Saint Johns Episcopal Church

In 1853, amidst the bustling streets of New York City, a new chapter began for Saint John’s Episcopal Church. It all started with the incorporation of St. Jude’s and a missionary congregation. They formed the Church of Saint John the Evangelist. Their first services were held in various locations, including the Bleecker Building and the Metropolitan Academy. A significant turning point came with the purchase of an existing church building. This former Baptist church, located on Hammond Street (later West 11th Street) and Factory Streets (later Waverly Place), became the new home of Saint John’s. The church was a memorial to the Rt. Rev. Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright. It was purchased for $30,000 by a dedicated group of women known as the “Ladies Society for Building a Free Church.” This act of generosity provided the congregation with a permanent place of worship. The first service at the newly acquired building was held on May 26, 1856. The church became known as the Bishop Wainwright Memorial Church of Saint John the Evangelist. Just a year later, in 1857, the church was free of debt. It was officially consecrated in 1858 by Bishop Horatio Potter. Tragedy struck on March 6, 1971, when a fire destroyed the original church building. From the ashes arose a new structure, designed by Edgar Tafel, a colleague of the renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. This modern building, completed in 1974, stands as a testament to the resilience of the community. It was dedicated in 1978 by Bishop Paul Moore, Jr. This modern Saint John’s Episcopal Church continues to serve its community, a beacon of faith and resilience in the heart of New York City.