The Genesis of Our St. Johns

            The history of Ocean Springs spans almost three centuries, but much of the record has been lost.  Likewise, the early history of Episcopalians of Oceans Springs has been lost, though it spans at least a century.  It is known that in June of 1865 an organization of Episcopalians was formed, and that Prayer Book services were held.

            The first formal action recorded was the organizational meeting of the Fortnightly Guild on June 19, 1891, at the home of Dr. Tebo.  The minutes show that Dr. Tebo was elected President; Mr. Guion, First Vice President; Mrs. Sheldon, Second Vice President; Mrs. F. V. Garrard, Secretary; and Mrs. Parker Earle, Treasurer.  The Rev. Mr. Nelson Ayers, a prospective minister, was made Honorary President.  It was decided, during this meeting, to accept the generous offer of the Baptist congregation, to temporarily use their building on DeSoto Avenue.

            The minutes of the meeting on June 26 reveal that a large lot at the corner of Porter and Rayburn had been donated by Mr. William B. Schmidt, a prominent New Orleans wholesale grocer who owned a summer home in Ocean Springs, and who was very interested in the growth of the town.

             Minutes of a special meeting of the Fortnightly Guild, on October 11, 1891, record that the meeting was called to consider and adopt plans for a church building.  The plans were of a High Victorian Gothic design, copied by Mr. Ayers, from illustrations of another church in the July 11th Churchman.  The original plans were of The Church of the Ascension in Rockville Centre, Long Island, built in 1888 and designed by New York architect Manly Cutter.  A building committee was appointed consisting of Mrs. Earle, Mrs. Garrard and Mrs. Stansbury with Dr. Tebo as chairman.  The minutes of a meeting on December 7, 1891, indicate that the church was actually under construction, and was then, officially, designated as St. Johns.

            In the following months, the guild was concerned with the task of raising funds to meet the growing debt, but by April members of the Guild were discussing the formal opening of the new church.  It was planned for April 24, 1892, although there is mention that an informal service had been held in the building two weeks before.  It is interesting to note that the Guild raised eleven hundred dollars and borrowed seven hundred more to complete construction.

             Three other facts are significant.

• The church building was constructed of native-leaf yellow pine and has withstood hurricanes and other erosions of time and weather.  Through the years, it has stood serene and strong, helping to carry on the work of our Lord.

• In the early eighteen-nineties the famous architect, Louis Sullivan, was a winter visitor in Ocean Springs, and it is said that his talent can be detected in the details of design.

• St. Johns is listed in the State Register held by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and is described on their commemoration plaque as the finest example of a High Victorian Gothic structure, built entirely of wood, in the state.