About Our Church

At St. John's we gather each week as a family to praise God in prayer and in music. We worship in the Episcopal tradition as we come to hear God's Word and to partake in Christ's Holy Communion. Young and old alike are encouraged to participate fully in the service, to celebrate God's presence and God's gifts.

History

As one of the first four churches in Maple Shade, St John's history is interwoven with the history of the town.

On April 13th, 1888, several communicants of Grace Church, Merchantville, who were residents of Maple Shade, consulted with the rector of Grace Church with the hope to hold services in Maple Shade. As a result the first service was held on April 22, 1888, in a parishoner's home on Main Street. From then on services were held regularly on Sunday afternoons and in that year the name "St John's" was adopted.

In July of 1889 the congregation leased a piece of land (offered for a dollar by Mr & Mrs. Charles E Zane) for the term of ten years. At that time the original frame chapel was built and dedicated on July 15th, 1890.

However, during the night of June 21, 1895, the chapel and its contents were destroyed by fire. By the end of the following July, the Mecray family donated the property where our current brick church was built. The cornerstone of the current building was laid on December 12, 1895 and on September 27th, 1896 the church was formally opened and dedicated by the Bishop.