A W. Manning. The membership increased and they relocated a larger wooden structure at the corners of Lime and Glenn Avenue. This facility was called “The Hipper Dorm” and Elder John Roberts led the congregation. Rev. Dr. R. D. Langford played a key role in the group’s purchase of the property on Clark Avenue from A. W. In 1923, the Christian Methodist Episcopal Conference appointed Rev. E. L. Joh
nson as the first pastor. The church, having originally been called Manning Chapel, adopted the name, St. John Colored Methodist Episcopal Church at its first church conference. “Colored” Methodist was changed to “Christian” Methodist at the General Conference in 1954. St. John was destroyed by fire on April 4,1938. At the Quarterly Conference held may 1, 1938, the church requested permission to grant the trustees the power to rebuild the church. Permission was unanimously granted under the authority of J. Roberts, Presiding Elder and chairman of the Durham District. The trustees were granted permission to bargain, contract and rebuild as they saw fit. In 1978 the City of Winston-Salem implemented a redevelopment project, which threatened St. John’s existing location. As part of the project, the road in of the church was reconstructed and its name was changed from Clark Avenue to Crawford Place. At this time the church purchased additional property. Once again, the “determined St. John,” with God’s blessings, prevailed. Even the bulldozers of redevelopment could not move its fierce determination. Stewardess boards 1 and 2 purchased an additional lot from the City of Winston-Salem for a larger parking lot. Under the anointed leadership of Rev. Ronald P. Davis, St. John voted at church conference in 1993 to build a new sanctuary and family life center instead of attempting to do a renovation of the existing church building. In 1996 St. John was blessed with a new pastor, rev. Bobby R. Best, who immediately confirmed, through a vote a church conference, that the membership indeed wished to build a new church and family life center. He challenged the church to focus on building both a physical and spiritual church. This emphasis resulted in adoption of a declaration to discontinue fundraisers. Instead, Rev. Best challenged the membership to become a tithing church. Compliance by much of the membership in this effort has proven to be a blessing both to the tithers and the church.On Sunday, May 28, 2000, St. John broke ground at 350 NW Crawford Place for the new sanctuary and family life center. Construction of the new edifice began March 2001.Until demolition began St. John worship in the “old” church, conducting it final service there on Sunday February 3, 2002. Once the old structure was demolished, morning worship service and Sunday school were conducted at Gilmore’s Memorial Chapel. Despite the multiple locations, membership attendance at the various services remained constant, demonstrating that St. John as a church continued to build our spiritual church as our new physical church was being built. Construction of the new edifice was completed on March 7, 2003. Best preached the first sermon in the new edifice on Sunday, March 9, 2003. The church consecration and dedication services were held on Sunday May 18, 2003 with Bishop Charles L. Helton presiding prelate of the 7th Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church presiding. We know that, with God’s guidance, He has allowed us to erect this most precious temple to His glory and praise. It is our desire most of all, that God’s presence is felt by each person who walks upon these consecrated grounds and enters our new edifice. John, with a humble spirit, will continue to serve God and humanity!
