In 1924, in a community called Lambert Subdivision, now known as Orange Mound, several men recognized the need for a building, which could be used for public Christian worship. Before the year ended, Bro. Robert Taylor, Rev. John Smith, Bro. Jesse Clay, Bro. Jim Alexander, and Rev. John Markham had organized a church – ST. JOHN MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH.

Ministers who have served from St. John’s beginning to the present time are Rev. Anderson Gray, Rev. Charley Campbell, Rev. W. C. Thomas, Rev. L. D. Sanders, Rev. E. L. Blair, Rev. McNeely, Rev. J. B. Webb, Rev. Dennis Harris, Rev. W. C. Holmes, Rev. L. D. McGhee Sr., and Dr. James E. Delaney (presently serving).

Currently serving on the ministerial staff are Minister Johnnie Harris, Minister Arlando Demonn Jones, and Minister Bernard Goliday Sr.

We currently have six (6) Deacons, one Deacon Emeritus, and seven (7) Trustees.

We currently have 13 active ministries and 15 active committees. Our current Music Ministry includes an organist and drummer.

We are currently a member of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Memphis Baptist Congress of Christian Education, Union Progressive Association and its Auxiliaries, and the Tennessee Progressive Baptist Council. Pastor Delaney is Moderator of the Tennessee Progressive Baptist Council.

St. John continues to move forward. —

On Easter Sunday, April 15, 2001, the LORD blessed us to have our first services in our new 12,252 square-foot Sanctuary at 1656 Pendleton with two weeks of pre-dedication, dedication, and revival services. Included with the new Sanctuary were additional classrooms, choir room, women’s lounge, larger offices for the Pastor and Secretary, reception area, and state-of-the-art sound system and telephone system.

In June 2008, the Church purchased additional property at 1662 Pendleton, which now serves as a much-needed parking lot.

In July 2009, the Church paid off the mortgage on its Sanctuary at 1656 Pendleton and celebrated with a Mortgage Burning Ceremony on its 86th Church Anniversary and Homecoming in March 2010.

In August 2012, the Church took possession of a new handicap-accessible van. The old van is still in use.

In April 2016, the Church purchased additional property at 1668 Pendleton, which was later demolished in August 2017, along with the Youth Building to allow for additional parking.

In 2017, Children’s Church was established by Dr. Lena Townsend, Minister James Lee, and Sis. Juanita Edwards.

In April 2017, security cameras were installed and continue to be updated.

On March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared a national state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic. As a result, the Mayor of the City of Memphis declared a state of emergency for the city of Memphis and issued a Safer at Home Executive Order, effective 6 p.m. on March 24, 2020 through midnight June 1, 2020. All nonessential services were halted and businesses, including churches, were asked to close in order to slow down or prevent the spread of the virus. St. John complied and its last services were held on Sunday, March 22, 2020.

In May 2020, restrictions were slowly lifted in phases and churches, along with other businesses, were allowed to open at their own discretion. Pastor Delaney made the decision to reopen our Church on the first Sunday in June (which was June 7, 2020) for worship service. Our Health Care Ministry, Ushers’ Ministry, Officers, and Trustee Board met and quickly put in place guidelines suggested by the Center for Disease Control for reopening churches in the midst of a pandemic. It was decided that only the Sanctuary building would be used. All other buildings would remain closed; other ministries and activities would be halted until such time as it was deemed safe to resume.

In accordance with the CDC guidelines, the Sanctuary building was professionally cleaned and sanitized. Proper signage with respect to distancing was put in place; pews were roped off with seating allowed only on every other bench; use of water fountains was disallowed and some restrooms were blocked off. Personal protective equipment, such as masks, gloves, and gowns, were made available. Masks were required of all who attended worship services. Thermometers were purchased, and temperature checks were required before entrance. Sanitizers were placed at the entrance and in the office areas. Members who had symptoms or did not feel comfortable about returning to the Church were asked to stay home.

Because many of our members were not ready to return to church in person, the online giving account, Givelify, was launched in July 2020. A post office box was secured, and members were encouraged to make their contributions online, by mail, or by bringing them to the Church on designated days. Pastor Delaney began hosting weekly Bible Study classes (Tuesdays) and Sunday School (Thursdays) virtually via Facebook.

On August 23, 2020, for the first time, we celebrated our Pastor’s 31st Anniversary via drive-by. During the pandemic, St. John served as a pick-up location for food boxes for those in need.

Our website was completed in September 2020 by Sister Marcey Wright, St. John member and owner of MineWrite Marketing & Communications. Links to our Facebook page, Twitter account, and YouTube channel were made available on the Church website, where members could enjoy watching Morning Worship Services, Bible Study, and Sunday School Lessons taught by Pastor Delaney.

On October 25, 2020, the Health Ministry held St. John’s first Cancer Awareness Balloon Release to heighten awareness of all types of cancer. (This was during the pandemic, so those in attendance wore masks and practiced social distancing.)

During the pandemic, we have had to change our worship and praise services. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the approval of Pastor Delaney, the following virtual services were held via Zoom and hosted technologically by Brother Jamal Donaldson:

• On December 12, 2020, our first virtual “Women of GOD Zooming in Prayer” session was held by visionary Sister Beatrice Arnold, Chair of the Health Ministry.

• On December 31, 2020, our first virtual Watch Night Service was held by visionary Sister Willie Mae Wade, Interim Director of Christian Education.

• On February 28, 2021, the Black History Committee held St. John’s first virtual Black History Month program, under the leadership of Sister Bettie Norfleet.

• Virtual Teachers’ Meetings, conducted via Zoom, started March 15, 2022 and continues presently.

A vaccine pop-up site was held in May 2021. In conjunction with Methodist – LeBonheur Health Care, St. John hosted a vaccination clinic on May 1, 2022 in order to support neighboring churches and the community.

As part of its community involvement effort, St. John continued to serve as a site for food distribution.

St. John was also surveyed and selected as a voting precinct location for the May, August, and November 2022 elections.

As pandemic restrictions began to ease during the middle and latter part of 2022, the Church began to open its services and bring back some of its ministries.

• Christian Nurture and limited Sunday School classes were restarted.

• The Church van began picking up members for services.

• The choir restarted their services.

• The first in-person Church meeting was held in January 2023.

By GOD’s grace and mercy, we carry on. We thank The LORD for the “Power of Faith, Family, Friends, and Fellowship.”

History is an account of the past. Many of the events of St. John Missionary Baptist Church will surely be forgotten in years to come, but there will always be memories. We have come this far by grace through faith, standing on the promises of GOD.

To GOD be the glory!