Coleman. Jim returned to Memphis where he had grown up and been ordained deacon, to serve as the fourth rector of Saint John's. His tenure as rector from 1989-1993 was cut short by his election as Bishop Coadjutor of The Diocese of West Tennessee. He was seated as the Second Bishop of West Tennessee in 1994 and served until his retirement in August 2001.
 
The Rev. L. Noland Pipes, Jr.In 1994, the Rev. L. Noland Pipes, Jr., former Canon Missioner of the diocese and the founding rector of Church of the Annunciation in Cordova, TN, was called to serve as fifth rector. Noland's retirement was effective June 30, 2002. In July 2003 the Rev. John W. Sewell was called as the sixth rector of Saint John's.

Saint John's has been a fertile field for developing clergy and lay leaders in the church and in the community. Its membership is well represented on leadership committees and boards of church, community, cultural and civic organizations.

Since 1953, 11 people have been ordained as deacons at Saint John's Church, later to be ordained as priests. Seven of these grew up at St. John's and four were active parishioners when they entered the discernment process. Another six were ordained to the priesthood while serving at Saint John's and three members of the Saint John's laity have been ordained to serve as vocational deacons.