THE HISTORY OF ST JOHN, THE EVANGELIST, BAPTIST CHURCH

The emergence of St John, The Evangelist, Baptist Church has its origins in the development of the Columbia Cooperative Ministry (CCM) beginning in 1963. The need for a black religious presence in Columbia was raised by CCM Commission member, William A. Ross, Sr., in 1968, when he had the Ministry proffer an invitation to the African Methodist Episcopal Church to join the Congress of the Cooperative Ministry. 

A greater focus on the need for Black ministerial leadership presence resulted from a suggestion by Rev. Clayton Hammond, a Black minister who led the United Methodist Commission on Race and Religion, at a Commission meeting in August, 1970. He suggested that CCM formulate criteria for recruiting minority clergy and take action to ensure that the Ministry include all racial groups residing in Columbia. In September, Rev. Hammond introduced a group of fifteen Black Columbia residents who shared his concern that CCM address the religious needs of all racial groups in Columbia. Clarke E. Gordon Sr., acted as the spokesman for that group and discussed the following goals which were adopted by the Commission: include the Black members of the community in the religious decision-making process, secure the services of Black minister oriented to the needs of Black people, assure Black participation in the restructuring of CCM staff, and evidence a commitment to the removal of racism. 

Between September and November of 1970, the CCM Personnel Committee, chaired by Commission member Edward D. Young, interviewed and rejected a number of candidates for staff positions. The Committee then advised Rev. Glenn Orr of the American Baptist Convention (ABC), which was to supply the next CCM staff minister, that only minority candidates would be considered. During November, the Personnel Committee and the CCM staff interviewed Rev. Walter Long, who was on the ABC staff and recommended that he be assigned to the CCM staff. Rev. Long accepted the assignment and reported to the CCM Commission in mid-December. 

By January 1971, Rev. Long had organized for the emerging St John Baptist Church an Ad Hoc Steering Committee that initially included William and Pinnie Ross, Tom and Bernice McGowan, Quinton and Eleanor Shelton, Edward and Mildred Young, and Llewelyn and Sadie Woolford. Other members were added to the Steering Committee and represented the emerging church on various CCM committees. On March 7, 1971, the Church held its first worship service in the conference rooms (Room 10 and 11) of the Wilde Lake Interfaith Center. Rev. Long's first sermon reflected the "New Thing" that God was doing in Columbia. More than 100 Columbians and friends attended the first service. 

On February 16, 1972, the Rev. C. Glenn Orr, Associate Secretary of the Parish Development Division of the American Baptist Home Mission Society, preached the charter sermon. Seventy-two Christians signed the Charter Roll and were inducted as charter members of St John Baptist Church. The following persons were elected to the first Board of Managers: William Parker, Esq., Chair; James F. Cooper, MD Vice Chair; Delroy Cornick, Clarence Frazier, Pinnie Ross, Richard Snodgrass and Edward Young, Treasurers. Christine George was elected Church Clerk; Shirley Schuster, Assistant Church Clerk; Veeta Jiles, Financial Secretary; Sadie Woolford, Sunday School Coordinator; and George Taylor, DDS was elected Usher Chair. The Choir leaders were Pinnie Ross, President; Hugh Jackson, Director; and Judy Cook, Pianist. Programs, auxiliaries and boards were established to carry on the work of the new church. 

By April 24, 1974, approximately 125 members and friends of the Church filed Articles of Incorporation with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation. They were certified and recorded on May 1, 1974. The signatories to the Article were William A. Ross, Sr., Chair of the Board of Managers; Delores Thomas, Vice Chair; Gene Bradford, Treasurer; and Mayfield K. Webb, Esq. 

Rev. Long retired in 1976. Since then the church has been served by the following ministers: Phillip Rushing (Interim Pastor), Dr. Walter L. Parrish (Pastor), Isiah Paul (Associate Minister), William O. Jackson (Interim Pastor), Herbert Eaton (Pastor), Gene Bradford (Associate Minister), Herbert Clinton (Interim Pastor), and Dr. Clarence Newsome (Interim Pastor). In May of 1993, Rev. Dr. Robert A. F. Turner was called to the pastorate of St John, the Evangelist, Baptist Church. 

Rev. Turner's pastorate has brought articulation of the church's mission and vision, increased membership and organization of its ministries. New and expanded programs under his pastorate include the following:

• Creation of the Council of Ministries Coordinators;
• Expansion of the Mentoring Ministry with a $190,000 grant from the Department of Justice, and increased outreach through the Board of Missions, One Church-One Addict Program, Food Pantry, etc.;
• Increased religious activities for youth (AWANA, and Tuesday evening Church School), as well as summer camp and martial arts scholarships;
• Increased religious instruction for the church and its community (Home Study, Church at Study, which has evolved into the Discipleship Training Institute, and Women's Bible Study);
• Integration of Prayer into life of the church (Prayer Team, weekly Prayer and Praise Service, 24-hour Dial-A-Prayer line);
• Increased youth and young adult participation through the Voices of Inspiration Choir and monthly youth Sunday services; and
• Increased congregational support and fellowship through such ministries as Membership Cluster Ministry, Bereavement and Support, Health and Wholeness, Senior Citizen Fellowship, and Travel.