OUR HISTORY

The Episcopal Church of Saint John the Baptist, from a humble beginning, enjoys a rich and illustrious history. We are proud to be one of the oldest congregations in the Diocese of Central Florida, established just three years after Bishop Gray began his fervent mission of proclaiming the word of God across the Missionary Jurisdiction of Southern Florida.

1896 – On April 18, 1896, The Episcopal Church of St. John the Bapitst, Orlando, Florida, was established in a four room frame house, at the northeast corner of Terry and Pine Streets in downtown Orlando. The Rev. H.W. Greetham, a perpetual Deacon, was the first spiritual leader.

Early 1900’s – A parochial school was established and built on adjoining church property. Teachers for the school were provided by St. Augustine’s College in Raleigh, NC. Soon after the establishment of the school, a small cathedral-style church building was purchased and placed on church property, serving as St. John the Baptist’s first official “church home.” A tennis court (serving as the first for the Black community), public library and rectory soon followed.

Early 1900’s through 1955 - The priests who served St. John the Baptist from its inception until 1955 were: The Rev. G.M. Blackett, The Ven. John E. Culmer, The Rev. Morris Bartlett Cochran, The Rev. Lambert Sands, The Rev. Granville Peaks, and The Rev. Charles N. McQueen. The priests usually served two times a month and often did not reside in the city.

1955 – The Rev. John F. Dickman was called to serve as the first full-time Vicar of St. John the Baptist. His tenure was the beginning of substantial growth within the membership. Father Dickman would go on serve St. John the Baptist for four years.

1959 – The Rev. Nelson W. Pinder, a recent graduate of Nashotah House Seminary, was called to serve as Vicar on May 30, 1959.

1960 – Father Pinder was ordained to the priesthood at St. John the Baptist by The Rt. Rev. Henry Louttit on January 9, 1960. During the 1960’s, Father Pinder would become known as “the Street Priest,” organizing and participating in sit-ins and protests, which helped to advance civil rights in the city of Orlando.

1963 – The Diocese and Vestry acquired property at our present location in the Washington Shores neighborhood of Orlando, and a new sanctuary was built. The Parish Hall and Education Building was added in 1967.

1969 – Father Pinder was transferred to the Diocese to establish and serve as the Director of The Awareness Center. The Rev. Rupert Taylor was called to serve as the next Vicar.

1972 – Father Taylor resigned, and Father Pinder was re-assigned to St. John the Baptist by The Rt. Rev. William H. Folwell.

1985 – Due to the leadership of Father Pinder, Ernest Boyd, Senior Warden, and the Vestry, St. John the Baptist was established as a Parish, at that year’s Diocesan Convention. A Parish Status Celebration was held on June 23, 1985.

1990 – The church edifice built in 1963 was disassembled, and our present sanctuary was built. The Rt. Rev. John W. Howe presided over a joyous Service of Dedication and Consecration on September 8, 1990.

Dedication & Consecration of the 1990 Sanctuary

Fr. Nelson Pinder Retirement

1995 – After more than 30 years of service to St. John the Baptist, Father Pinder retired from the position of Rector. A Service of Thanksgiving and Ending of Pastoral Relationship was held on November 5, 1995.

1996 – The Rev. Richard Bowman, retired priest and former Rector of St. Michael’s, Orlando, was called to serve as Interim Priest. At the end of the year, upon the recommendation of the Rector Search Committee, the Vestry called The Rev. Raulston B. Nembhard to serve as the second Rector of St. John the Baptist.

1997 – On May 4, 1997, Father Nembhard was installed as Rector of St. John the Baptist by Bishop Howe.

1998 – The mortgage on our present sanctuary was fulfilled, and Bishop Howe presided over a “Burning of the Mortgage” Celebration. During Father Nembhard’s tenure, the Resurrection Memorial Garden was established, and a new roof was placed on the Parish Hall and Education Building.

2009 – Father Nembhard resigned as Rector of St. John the Baptist. A Service of Thanksgiving was held in his honor on December 27, 2009.

2010 – Father Pinder was called to serve as Interim Rector. Shortly after, our Heissler Tracker pipe organ was purchased and paid off in six months.

2011 – The Rev. Richard D. Meadows, Jr. was called to serve as the third Rector of St. John the Baptist. His tenure began on June 1st, as Deacon-in-Charge. Father Meadows was ordained to the priesthood and installed as Rector on December 31, 2011. During his tenure, our acolytes attended the National Acolyte Festival in Washington D.C. for the first time.

2013 – The Rev. Jabriel S. Ballentine was called to serve as Priest-in-Charge. His tenure began on September 1, 2013. In November of that year, the Vestry elected to call Father Ballentine as the fourth Rector of St. John the Baptist. The Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer presided over a Service of Installation on December 8, 2013. During Father Ballentine’s tenure we were given the privilege to host a week-long Hospitality Institute Job Training, partnering with Hilton Hotels.

120th Anniversary 50 Plus Honorees_edite

2016 – The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist celebrated its 120th Anniversary with a six month long celebration, extending from January to June. On April 16, 2016, at a formal celebratory luncheon, 30 parishioners were honored for serving as members of St. John the Baptist for 50 years or more. On the following day, Bishop Gregory O. Brewer presided over a joyous and well-attended Mass of Thanksgiving for 120 years of faithfulness. Father Ballentine resigned from the position of Rector of St. John the Baptist on the Feast Day of St. John the Baptist, Sunday, June 26, 2016.

2017 – The Rev. Robert Anderson was called to serve as Interim Rector. During our transition, he nurtured the congregation and kept us spiritually fed through inspiring, spirit-filled sermons. He and his wife, Rebecca, also provided joyful and meaningful teaching through workshops that strengthened our faith and fellowship.

2018 – The Rev. Charles T. Myers was called to serve as the fifth Rector of St. John the Baptist. Bishop Brewer presided over a service of installation on February 9, 2019. During his tenure, our parish navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which also opened the door for us to expand our food ministry and deepen our outreach to the community.

2025 - Father Myers accepted a position to serve as Associate Dean and Missioner for Outreach and Evangelism at Christ Church Cathedral in Louisville, KY. He celebrated his last Holy Eucharist with us on Sunday, November 2, 2025.