Church History

In the foothills of the majestic Smokey Mountains, what would eventually become the St. John Missionary Baptist

Church was initiated in 1916 by a group of pioneering worshipers who held prayer services and meetings in various homes. These initial gatherings evolved into organizational meetings, which were held in a tent on the property of Sis. Mary Rorex. In May of 1917, the church, under the leadership of its first Pastor, Rev. J. W. Wilson, adopted the name First Colored Baptist Church of Maryville, and began worship in the same community in which the church still stands.

A building program commenced in 1918, with the pastor and various members using their carpentry skills to build the church themselves. It was a collaborative effort as some provided food while others provided the labor. The edifice was built completely out of wood and heated with a coal heater, with water being drawn from nearby wells.

Rev. Wilson, who had no formal education, was a wonderful minister who was known for his ability to read and teach the scriptures. Under his leadership, the church was established, erected and expanded. He served as pastor of the church until 1921.

The years that followed the departure of Pastor Wilson saw men, sent by God, to lead the congregation to greater and higher heights. Former Pastors include: Reverends Hargraves, Brown, L. W. Jackson, J. L. Coffee, H. McClain, O. Tucker, D. L. Gaines, H. R. Burge, and R. R. Earl. These pastors oversaw the spiritual, physical and financial growth of the church and paved the way for even greater works to be done.

Upon Dr. Earl’s departure in May of 1980, the church was split and Mother Love Baptist Church was established in neighboring Louisville, Tennessee. The parent body remained in its present location and formed a pulpit search committee to select the new pastor.

The Lord led the congregation to select Elder Joe L. Colquitt as its next pastor. Under Elder Colquitt’s leadership, the ground breaking for a new church building began on August 4, 1991. On April 26, 1992, dedication services were held in the new sanctuary. Under Elder Colquitt, new vans were purchased, property was acquired and the church continued to grow spiritually. On March 6, 2011, Elder Colquitt offered his resignation to the church and retirement services were held on June 5, 2011.

Once again, a pulpit search committee was formed and on February 25, 2012, the church called Charles F. Lomax Jr. as its next pastor. Pastor Lomax preached his first sermon on March 11, 2012, and was officially installed as the 12th Pastor of the St. John Missionary Baptist Church on May 27, 2012. Under Pastor Lomax, St. John has experienced significant growth and a new vitality has been ignited.

We are anxious and excited to see what all God has in store for us!

​

Our Beliefs

Aim - Making An IMPACT

Mission - To Exalt the Savior, Evangelize the Sinner, Equip the Saint and Elevate Society.

Exalt the Savior – In all things God is to be glorified! Our primary objective is the worship, reverence and exaltation of the One greater that we. Psalm 150 declares that everything that has breath is to give God praise, and we seek to satisfy at every opportunity. Christ confessed that if he were to be lifted, that all men and women would be drawn unto him; therefore, we exalt.

Evangelize the Sinner – We believe that even the greatest sinner on Earth is capable of obtaining salvation if they come to believe in their heart and confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord. Matthew 28:19 commissions us to embark in reaching those who have not yet come to know Jesus and the free pardon of their sins; therefore, we evangelize.

Equip the Saint – As Christians, we are to grow in knowledge and in grace. We take seriously the equipping and educating of those who have come to know Christ and are seeking a deeper relationship. This church assumes the responsibility of equipping through teaching, preaching and fellowship. 2 Timothy 2:15 instructs us to study that we may show ourselves approved; therefore, we equip.

Elevate Society – To develop the church and ignore the surrounding community is a dangerous disservice that will ultimately prove to be detrimental. We must be willing to work beyond the four walls of the church in order that the church might fulfill its mission. Our churches will only be as strong as the communities in which they are situated; therefore, we elevate.

Our Vision
Impacting the world through the production of disciples by demonstrating what it means to be God Grounded, Christ Centered, Bible Based and Mission Minded.

Our Motto
We’re a worshiping, witnessing and welcoming congregation dedicated to glorifying our God and serving our Savior!

Core Values
Worship
“O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.”

– Psalm 95:6

Evangelism

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

– Matthew 28:19-20

Prayer
“Pray without ceasing.”

– 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Education
“For wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.”

– Ecclesiastes 7:12

Hospitality
“Use hospitality one to another without grudging.”

– 1 Peter 4:9

Community
“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

– Matthew 22:39

​

​

​