A Brief History

The congregation of St. John’s in Williams, Arizona, nestled below Bill Williams Mountain, gratefully acknowledges the Native Peoples on whose ancestral homelands we gather: the Hopitutskwa, Havasu Baaja (Havasupai), Hualapai, Hohokam, Diné, and Apache, as well as the diverse and vibrant Native communities who make their home here today.

St. John’s was first established as an Episcopal Church in 1912. At that time Williams was a wild-west town with logging as its main industry.  The congregation met in the Methodist Church, the Opera House and the Fray Marcos Hotel before building a structure near the current health center. Later a church was constructed at Slagel and Sheridan, which was also outgrown.  

St Johns Ground Breaking 1952

In 1952, the current St. John’s, located on Second and Grant streets, was being built at the time the Episcopal church in Jerome, AZ was being disassembled. The stained glass windows, altar, pews, light fixtures, baptismal font and hardwood flooring from Jerome’s church were donated to St. John’s. 

HIstoric altar during Holy Week                                                                                                           

In 1962, Walker Hall was added to the building. In 1980, St. John’s Episcopal Church joined with the local Lutheran congregation to become one church family. As one of the first churches in the nation to have a dual heritage, St. John’s received national attention. Our motto is “Two in Heritage, One in Christ.”

In 1989, St. John’s began the process of becoming a Total Ministry church. Another new concept, this placed St. John’s in the spotlight once again. Total Ministry means that all members share in the ministry, business and work of the church. Most members are not paid for their services, contributing their time and talents.

Detailed Historical Timeline of St. John’s

For a detailed timeline of the events, more photos, and leaders in the church’s history, click here on the St. John’s Historic Timeline.