About Us

On Sunday, January 19th, 1947, a small group met at the home of Deacon and Sister Albert Johnson at 442 Boswell, Kansas City, Kansas for the purpose of organizing a church. After a spirit filled devotional service, the meeting was declared open for business. The church was organized by Rev. Preston Allen, Moderator of the Union District Association. Rev. Smith, the First Vice President of the Union District gave the church the name, “St. John Missionary Baptist Church”. The church was immediately organized and called Rev. A.J. Jordan to be the first pastor in 1947. Our church was first started in the home of Deacon Herbert and Mother Florence Johnson at 440 Boswell. It was Sister Eather Mae Scaife that found a vacant store front at the location of 2620 North 5th Street. After finding out the building was available for sale, Deacon Herbert Johnson mortgaged his own home for the building. We had services in the basement of the church. These were wonderful services downstairs until our church was built with Deacon Alonzo Candler as contractor in September, 1950 as it is now. Rev. Jordan saw the need for a Missionary Society and named Sis. Florence Johnson as president. The instituting of this Missionary Society was the foundation of what mission at St. John in our present time. The idea that St. John did not have a choir was brought to the attention of Bro. Johnnie Harrell, who moved to town to teach music for the “Singing Convention”. The organization of the choir, with approval of Rev. Jordan brought many nights of singing to the north end of 5th street. People from all around the community knew that singing was going on at St. John. The first choir directress was Sis. Ella Pearl Redic and Bro. Henry Campbell for the male chorus.