What Every Member Must Know Now about Saint John, 1905 - 2007.

Few members realize that the Church is the body of Christ, and “History is His story.” We must be sober scholars of our past to appreciate the present, and expect great things in the future!

What was 1905’s hottest church news? It was good news about a strange birth without a birth certificate, a noble birthright in an unusual birthplace, and a Divine birthmark with a topaz birthstone. It was noised about that the third Afro-American Church of Wichita Falls was born in November, 1905. It was conceived in God’s bosom, and founded upon the “Rock of Ages.”

Saint John was visualized by twelve charter members, organized by the Reverend W.M. Massey in the borrowed quarters of Titus Chapel C.M.E. Church at 206 Park Street (renamed and relocated: Gilbert Memorial C.M.E. Church at 713 Redwood), held its first worship service, and named by Mrs. Lizzie S. Richardson. Yes, 1905’s hottest church news was about the humble birth of Saint John Baptist Church.

The small church soon moved to the Odd Fellows Hall at 201 Brick, initiated a building fund campaign, and purchased our first piece of property August 11, 1906 ... between Barwise and Granger at a cost of seventy five dollars ($75.00) cash. Two trustees, Andrew Byrd and William Johnson, transacted the papers. In 1906, a small frame building was built on the lot at 106 Park and Barwise” (Mrs. Gwen C.E. Jackson).

On June 8, 1913, according to the Wichita Daily Times (June 9, 1913), our first permanent place of worship was burned. The Reverend William M. (W.M.) Washington resigned. Armed with faith in God, a brush arbor was erected on the same lot for worship.

On September 22, 1913, a lot was purchased at a cost of $550.00 at 301 Par and Garden. Under the leadership of the Reverend Luther S. Arthur (1913 until 1916), a basement was built at the new location. The Reverend L.S. Arthur served as our pastor until the latter part of 1916.

In February, 1917, God sent the Reverend M.K. Curry, Sr. to serve as the eighth pastor. Under his profound leadership the membership flourished as spiritual giants. The inelegant basement was changed into one of the most beautiful two-story brick veneer structures between Fort Worth and Denver. In 1917, a four-room house behind the church was purchased as the first parsonage. Pastor Curry’s progressive leadership ended in February, 1919 (he accepted the charge: Mount Zion Baptist Church, Fort Worth, Texas).

In 1919, the Reverend A.L. Wright ministered as the ninth pastor. In 1921, Saint Matthew Baptist Church at 412 Dallas, was organized by our church to meet the spiritual needs of the Kemp Addition. On October 24, 1921, two lots were purchased (Lots 17 and 18, Block 19, J.A. Kemp, and others) at the corner of Wichita (Denison) and Galveston. He faithfully led the church five years, and “returned to his home in Dallas, Texas.”

In 1924, the Reverend M.K. Curry, Sr. returned as our leader. On July 30, 1924, a lot was purchased for future growth at 423 Welch. In 1925, a beautiful nine-room two-story parsonage was built at 423 Welch. The numerical and spiritual growth were beyond measure.

When times were lean, a new $100,000 edifice was considered, but postponed. Meanwhile, on April 25, 1929, several lots were purchased: three (3) on Sullivan, two (2) on Welch, and two (2) in the Kemp Addition. The cost was $1,700 cash. Pastor Curry served well until 1930.

In 1931, the Reverend Moses P. Timms ministered as the eleventh pastor, and served nine years. He was a bridge builder among the races, a civic leader, and a scholar.

During the Reverend Timms leadership, the depression and opposing winds swept through the Saint John Family and gave birth to Antioch Baptist Church.

In 1940, the Reverend J.A. Kemple served as pastor during the difficult days of World War II. He accepted the call to West End Baptist Church, San Antonio, Texas in 1946.

In 1947, the Reverend T.R. Smith, a former Chaplain at S.A.F.B., served as the thirteenth pastor. He was a military chaplain at civic-minded, worked well with others, and established a Recreational Park on Sullivan Street.

In April 1951, the Reverend Louis B. (L.B.) George guided the Saint John Family. He inspired the congregation to sell the two lots at Denison and Galveston for $10,000; built and established a Day Care Center at 421 Welch , and kicked-off a Building Fund Drive for a new church. “Friendship Bonds” were sold for $5.00 each.

The church grew under the Reverend L.B. George’s leadership until his call to Mount Zion Baptist Church, Amarillo, Texas, in 1955. Between 1905 and 1955, Saint John Baptist Church gave birth to several preachers of the Gospel Ministry; the Reverend (s):

*Matthew
*Harris
Dr. Sandy F. Ray
Milton K. Curry, Jr.
Charlie Lewis
B.M. Moore
Willie M. Young
*Given name unknown

In 1955, the Reverend Luther D. (L.D.) Bell’s pastorate began. He immediately saw the need for a public address system, conducted a religious census, led a great revival, and started a back-to-church movement. The parsonage was also remodeled. As a matter of fact, in 1966, the Bell’s were the last ministerial family to live in the second parsonage at 423 Welch Street.

The building fund, initiated by the Reverend L.B. George through the sale of real estate, increased to the amount of $18,000. A proposed expressway (now Eastside Drive), demanded the sale of “four lots: corner Sullivan, Homes and Welch.” From this sale our building fund increased to $35,000.

In 1956, three lots were purchased at 1009 Flood Street, corner of Flood and Holland. The construction of a long sought dream (a new edifice) was dedicated August 3, 1958. The eighth pastor, the Reverend M.K. Curry, Sr., who built our former church above the basement at 300 Park in 1917, returned to give the dedicatory sermon. Pastor Bell made an indelible impression upon the sand of time.

In February of 1967, Pastor Billy R. Delaney accepted the challenge of leading the Saint John Family as our sixteenth (16th) pastor, and the second pastor within fifty (50) years.

God sent Pastor Delaney to us and his strong determination has not waned. His vision and focus are current and in cadence with the 21st-Century.

Ministers licensed for the work of the Gospel Ministry are the Reverend (s):

*The late Roy L. Vasher
*Raymon Otey
Donald Phillips
Roy Lee Brown
Willie Hall
*Mark A. booker
*Judge E. Smith, Jr.
*Paul R. Delaney
* Indicates Ordained

1967: Leased temporary parsonage

1968: Sold second parsonage at 423 Welch Street; Burned existing mortgage

1969: Built existing parsonage

1970: Began a ten (10) years “do-it-yourself / pay-as-we-go” renovation church project

1974: Purchased first Church Van

1976: Established a Savings Fund

1979: Built 4,000 Sq. Ft. Learning Center to existing church edifice

1980: Elected Moderator of OWT Baptist Assn.

1981: Existing pews donated by families

1982: Organized Children’s Church

1986: Purchased second Church Van

1988: Sound equipment & Wrought Iron Railings donated

1989: Burned mortgage on Learning Center

1990: Established Scholarship & Awards Ministry

1992: Automated Chimes, Fiberglass Steeple, Computers and several lots donated

1993: Underground sprinkling system donated

1995: Nursery Cribs, and VCR donated, elected Moderator OWT Baptist District Assn

1996: Krog ProX Synthesizer donated

1998: Established Trust Fund—”Planned Giving & Endowment Ministry

1999: First full-time Minister of Music

2000: Purchased New Choir Robes

2001: Student Center Annex opened 1011 Tulsa Street

2004: Renovated interior of Church

2005: 100th Celebration, and Ground breaking for New Church Parking Lot, and since 1992 purchased 31 real properties