THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CELEBRATES ITS 118TH ANNIVERSARY
The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist celebrated its 118th Anniversary on Sunday, June 29, 2014. The day was filled with honoring the choir ministry and the music of church service. The reason for this celebration began 118 years ago, April 18, 1896 in a four room house on the corner of Terry Street and Pine Street in Orlando. From that day forward, The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist has had a rich history of a blend of not only Anglican and contemporary family-friendly worship services, but also a rich history of Christian community outreach.
The first parochial school for people of color here in Orlando was St. John Episcopal Academy that eventually became the building that housed the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist and its Rectory. It was at this location on Terry and Pine Street that the first tennis courts and the Booker T. Washington Branch library were created for people of color. With these bold community missions for that time in history, St. John the Baptist Church was destined for even greater community ministries as after moving to our present location, members fought for and obtained the first HeadStart School in Washington Shores and continued with library services for children.
Our present-day outreach programs range from support of the Honduras Mission in conjunction with the Diocese, to our weekly donations of food for persons in need in the surrounding community; our outreach to children and adolescents through the King’s Kids Bible Study program; our annual school supply drive to ensure every child has books to read through Daughters of the King’s partnership with our neighborhood school; our satellite Episcopal Counseling Center; most recently our Hospitality Institute job training and hiring program; and other outreach ministries.
June 29, 2014 was, indeed, a day of grand celebration that began with the 10 a.m. Eucharistic Service. At this service, all former and present choir members participated in a “Rededication and Blessing” ceremony. The remaining service liturgy centered on our love for the Lord expressed fervently through the Readings, Sermon, Prayers of the People, and through the singing of the church choir. The morning service culminated with choir members being presented with a necklace, emblematic of a singing bird on a cross, to be worn throughout their ministry.
The celebration continued with an afternoon of “Rejoicing in Song,” as nine churches joined the choir of St. John the Baptist in celebrating with songs and praise dancers in “A Service of Praise & Thanksgiving.” The service began with St. John the Baptist Chancel Choir, directed by Mr. Ernest Boyd, providing a spirited rendition of “Every Praise” as they and church leaders processed into the Sanctuary. Afterwards, Mr. Morris Hudson of St. Richard’s Episcopal Church, accompanied by Dr. Carl MaultsBy on piano, provided the audience with a moving spiritual solo selection followed by The Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church Praise Team, Music Director Bonnie Williams; Mt. Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church Men’s Choir, Music Director, Ms. Paschal Weaver; and Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Young Adult Choir, Music Director Chris Smith. A special feature of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church musical tribute was also a soul-stirring, dynamic solo by thirteen-year-old Khamyrn Hammonds singing, “Break Every Chain.” Her performance received a standing ovation.
After acknowledging the work of the 118th Anniversary Committee and everyone who made contributions to this celebration, Dr. Lorraine Harris presented a special award to Mr. Ernest Boyd and Mrs. Shirley Bradley for devoting over 50 years to the music ministry of St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church and honored Dr.Carl MaultsBy for his invaluable contributions to religious music composition and choir direction.
“Rejoicing in Song” service continued with selected Episcopal hymn favorites from St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Chancel Choir (Haines City, Florida), Mr. Merrill Davis, Choir Master; and a rousing a cappella solo from Melvin Robinson, True Vine Baptist Church Men’s Choir. The audience was provided a special treat by the performance of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church “Jewels of Judah” Liturgical Praise Dancers. This talented youth group wowed those in attendance with their spiritually-emotive interpretative dance. Washington shores Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir, Ms. Cicely Youngblood, Director provided a musical sermon with their selection of worshipping God each day of the week and The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist concluded the singing and rejoicing with the selection, “Let the Church Say Amen.”
Father Jabriel Ballentine closed out this joyous occasion with inspirational words of celebration in church and through outreach, and with Benediction.
We enjoyed sharing our history and celebrating our 118th Anniversary with our brothers and sisters of all church denominations bonded by the love of God. We experienced a cornucopia of voices and interpretive dance performance – all giving praises to the Lord. The Psalmist declared, “I will sing of the love of the Lord forever; with my mouth will I make your faithfulness known through all generations.” (Psalms 89:1).
Submitted by Faye O. Henderson and Dr. Lorraine Harris
