St. John's History

History

St. John’s was founded in 1853 at its present location on Chestnut and Mulberry Streets. It was the first Episcopal congregation in Pennsylvania to be established without a pew rental system, and so was called St. John’s Free Church. Wealthy and poor parishioners were able to come together as equals in their worship of God, an unusual practice at that time for Episcopal congregations. The original church structure did not include the parish hall, the education wing, or the former rectory that you see today. These were added over the years as our church family grew and ministries and outreach increased. A fire in 1938 necessitated major renovation to the original structure. Today St. John’s, part of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, is a warm and vibrant urban church that retains many of the ceremonies and customs of its Anglo-catholic heritage, yet continues to welcome everyone as equals to God’s table.

In 2003,  A Brief History of St. John’s Episcopal Church (4^th Edition, hardbound) was published by the late Arthur C. Lord, a life Vestry member, to commemorate St. John’s 150^th anniversary.  Along with interesting historical accounts, it contains photographs of former rectors, our beautiful stained glass windows and their dedications, and many pictures of the interior and exterior of St. John’s over the years.  It is available for a nominal cost.  Please contact the church office if you would like to have a copy.