HISTORY
A Short History of St. John's Episcopal Church in Moultrie, Georgia
Orginally compiled by Professor Ruth Knowles, updated March 24, 2007
by Evelyn Cope, Melody Mallard and Amanda Beaty.
Sometime in 1912, The Reverend R.G. Blecker, newly-appointed Vicar of St. Matthew's,
Fitzgerald, GA, began conducting services in Moultrie, GA. Bishop Reese made a Visitation
during which he baptized one person. In the following four years, The Rev. Blecker
baptized six more people.
In 1919, The Reverend R.G. Shannonhouse, who succeeded Mr. Blecker as "Missioner,"
began holding regular services in Moultrie on alternate Tuesday evenings.
The Holy Communion was celebrated "...on fifth Sundays."
For a year, services were held at the Presbyterian Church.
After that they were conducted at the residence of the Senior Warden, Mr. Ike Brinson.
In the spring of 1919, Mr. Shannonhouse was "encouraged to undertake the building of a church"
in Moultrie. The ladies purchased a lot. Members of the Mission pledged $1200 toward
the building fund, and the Diocesan Convention pledged $1800.
Citizens of Moultrie from other churches gave more than $1,000,
and a total of $6400 was raised from other sources.
Ground was broken for the new church on December 5, 1922.
Present were The Right Reverend F.F. Reese, Bishop of Georgia;
The Venerable J.B. Lawrence, Archdeacon; The Rev. R.G. Shannonhouse;
Mr. R.R. Turnbull, Senior Warden; Mrs. Pat Horkan, and many others.
Construction actually began in January, 1923. The church is built of brick and tile,
finished with stucco and cement trim. The nave seats 150 worshippers.
On May 24, 1946, St. John's became an organized mission.
The first Vicar was Fr. John Saxon-Wolfe. Parish status was achieved May 20, 1958.
Fr. Kenneth Gearhart became the first Rector. Meanwhile, the Parish Hall had been built,
and two lots to the north of the church were also acquired.
The current Rector, the Rev. William N. McQueen, III, came to St. John's in October 2009,
with his wife, Robyn Ford, and two children William IV, and Sarah Kathryn from All Saints',
Thomasville, GA, where he served as Curate for two years.
