St John's Episcopal Church of Detroit

About

Glorifying God through traditional Anglican worship; knowing Jesus through Scripture and Sacrament; sharing His love with neighbors

Story

St. John’s Episcopal Church was organized in December of 1858. Our earliest members embodied the ingenuity and toughness of 19th century Detroit—business owners, merchants, craftsmen, soldiers, lumberjacks and farmers. Our diverse membership was woven into the fabric of the emerging city, and necessarily committed to the flourishing of Detroit.

Our chapel was completed in 1859 and church building was completed in December of 1861.

St. John's has seen our neighborhood change from farms and orchards to residential, to commercial, and then derelict. The tide began to turn with the renovation of the Fox Theatre, across the street from the Church. The Tigers new ballpark, Comerica Park, opened next door in 2000, and the Lions' Ford Field opened two blocks away in 2003. New housing also began to be built, but the recession in 2008, and subsequent City of Detroit bankruptcy in 2013, delayed or scuttled many projects.

In 2014 development began again in earnest with the announcement of the ambitious District Detroit plan to spend $650 million to re-develop 50 square blocks of the neighborhood around St. John's. This project includes retail, residential, and the new Detroit Red Wings hockey arena opening in 2017.

Through all the chances and changes of the neighborhood and metro Detroit, what has not changed has been the Faith in Jesus Christ for which our founders erected our glorious edifice. Attracting members from all of Metro Detroit, we are excited to be a part of the rebuilding of the neighborhood. In cooperation with our neighbors, we do Our Lord's work in the comprehensive social, cultural and spiritual renewal of Detroit.

Mission

To know Christ, and to make Him known