6461 SW 59 PL EB-87-061-004 Page 4—ST, JOHN CHURCH NEWS
ST. JOHN CHURCH NEVIS-Page 9
Standifer was assigned to St. Johns AME Church to
take the reins of leadership. Rev. Standifer accepted ` '
9 this great c allen e, walked �.
out a faith, not know- ' z-
ing where he was going, nor what task awaited him,
but he knew that where-ever,
r.
Stoll er, Gad would take care of
ZJ0, s H .-.
v
him.
Many long and tedious hours of work and prayer _
were spent in an effort to move into a new era at St.
Johns, Today we enjoy-the fruits of his labor. His
concern for all people, His kind, caring and dynamic To the Pastor Reverend C.E. Standifer, Officers The origins of my christian-life began at the age of There is an old saying that states, "You can take
spiritual leadership has constantly won souls for and members of the St, Johns AME Church. five while attending St.,John A.M.E. church in the church out of the country; but you can't take the
Christ. Since he came to St. Johns, we have had Congratulations and Salutations on this great oc- South Miami, Florida. During my adolescence when members out of the church o
So JOHN'S HISTORY pastor. The Rev: G.A. Curry was the Presiding man people added to the h casion of our Groun -breakin Ceremony. majority g
The realization of the eternal existence and per- Bishop and the Rev. R.B. Brookins, Presiding Elder Y p p e church, additions include Y g g Y• the a'orit of my peers were becoming involved Being a member of St, Jahn.A.M.E. Church far
sistence of God's Word, is a gripping experience. at the time the shut w seventy-seven (77) converts, twelve (12) to renew This indeed is a step forward,not only for you and with drugs and other delinquent activities, my desire more than 25 years,brings a lot of glorious memories
was to become more knowledgeable of the words and and gracious feelings.To me the sentiments that goes
c as organized, their membership, nine (9) to join under watchcare, your fine congregation but for the Community at along with those years in St.'Jahn was a blessing
What ever man.may do to himself, or to this world Through the years, the Founders have kept a wet- teachings of the.Bible. As a result of the teachings f our Historic
thirty-egith (38) to come from other denominations, large. full support learned in Sunda Schaal and ether within a blessing. This is not the end o o
which Gad has given.him, within the debris , t any St. eye on the calibre of ministers who pastored at two (2) received with certificates. I want you to know that-you have our pp and principles I lean Y nt it's a new beginning of another blessing,
' holocaust growing out of man's wickedness, there St, John, South Miami. ang the illustrious
Monument, g g
will always be found, some messenger of God, ready clergymen who have astored here are Reverends He has baptized twenty-seven (27) infants, thirty- in your :;ndeavors. church activities, along with the constant encourage
to declare: "Thus saith the Lord." I� W, G e erends two(32)youths,and thirty(30)adults.A total of two Remenmoet --his, "Heights of great men were not ment from parents, and other special people, I was and being apart of our ground breaking presentation
ary, R.J..J, Jones, J,H. Struffins, J.J.
• hundred-nine (209) people have been added to the attained o°b s,_.«:.cn flight but they while their comps- motivated to begin.an intensive lifelong search to is an honor'and a blessing.
_ Johnson, Paul Lee," L.O. Kennedy, Richardson, _ _ g p discover the many fascinating and rewarding aspects Now I would like to express my appreciation and
T FOUNDERS Cowins, G. Goodman, H.W. Holton, Henry Mcneil church under his leadership, neon ..: t ,Fete toiling upward through the Hite. thanks to God,our pastor Rev. Standifer and all the
of the Bible. Although, y Journey through thous members`of St. John A.M.E. Church.
Sixty nine years ago. long before South Miami was_ Harris, J.H.Garman,William Everett F.N. Duncan, We pray that the Almighty Gad will continuously Rev. ono Mrs. Standifer have been ardent works� teachings and learned' lessons was often name
born, known then as Larkins, a handful of men and J.D. Dukes, A.B. Collins, J.E. Cabell, and J.A
bestow blessings upon him and his family. not only in the Church work but in the Community g fours truly,
women, thought it wise and advantageous to serve Grisby. The personage was built y the Rev. J:D, History being a record of past events,are recorded as well. He has not failed in any effort the Church and very laborious,there was always one fact that re-
for the purpose of review,for knowledge, for interest has asked him to do. wined constant: "There does exist a superior being Sis sooty Bellinger
off
God,
and started
Mrrs.. Marshall Williamson,lis ionhwha s Cures. In November,Leroy the Rev: W.A. Curry, and for enjoyment.These are the purposes for which My prayers are with them and I am eternal) great-Curry, 1974 Rev. Leroy Holmes, Rev. Theodore - Y g to mankind... God.
now South West 60th Avenue. The"fellowship and Roddy 1975. Past presiding elders the the history of our beloved church is presented, as we ful to them and the fine membership for their I was converted at the age of eight, under the
p g , Reverends
the togetherness of God's people, have always G.J. Oates, J.J. Williams Rev. celebrate the ground breaking ceremonies in prepare- outstanding cooperation and support: leadership of Rev. W.A. Curry. I have rendered y F joined St,, Jahn Church under the Ieadeapar of
Gaffey, F.A. Allen. tion to construct a new St. Johns AME Church plant. May Gad ever bless and keep you is our prayer• services in numerous departments in the church. I Re. Campbell,in 1962. 1 am happy I became apart of
wrought wonders in our midst. It did at Pentecost. It J.A. Roberts; S.D. Saliman, T.E. Wright and C.
was done again in 1915 in South Miami, Florida. Hunt. Presiding Elder Rev, J.B. BIackn The members of St. John have long planned and Rev. Mrs. J.B. lacknell served on the junior usher boards and choir for St. John's family. -Since that time I have seen our
ell. Past worked toward the a when there will stand P.E. of the Miami District of the several years, an reat things have happened in
Bishops: The Right Reverend Henry Tooke;, John Y
Many g church grow. Now I am happy that we are now
THE ORGANIZERS Gregg, The Rt, Rev: Carey A. Gibbs, D somewhere in these surroundings, a church that will South Florida Conference my life as a result of my.being a part of the St. Jahn breaking ground for a bigger church which we so
` Out of this meager beginning grew the founding of Nichols Sherman Green. W.F. B d not only be loftly and beautiful, but so designed and A.M.E. Church family. In 1981, I was appointed badly need. I am a faithful member, I have served on
aII, G.N.G,I�t, Collins G, Youth Director by Rev. C.E. Standifer, and in 1983, the usher board for many years. I a presently a
the Saint John African Methodist Episcopal Church, Dewey Robinson, Hubert N. Robinson S.S. Morris,
constructed to properly and conveniently facilitate Trustee of the St. John A.M.E. number two choir and pastor's aide
the practices of African Methodist in South Miami SUN A SC O I was appointed a member of the p
_ The absence of a sanctuary was no hindrance. God and present Presiding'Bishop, the Right Rev. Phillip
was with them. On the second Sunday in June, 1916, R. Cousin. and we to look back and refer to our Ground Break- Greeting in the Name of the Lord! God has
Church. board®
. It is an honor to witness and be apart of the ground s. Lola Douglas
the church was formally organized, by the first The heritage of St. John is rich. A legacy of trig as past history, wonderfully blessed the work of the St.John A.M.E. ceremonies of a new sanctuary. Like our
pastor, Rev. F.W.Kinslow, and took the name of St. greatness is ours to enjoy. God has indeed placed He has baptized 27 infants, 32 children, 32 youths, Family. We are getting ready to bread ground for a breaking
30 adults. A total of 209 people have been added to new church; one we have needed for a long time.Our pastor,)too have a die that this sanctuary will be
John AME Church,' before us an open door and showered us with leader- an asset to our congregation and members of our
the church under his leadership. We pray that the hearts have been uplifted and our spirits renewed as I joined St. John Church in the year of 1962 under
. Mr. Marshall Williamson; the fist pioneer rest-_ ship.But true to His word,He has called some of is almighty y community, •
dent of South Miami,and his wife Eleanor, gave the servants home from labor to reward. Bro,' D.C. g y God will continuous) bestow blessings we-look back on all that has happened. Since we Yours In Christ the leadership of Rev, Campbell. I really enjoyed
land at 6461 Southwest 59th place for the purpose of Gilchrist, who served as superintendent of this Sun®
upon him and his family. started this task. Certainly all things are possible if s. any S. Jamison _ myself with the St. John family and to be apart of the
erecting santuar where the resent edifice now day school for fort
History being a record of past events, are recorded Director family. I really love y church very much and I am
g Y P Y y years.Bro Marshall Williamson we only trust Him. p Division, that the fame) of St. John church
stands. From this church was the birth of all the who served as Secretary, Treasury, Chairman of the far the purpose af.revee se for knowledge, for interest We trust the task will soon be completed. Then we Young people ivision very proud to see t Y
g
other black churches in the...community. The hut- Steward Board and Trustee-Board: Sis, Grant who
and far enjoyment.These are the purposes for which can be abut our Father's business. The Church is growing... Also, it's good to know that we are in
ricanc of 1926 destroyed the first church and the served as secretary of the church until 1955, Sis,
the history of our beloved church is presented, as we School holds classes in one area,which is not conduc- the process of building a new church.
_ served the round breaking ceremonies in re era-
following year, a new structure was erected, which Mary Lou Pittman, Sis. Cora Anderson, Sis. Ethel g g P p tive to learning. There are many distractions and the Ms. Rena Butler
was a little white frame building (the little white Shipp; and Bro. Hadley Bellone, Bro, Gus tion to construct a New ST. JOHN A.M.E. church
students are not Listening effectively,.Some classes
church as many recall), housing app-,oximately one Donaldson, Bro. Wilford Thompson, Bro: Dan Fer- Plant. The members of St. John has long planned are louder than others. Some can't hear for the air It would be one of the happiest day of my life to
hundred members... The present building is the third fuson, Bro. George Baines, Sis. Rosa King, Em- and worked toward the day when there will stand conditioners. Noise we are looking forward to dif- see a new St. John being built and continue to grow,
structure of St. John. menus)Fryer,and man more Steward g> somewhere in these surroundings, a church that will ferent classrooms in our new educational building. I and have such good members as we have. We are
Y s and Trustees not oil It gives me great pleasure to greet you in the name
The original Trustees were J.Maxwell,L. Richard- have now gone home to rest. y be loftly and beautiful, but so designed and am eagerly waiting and I am sure all the students will working very hard to get the best and we are proud'to c .
constructed to properly and convinientl faciliiate g Y g fifer`'-workin_ day of Jesus, Great is he that is in you,than he that i in
p P Y Y be also, have a good leader as Rev, 5'tand g the world." I John 4:4 Our war fares must be in the
° :;n, Ahonza Aaron, lames Hunt, Charley William The first Sunday in April 1980, marked a Historic the practices of African Methodism in South Miami • help us build a new church. . .
son, Rosa Little, Mrs, Eleanor Williamson,-and Mr. day for St. Jots AME Church. Upon the Godly - One of our oldest teachers in the Sunday School is and night so very hard to e p ° owes of the Holy Spirit,
or it will be unveiling, It is
P
and we to look back and refer to our Ground Break- Sis Rase Jackson. Around 1954, she.began teaching With God's help we will make it. � � certain) creel to rejoice and celebrate in the house of.
Marshall Williamson with the Rev. F.J. T,Kinshaw as ' judgement of Bishop S.S. Merril, Jr., the Rev. C.E. - __
ing as past history,
the Beginners Class and is still faithfully serving in Bro. Robert oiler , Y_ J
Y _ t ' the Lord, May the Lard of peace, give you peace and
that capacity. We pay tribute to Her and pray she
peace with your fellowman.
i°°,. ;.. ... keep on feeling good.Sis Rosa Turner is another long Ivty prayers are that the Lord be with us ail. Amen.
time teacher of our Sunday School. She too is still
"If I had the address for Michael Jackson, who Sis Cgrala Rawson
f c t -
h Lx serving.
g. . v has spiritual feeder as Rev all of that money;I would surely write to Hi and
We are glad to have such p ,,
I
PL -.- �` G i Standifer to undertake the-task, We are all going to tell Him that I need a new chore}.I Love the little old church. I worked for years
do our best to see it thru,
Ail who would like to donate to our right here under many different pastors. I was on We are finally getting started toward a new church.
For all of you t -�='��.��, .�•- �, cause, please do, Thanks I am:
many different boards and a member of several clubs ``praise the Lord," I still love the old church,but just
r
Sis Florence gown in"the church. I was appointed president of the like anything else, there comes a time when it has to
;w
Superintendent stewardess board under the'"pastor Rev. Campbell. be replaced. Thats progress. Anything that belongs
i, 1PASTta►
( :��� � �,":, ,�� : f �-• I will be glad when the new church is built. I will be My mother was also a faithful worker of this chore}.
to the Lard, has to be the best, and that is his House,
I�
Ms. Gladys B. Gilliam, an active m happier when the new church is built. It would be a Mrs. Mary Lou Pittman. Sh devoted lots of time to which is my second home. I just love going there.
Y ember of the St,
John A.M.E. Church.f very special experience. St. John is the Biggest Little the church. I remember when she used to make the When the old church was first build in was the best
. ly, a member of the Steward
e walks the streets of Board and an adviser to h
i
� • the Youth Department, was Church in Town, Lave does make the difference at sacrament bread. She was also president of the in those days, and every one was probably thinking
South Miami recently `wined in holy m the way F a thinking now: e deserve the best; we
St.Jahn. e love St.Sohn AME Church,you shooed stewardess beard. She was lust a faithful worker:
Y J Y a ony to Rev. A.C.AC Turner, I could remember-so well selling pies and dinners won't worry about the cost, we are a family, we can
His hair as white as snow Pastor of the St. James A.M.E. Church, Fort Lauder- tOO` far our club. e were the Wide awake club. e rais- a for it with the help of the Lord. If two people can
Love God les pay P
�.� Visiting neighbors, two or these dale. efferson ed money for many different things. I've enjoyed buy a $60,
Ihalila J y home, I know the Saint John family
-y r but always on the go The lovely ceremony,which was performed by Bishop working with the people at St. John and I always did a church. And we will. With Gad an our
Age 8. g can pay for
He sits in on co ssion in tin Philip R. Cousin, was held in the beautiful setting of the whatever I could to help. w can we go wrong? We can't.
v g penthouse of the Everglades Hotel with the reception P side, ho g
," - �":
On behalf of the community Well, I ve been disappointed so many tees, I Just Sis. Annie M. Springs
following the ceremony.
= - He wont take any verbal beatings want to seethe new Church built. I don't want to see "
Ors d for absentees, Ms. Cynthia Gills was Maid of Hoor d Mr,
f l _ Ra r Turner was Best Man. "Cli `Tel our ream Co es True" the ground broke and nothing else. I don't have
He campaigns for candidates
Often your tasks will e rrtcrny, much money to give but I do what I can with my little
P g Out of town guest included Mr.Irven Brown and Mrs.
They search him out for support E And snore than you think you can do. click. We need more prayers and lave among one We are wavering
and unstable But when we're
Pp Edna M. Brawn, parents of the bride from Tallahassee, g
He must include His Hel mate C? tees the road will be rugged another. God's ALWAYS ABLE...
P sisters, ralyn to Rosier, e Lee Ardley, Bar-
f most inadequate The Lord o
( To help assemble the facts and reports. b L nd the hills insurmountable, too.., Sis Edna edd
x Henry,,and M a Lloyd of Tallahassee,and P
_" e knowthat God es able to heel us build our new °
Geraldine Whittaker of Miami. Brother But always remember, the hills ahead church, so we must pray-and keep the faith because
y
` On Sunday in the pulpit He stands Gilbert Brown
Are never as steep as the seem,
Bringing God's message to all that;veil hear and wife n also of Tallahassee. Other guests from p y God is on our side and he will direct our paths.
llx g g
Tallahassee included: Jefora Gilliam, And with Faith in your heart start upward _
Sis. Rosa L. Williams.
' Louise Bennett, I have a great desire to see ST® John go up. I wises
Rev. C.E. Standifer And climb 'til you reach your dream,
The Pastor of St. John, so dear. Rupert Bennett, Rickey Ardley, Candice Ardley, Re a ,
For nothing in life that is worthy they could build a nice Cathedral. It takes a lot of
dhey and cheIe Ardhey. r, Oswald Turner from Is ever too hard to achieve work and I wish that I could help. I' give y don�-
3 Pennsylvania.
tions when I can and I'll be joining them in the rally
The 250 guest attending the wedding also included If you have the courage to try it
. . And oil have the Faith to believe,.. in September..: I'II be swinging right along until the -
By Gladys and Stephanie Stephanie Gilliam, r. and Mrs. Michael Gilliam, y . work is done. It takes a good leader to build a church I will be glad to see this new church built..When I
Na Turner,Rev.and s.Standifer,presiding lder For Faith is a force that is greater R v. Standifer is doing his best, first came from Hollis I joined St. John A.M.E.
Reverend Standifer
and Mrs.H.J.Benson Rev.and .E.7 P g Than knowledge or power or skill tike that. I believe e g
arker,Rev. When you get a pastor who is willing to go down sw- Church under the leadership"of Rev: Dukes :I joined
And many defeats turn to triumph- the choir at that time and I m presently singing in the
- � � W.J. Jackson, Rev, d . John Mainer, Rev. and inging with you,you better grab him.It's hard work,:.
And
Mrs. Barnett, Rev. White, Rev. and If you trust in Gods wisdom and will... 're oin to et tired but you don't lose a dime. choir for the joy of my salvation. I was later ap-
e, Rev. W.S. Ford, Rev: and Mrs. W.W.Wells Far Faith is a mover of Mountains, you g g now and ni working days are over pointed to the`stewardess board by the Rev. J.B.
' There's nothing hat God cannot do, I 85 years old Y g Y
Attorney H.T. Smith, ssioner and Mrs. Leroy g but I give what. I can and don't worry about it Garmon.,where I' still a member of the stewardess
Gibson, a host of other close friends and relatives. So start out today with Faith in your heart board. If I live to see this new church,I will keep on
. e.beautiful t ' relatives. And "climb `til your dream comes true!" because that;"where my blessings come from.And a
to the couples future was given y - . lot of people don't realize that.You should just give praising the Lord for all of his goodness.
Charles And this certainly is a beginning of a Sis. Cleo McKinnon
.
Rev d . Turner reside in South dream. and don't worry about it. is. Ethel Mae. Pittman
_ _ Sis Rosa T er - S_