The history of the Historic St. John Missionary Baptist Church is preserved with the hope of inspiring our present and future congregation during this new millennium.  It is our prayer that we will protect the ideals and dreams of those who have labored for so long enduring many hardships while working in the Lords’ vineyard.  Certainly, God has been our shield and strength.  He has guided us with his counsel; blessed us by his providence and inspired us with his spirit.

 

According to all the resources that was made available from 1914 until 1924.   A small number of Baptist believers worshipped in their homes, the briar breaks, and under the shade of trees.    In 1924 they recognized the need to have a place where they could all gather to worship and praise the Lord.  A Baptist minister, Reverend Robinson, and his wife, Drucilla Miller, Mr. & Mrs. S. T. Wilson, and Mrs. Hattie Daniels met and arranged to hold worship services in an abandoned wooden building.   As time passed, several other families; Deacon Tal Promise & wife, Deacon Hezekiah Wright & family, and Deacon Cornelius Coleman and his family moved into the area and began to attend worship.  As time passed, they became a faithful band of worshippers in which overtime increased in numbers.

 

During those years, whites started purchasing property in the area forcing the blacks out. This area is now known as “Jan Phyl Village”.  This change transpired quickly overtime.  As a result, black families were now forced to relocate in search of a place to worship while few remained.  Several attended First Missionary Baptist Church in “Florence Villa”, New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in “Boggy Bottom”, and Zion Hill Missionary Baptist church in Pughsville.  As years passed, they endured many problems and struggles.  One day, Deacon Coleman decided that he would save up enough money to purchase used lumber (old church building) from his white owners to build a church building on his own land.  Although he was of the Methodist faith, the Baptist and Methodist prayed and worshipped together.

 

In 1942, Reverend A Lewis (Pastor of First Baptist Church) took Rev. Henry Thompson to that area and introduced him to the group of worshippers.  Eventually, Rev. H. Thompson was named the Pastor of those suggested naming their place of worship St. John Missionary Baptist Church.  Worshippers were devastated when hurricanes demolished the little building in the year of 1943 and 1944.  However, prior to the hurricanes, Deacon Tal Promise’s employer Mr. Marx had donated a plot of land for them to build another sanctuary.  In 1946, Rev. Thompson along with his congregation donated their time and materials:  They all rolled up their sleeves and eventually help build another sanctuary.  In 1959, Rev. Thompson was called to pastor another church.  St. John was once again without a pastor for several months.

 

In September of 1959, St. John extended a call to Earl F. Wright to pastor, who at that time had not been ordained.  In December of 1960, Rev. Wright was ordained to the ministry of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.    Through dedicated service, the membership increased from 12 to 65 members in 2 years.   This growth inspired Rev. E. Wright to build a larger sanctuary.  With the help of King “Buck” Davis, Brother Jimmie Lee Young, and Rev. Charlie C. Harvey, Rev. E. Wright succeeded in building another sanctuary.   Others such as: Deacon Fred C. Burton (Bethel M.B. Church, Lake Alfred) and Zion Hill M.B. Church (Pughsville), donated furniture to complete the sanctuary.  Once again, the congregation grew to the capacity which inspired Rev. E. Wright to pursue a larger sanctuary.

 

In the year of 1971, Rev. E. Wright purchase additional land to build upon.  In the fall of 1974, St. John broke ground to begin to build another sanctuary.  On August of 1975, members marched triumphantly into the present sanctuary to new pews, piano, carpeting, furniture, central air and heat and a public address system.  Soon after, the old church sanctuary was converted to the annex and Fellowship Hall.  The congregation continued to grow with numerous auxiliaries being active.   Through the years, Rev. E. Wright purchased surrounding land for future visions such as parking and church school etc.  He led his congregation to higher dimensions through spiritual teachings and uniting with his neighboring churches.  Through Rev. Wright financial proficiency, St. John succeeded in the burning of the church mortgage under his leadership. 

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On September 1997, Rev. E. Wright answered the call of the Father.  Prior to his calling, he had appointed Rev. Otis Wright to carry on his leadership as Pastor in 1997.  Under the leadership of Rev. Otis Wright, a church van was purchased for the transporting of members far and near for worship.   The Lord then called Rev. O. Wright home in 2001.   Rev. Arthur Salary was appointed to carry on church services until the appointment of Rev. Tony L. Bradley in June of 2002.   Under Rev. Tony Bradley leadership, many upgrades and projects were implemented such as roof repair, purchase of new piano & organ; painting sanctuary, extend the air conditioning to front of the church etc.  Under Rev. T. Bradley’s leadership, the youth was strengthened and attended seminars and conventions on the local, state, and national levels.  During his leadership, Dorothy Moore and Vanessa Bradley Youth Drill team won 1st place during their state competition in 2005 & 2006.  In March 2008, Rev. T. Bradley announced his resignation from St. John to a reassignment to New Mt. Olive Primitive Baptist Church in St. Petersburg, FL.

 

After months of seeking a leader, on June 16, 2008, the Lord sent St. John a God-fearing Pastor.  This call was extended to Rev. Ozell Kindle Jr., of Bartow, Florida.  Prior to this call, Pastor O. Kindle was an Associate Pastor at First Providence M. B. Church in Bartow, FL.   On July 27, 2008, Rev. O. Kindle was officially installed at St. John M.B. Church. Under Pastor Kindle’s divine leadership, membership and other auxiliaries have increased throughout the years.   In 2012, Pastor Kindle led the way to a completely remodeled Fellowship Hall.  This includes central air and heat, wood panel flooring, ceiling fans, new lavatory, new blinds, and wall to wall painting.  Rev. Kindle and the brotherhood upgraded the landscape and repainted the edifice inside and outside.  New music equipment (keyboard) and van were purchased to be a vessel for worship service.  In 2013, Pastor Kindle orchestrated the complete remodeling the inside of the church.  This included the reupholster of the pews, new carpeting, blinds, and updated sound system.  In addition to this, new tile and new water fountain were added to the vestibule. Pastor Kindle’s vision has generated a host of specialized programs and outreach ministries designed to enhance and enrich the spiritual and educational growth of our church and community. Pastor Kindle tenure ended in September 2019.

 

After a year of searching, the Lord called Frank O’Harroll Jr. of Winter Haven, FL as interim pastor of St. John M.B. Church in January 2022.  He was later installed on March 6, 2022. Pastor O’Harroll was a devoted spiritual leader/teacher who displayed empathy and compassion that was reflective of his commitment to Jesus Christ our Lord and savior. Since becoming the shepherd of St. John, Pastor O’Harroll has accomplished the following:

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• Facilitated the cleaning of baptismal pool

• Retiled vestibule and Renovation of the Annex building

• Purchase of kitchen appliances

• Worked with Music Department to purchase and upgrade new sound system and equipment

• Worked with members of the congregation to commission new baptismal paintings.

• Formed Events/Outreach and Culinary committees

• Worked with members to establish local and district level fellowships with other churches

• Executed the largest Church Yard Sale fundraiser in the history of St. John, raising $5,000.

• Increased membership by 22 since hiring date of March 6, 2022

 

On March 28th, 2026, Pastor Frank announced his resignation at St. John and is moving on to a new chapter in his ministry. The St. John family is grateful for Pastor O’Harroll’s 4 years of service and wish him many blessings in his new assignment.

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