The founding of St. John’s Episcopal Church started with a group of six women who organized in April, 1898, as the Women’s Guild of St. John’s Mission. The first church services were held in a hall over the stores on Main Street. In 1903 the first Confirmation was held with three girls confirmed. The mission closed shortly after this and remained closed for nine years. In 1912 it was reorganized with twelve members and they met in the Universalist Church at the corner of Dodge and Union Streets. Later that same year, a small group organized as a Mission of the Diocese, and a three person Vestry was elected. In 1920, a building was proposed for the Mission and the first church was on Union Street, made possible by the gift of a piece of land.

In 1942, St. John’s obtained it’s first Rector, the Rev. Francis Tetu from Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1944, the Bishop and Diocesan Convention granted St. John’s Church Parish status. It was at this time that the young women of the Parish organized St. John’s League. In 1946, St. John’s League purchased the first electronic organ. It was moved to our present church where it was used until 1971 when the present pipe organ was installed. This group also purchased the first pews for the church in 1947.

In 1948, the Rev. Alexander Miller was called as Rector of St. John’s. Father Miller used his gift of good humor and his deep commitment to the parish and local community to build the church in program and worship.

In 1951, a call was issued to the Rev. David T. Davies of Trinity Church, Bay City and a house was rented on William Street. The Davies family moved in on November 15, 1951. Many significant changes took place while Canon Davies was Rector. A 9:30 Family Service was begun, in addition to 8:00 and 11:00. A junior choir was formed to sing at this Service. But the biggest change was the purchase of four acres of land on Sheldon Road from parishioners Robert and Maxine Willoughby. A new Rectory was built first with money from the sale of the Blunk Street Rectory and from the sale of trustee certificates. The rectory was built in 1952-53.

In 1955, a building campaign was begun to build a church on the Sheldon Road site. Ground was broken on September 6, 1959. An interesting feature of the design of our church is that the shape of the roof was designed to be symbolic of praying hands and the hull of a ship. The cross was placed outside the building so that it might be visible in the community seven days a week, rather than just on Sunday. The first service was held on the day of Pentecost, June 5, 1960.

Canon Davies retired as Rector in September 1969, when The Rev. Robert S. Shank, Jr., became Rector. Fr. Shank had served as assistant to Canon Davies three years prior to being selected.

Under Father Shank’s leadership, the parish continued to grow. In 1979-80, changes were made to accommodate the new growth, including six new classrooms, the enlargement of the kitchen, and resurfacing of the parking lot. As a part of this building program, St. John’s tithed $30,000 to the diocesan Venture-In-Mission program.

In the years between 1981 and 1995, St. John’s continued to grow in spirit and numbers. Spiritual growth activities became a focus for the members of the parish. Growth in the Church School during this time led to the need to add space.

The "Gather to Glorify" construction campaign began on May 9, 1993. The project included renovating the Nave and Narthex plus the addition of the Gathering and one new classroom. Flexible seating was added in the Nave. The former marble altar was transformed into a Baptismal Font with "living" water and placed in the Narthex. Father Shank presented the parish with an icon from the Holy Land which was installed behind the Font. The first service in the new Nave was held in November of 1993 and the renovation was completed in spring of 1994. As is our custom, St. John’s tithed $50,000 to outreach projects in thanksgiving for this project.

In 1994, Fr. Shank retired after 25 years of service. Father Shank’s retirement marked the end of the continuity of 43 years of shared leadership between Father Shank and Canon Davies. At this time, St. John’s entered an interim period to reflect and ponder our new direction as a community. The interim time was marked by continued growth in spirit and numbers.

In 1997, St. John’s embarked upon a new chapter in our common life together in calling the Rev. William B. Lupfer as our fifth Rector. Shortly thereafter, we added an additional service and adult education programs on Sunday mornings to accommodate the many new families in our parish.

In September 2001, the Rev. Dana Runestad joined our staff.  Pastor Dana is ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, putting us at the very front edge of the growing cooperation between the Episcopal and Lutheran Churches.

In October 2003, the Rev. William B. Lupfer accepted a call as Dean of Trinity Cathedral in Portland, Oregon.  As a result of his leadership, we are now a multiple staff parish where vestry and staff coordinate the many programs offered to and by our members.  A new emphasis upon spiritual maturity has marked our common life together, culminating in a parish vision. 

On September 12, 2004, as the result of several years of discussion and study done by the Rectory Use Task Force, vestry called a Parish Meeting. The 100-plus parish members present voted to give approval to sell and dispose of the rectory building, 580 S. Sheldon Rd., at auction.  Auction date was set for Dec 18, 2004 but we were unsuccessful in the sale.  The rectory remains St. John's property and a decision was made in 2006 that the Rectory will be renovated to offer space for the Youth Group
activities.

The Rev. Dorian McGlannan was called as our sixth resident rector and celebrated her first service with us on July 3, 2005 .