Three charred wooden crosses. They are not what you expect to find at the beautiful Saint John’s Episcopal Church. These crosses are a reminder of resilience and faith. Saint John’s began as a mission of Saint James Episcopal Church in 1922. By 1924, it was recognized by the Diocese of Los Angeles and officially named Saint John’s.
In 1949, Saint John’s achieved parish status. It became one of the 37 congregations within the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego in 1972. Saint John’s founded a mission in Bonita in 1954. That mission later became the Church of the Good Shepherd. Another mission followed in 1955 in Imperial Beach. It was named St. Mary’s by the Sea.
The first church building at Second Avenue and Madrona Street served the community for 33 years. A parish hall was added and the day school opened in 1950. Saint John’s acquired a new site in 1958. A new church was built there. It featured the first free-standing altar in the Diocese. Saint John’s Episcopal Day School expanded.
Tragedy struck in 1994. An arsonist set fire to the church building. It was completely destroyed. Under the leadership of The Rev. Michael Kaehr, a new church was built. A new complex of buildings was completed three years later. The new facilities were dedicated on March 9, 1997.
Today, the Saint John’s campus includes several buildings. There is the church and a parish hall. You will also find an administration building and four classrooms. A covered cloister, courtyard with fountain, and memorial garden enrich the space. The columbarium offers a place for remembrance.
The church’s design showcases master craftsmanship inside and out. Admire the stained-glass windows. The copper-sheathed steeples are visible throughout the neighborhood. The church boasts a digital organ with the equivalent of 135 pipe organ ranks. A Kawai 7-foot grand piano stands in the sanctuary.
The administrative office building honors The Rev. Gerald Graves. He served as rector from 1970 to 1987. The parish hall is named after The Rev. Richard Nale. He was rector from 1949 to 1964. Remember those charred wooden crosses. They hang in Nale Hall. They symbolize Christ’s enduring love.
Saint John’s Episcopal Day School closed in 2017 due to financial reasons. In 2018, the parish leased its school facilities to Episcopal Community Services. This became their main Head Start campus. Today, Head Start serves approximately 250 children here. Saint John’s stands as a testament to faith. It is committed to worship, education, fellowship, and community service.