St. John’s originally began as a mission in 1876, and the church was built in 1882 on Saginaw Chippewa land. Mr. William Brown, often described as St. John’s “founding father,” functioned as both architect and builder. He designed and oversaw construction of the church in the vernacular Gothic Revival style.

St. John’s has a long-standing mission of outreach to underserved communities and a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. The historic church building, including its rectory and parish hall, is a place of safety and refuge for many groups in the community. St. John’s sponsors a free food pantry and free laundry and shower services. The church also provided social services through the historic Goodrow Fund that, from 1985 to 2020, disbursed $500 to $2,000 weekly to cover expenses associated with basic human needs: housing, utilities, medications, food, and transportation. Its spaces are open to, and used by, several community groups, including Recovery 360, Indivisible, PFLAG, Central Michigan University’s Pride Group, and Art Reach of Mid-Michigan.

A National Fund grant of $54,105 with $54,105 in matching funds raised by the congregation will support rehabilitation work including masonry and windows.

Photo by Timothy Hartshorne