"Rock Church" Adding New Stones

The completion of a $2.5 million new nave for St. John’s Episcopal Church, Johnson City, will be commemorated with a celebration and dedication on Saturday, November 10, 2001, at 10:30 a.m. The Bishop vonRosenberg will preside over the historic occasion, assisted by the Rev. Frank M. Cooper, IV, Rector of St. John’s, and the Rev. Chris L. Epperson, Assistant to the Rector. Other bishops and clergy will be present as well as representatives from other local and regional churches.

Fondly referred to as the “rock church” locally, the realization of this major expansion project will increase the size of the church significantly to accommodate growth and mission. River Rock, from the same quarry used in the original structure built in 1905, is used in the new building’s exterior and interior. The original cornerstone was laid 1905, in a service conducted by the Rt. Rev. Thomas F. Gailor, third Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee, and the Rev. R.P. McAlpin, the first minister and priest-in-charge of St. John’s. The church has undergone two prior expansion and/or renovation projects in the 1930s and in 1981.

The former sanctuary, with 130 seats, will be used as a chapel. The new nave, with capacity for more than 400 seats, will accommodate the growing needs of the parish. This new construction represents the first phase of the “Cornerstone For Our Future” capital campaign that will ultimately lead to the construction of educational and community service facilities below the new nave. Other phases of construction will restore the original interior design of the church, altered during the 1981 expansion.

As one of the city’s oldest churches, St. John’s has perhaps one of the youngest congregations, with most members under 30 years old. Currently, St. John's has 250-300 families in regular attendance. The rector was quoted in a recent newspaper article as saying, “Just as when you have a second child, or a sixth child, as your family grows, your home must also grow. That’s where we’re at right now at St. John’s. We must grow size in order to grow ministry and mission. The new facilities will provide this congregation with a cornerstone for continued growth in worship, service and care for all people.”

The church’s exterior is a combination of rock and English Tudor style architecture, a style that has been maintained with the new construction. A much-loved maple tree that was lost to the expansion has been given a life with its wood crafted into the new altar and pulpit. The stump of the same maple tree has been crafted into a large baptismal font. The church is the recipient of a gift, which provided for the purchase and installation of a 27 rank, 3 console, 1864 Moller organ. The nave is surrounded by forty-two accoustal panels, which are stenciled with crosses representing Christian traditions around the world.

The architectural firm of Williamson Pounders, Memphis, Tennessee, designed St. John’s new addition. Williamson Pounders is internationally recognized for its ability to design new buildings that express continuity with historic qualities already present. Powell Building Group of Johnson City executed the design.

St. John's Website: pages.prodigy.net/watson