Church History

St. John’s Baptist Church History

In the year 1878, a hundred and thirty-nine years ago, a determined group of Black

men and women gathered in unity and deemed the necessity to assemble in a

common place to give thanks, praise and worship to our Lord and Savior.

St. John’s Baptist Church was organized as a mission and recognized in 1878.

Services were held in an old blacksmith’s shop located at the corner of Wahsatch and

Cimarron Streets. In 1887, ten years later, St. John’s was then incorporated, and a

seal was procured.

The church and a parsonage were erected at 227 Pueblo Avenue with rocks brought

on the back of wagons and by hand to set the foundation. So determined were they

that under the direction of Reverend Clifford Gladden, the dream through hard work

and faith in God, became a living reality. The construction lasted through the year of

1907. A coal stove and then modern gaslights were symbols of success.

As people moved west, the church membership increased and so did segregation. St.

John’s Baptist Church became the home of Black worshippers. In an effort to bury their

dead, members t purchased thirty-five lots in the Evergreen cemetery.

Seven pastors later, a tragedy came upon them when one Sunday night in August

1952, at the close of service the church was partially destroyed by fire. Services were

temporarily held in the Colorado Community Center. Eleven more pastors accepted the

calling to lead the flock of St. John’s Baptist Church; with lengths of pastoral service

ranging from three weeks to forty- seven years. St. John’s remained at the Pueblo

Avenue location until moving to its present location.

Reverend Milton E. Proby became the pastor of St. John’s Baptist Church in 1958.

Within the next two years, after a careful study for a new location, this property at

Prospect and Fountain was purchased. In September 1969, the doors opened for

services at 902 South Prospect Street and since that time, many people and ministries

have passed through this church.

Since then, St. John’s Baptist Church has been active with the Colorado Baptist

Southern District Association, the Western States Baptist Convention, and National

Baptist Convention USA Incorporated. Also, under the leadership of Pastor Proby, the

food ministry was established in 2000 with an addition to the building.

On May 21, 2005, the Lord called our beloved Pastor, Reverend M. E. Proby home

after serving here for forty-seven years. During the years since his passing, the Lord

continues to bless us in many ways. In October 2014, the congregation led under the

pastoral leadership of Reverend Calvin Johnson burned the Mortgage on the building

at 902 South Prospect Street.

As the members of St. John’s continue to “faith” forward in steadfast prayer, we are

forever grateful and thankful that the LORD has kept St. John’s Baptist Church for 139

years in His service. We welcome our new pastor, Reverend Arthur Landfair, Jr. and

his family as we move forward into a new chaptered do so with an expected hope that

God if faithful and will keep us in His perfect peace as we build new relationships and

grow together united in Christ Jesus. We also note another first for St. John’s as two

women ministers actively serve under the leadership of our new pastor. They are both

daughters in this ministry and have established roots at St. John’s as well as the

community.

St. John’s Baptist Church

Vision Statement

“Moving forward in Christ Jesus through

Deliverance, Prayer, Faith, Love and Hope.”

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Mission Statement

“To raise up a generation of true believers

who have a committed Pray life,

who are walking in love, victory, power?

and the anointing of the Holy Spirit,

believers who are experiencing a deep intimacy

with God and impacting the lives with those

they come in contact with.”