THE EARLY YEARS
Old Hillsboro Road
The beginning of the historic St. John Missionary Baptist Church is marked with such interesting history reflecting the depths of loyalty, sincere devotion, and matchless fortitude which dwell in the hearts of its heroic God chosen founder.
In the month of July, 1879, the Reverend Harrison Harding, through divine inspiration and full of faith in God, preaching the gospel, baptizing and establishing church from Missouri to Tennessee; came upon a handful of people living in a community on Old Hillsboro Road called Jones Lane.
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Finding Our Name
They gathered together in one of the member’s home and organized them into a church congregation, giving them the name of St. John Missionary Baptist Church, of Jones Lane. In the same meeting, Rev. Harrison Harding, was unanimously elected pastor, and at once he began to work. Under his leadership the little vine grew steadily and a wonderful spirit of Christianity was exemplified by the members. However, Reverend Harding resigned and went to Kansas and the flock was without a shepherd. The group continued their services several months, then a migration took place and a large number of them moved into the city limits of Nashville, and began their worship from house to house.
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Expansion
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By this time, a young minister by the name of J. A. Kirkpatrick had joined them, and an old storefront was secured on Patterson Street where they worshipped until they were able to secure a lot on Pearl Street, between 11th and 12th. Here they built an old harbor, or rather, a tent building, out of old pieces of tin, rags, sacks, and a bed ticking, with brush for the covering, and the ground for the floor, and upon this sawdust was spread. Here the congregation grew rapidly and money was raised. Rev. Johnnie Graham and three of the deacons led the way for the erection of a building next to the lot where they had their tent. Here the first Saint John Church building was erected as a permanent place of worship. During the erection of the building, one of the leading members who was a workman on the building, Bro. Hugh Johnson, met with an accident and was seriously injured. After weeks of illness, he died and his funeral was the first funeral in the new church.
FINDING A HOME
Rev. Kirkpatrick was called Father Kirkpatrick by many of the members. He labored long and hard as the membership grew rapidly. After years of service, Rev. Kirkpatrick's health failed and he was forced from active service as a pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. D. A. Weakly, a young minister of the congregation. He led the congregation successfully until he resigned and moved into East Nashville where he accepted the Cowan Street Baptist Church. During this period of waiting, the congregation extended a call to Rev. W. H. Whittaker, pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Smyrna, TN. Rev. Whittaker accepted the church and it took on new life. Under his leadership, this spot of ground was purchased and the basement was built. Leaving the Pearl Street Church, Reverend Whittaker led the congregation to this basement where they worshipped God. After 12 years, Rev. Whittaker resigned and the people were again without a leader.
During this trying time, a few of the members scattered, but some stood still and waited on God. Through hardships, tears, scorns and disappointments, the God whom they served and trusted, the same God we serve and trust, came to their aide by sending to them the Reverend John Wesley Pitts, pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Nashville; who agreed to serve as a supervising pastor. Rev. Pitts came and looked over the situation and presented his plans to the members. Soon he had rekindled the flame of hope, and a brighter day was drawing for this once discouraged congregation.
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After 12 months of Reverend Pitts' leadership and fearless gospel preaching, this beautiful upper auditorium was erected and on the 15th day of May, 1927, led by Rev. Pitts along with many other pastors of the city, the congregation marched into this new church praising and thanking God for deliverance. At that time this church was known as the largest and most up-to-date church in North Nashville with almost perfect acoustics. Due to heavy commitments at Mt. Zion, Reverend Pitts could no longer direct the religious affairs at St. John and advised the members to call a pastor. In June 1927, Reverend Samuel Henry Simpson of Galveston, Texas was called. Reverend Simpson assumed pastorate on the 2nd Sunday in July 1927.
Our Renaming
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Under his wise leadership, the church expanded spiritually and financially. Because of this progress, Reverend Simpson named our church GREATER ST. JOHN. For 32 years, Reverend Simpson labored continuously. In 1959, he offered his resignation to the church, and it was accepted.
HOW WE GREW
Dr. Frank M. Spence​
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After due consideration, Reverend F. M. Spence was called who was also a member of the congregation. He accepted the call in March of 1959 and on the 2nd Sunday night in April, he was fully installed. Rev. Spence was successful in leading our congregation for 28 years. Under his leadership, we grew spiritually, materially and financially. Many souls were added to the roll. During his leadership a new organ, communion table, central heat and air, and extensive remodeling was done. He not only caused Greater St. John to advance, but he himself advanced in his ministry by studying hard and longing to obtain his Doctor of Divinity Degree; which was presented to him on the 4th Sunday in November 1973. He was also honored for extensive community work and civic activities.
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When Dr. Spence retired in 1986, Rev. Herbert Brown, then an associate minister, was appointed assistant pastor, and with the assistance of Dr. Spence; took charge of the church. In September of 1987, due to ill health, Dr. Spence offered his resignation. As has been stated, under his twenty-eight years of leadership, the church advanced greatly and many souls were brought to Christ. Dr. Spence was then retired as Pastor Emeritus. God called him to his heavenly home on September 24, 1989, after a long, extended illness.
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Rev. Herbert T. Brown
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As we moved forward with prayer and God's help, it was voted by the church on the 4th Sunday in January 1988 that Rev. Herbert T. Brown become our new pastor. Pastor Brown was installed Sunday March 6, 1988. This was another outstanding moment in the history of the church and lives of Rev. Herbert T. Brown and his family. Let us continue to move forward. We must always respect the past and focus our sights on the future. With God's help through prayer, faith, and togetherness, we will succeed.
In 1995, the Lord gave Pastor Brown the vision to build a new church building. We purchased approximately 2-1/2 acres of land at the cost of $150,000.00 and it was put on a 60-month note, and the Lord blessed us to pay the note off in only 28 months. We purchased a new church van for $19,000.00 to help get some of our new members to Sunday School and Worship Services.
In 1997, we talked with T.W. Frierson Contractors to give us a bid on building a new church building. The first bid was $1,700,000.00 and at that price we were not financially able to start at that time. We started working with two local banks, First American and Third National and the more money we had the more they said we needed. So, we went back to the people, we put on a pledge to raise money for 15 months and after that we were still short of our goal. Then we went to talk with SouthTrust Bank and within a few months, the loan was approved. Two years later, we returned to T.W. Frierson to begin the discussion of building a new church and found out that now the cost had raised from $1,700,000.00 to $2,600,000.00.We also had to purchase another 1.75 acres of land for parking at the cost of $50,000.00. The Lord heard the many prayers of the saints and by the grace of God, the Lord blessed us to pay cash. ​We had our groundbreaking ceremony June 27, 1999. The total price of the land, building and furnishings came to about $3,000,000.00. Due to the growth of our church we have had to purchase another new church van for $19,000.00 and the Lord blessed us to pay for it with cash.
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Rev. Herbert T. Brown served as pastor for thirty-four years before retiring as Pastor Emeritus, in April of 2022.
WHERE WE ARE GOING
Dr. James K. Bailey, III​
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On January 23, 2022 the members of Greater St. John Missionary Baptist Church unanimously elected, Dr. James. K. Bailey, III as our new pastor. Dr. Bailey became the official pastor on May 1, 2022. Dr. James K. Bailey was hand selected by Rev. Herbert T. Brown to become our pastor because he was Brown first son of the ministry.
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No matter how big or small we become, we dream of being a people passionate and vocal about the gospel; mature and devoted to Jesus; missional, connected, and full of the Spirit; and radical in the way we live and love for the glory of God. On May 1, 2022 the official logo for the church was adopted. The logo was designed by Ramon Johnson, a member of the congregation.
On June 29, 2022 our mission, vision and operating principle's became clear, as we developed ministry with our congregants in mind. It was also the decision of the leadership to establish our name as Greater St. John Baptist Church for marketing purposes. Over the next several years, as we continued to grow and mature as a church family, we began to see that God was handing us an incredible story and an opportunity to make the Gospel known both locally and globally.
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As things changed here over the years, we have had to learn and grow through it. We’ve had to develop new and creative ways to continue to provide spaces where people can be challenged and encouraged, grow a deep connection, and do life together as they abide in Jesus. The processes and programs are never perfect, but God remains faithful as He continues to lead us in the journey of becoming a healthy biblical community that reflects God’s kingdom in its diversity and unity.