6461 SW 59 PL EB-87-061-005 Page S--ST. JOHN CHURCH NEWS
ST. JOHN CHURCH NEWS-Page 5
'To S 0 0:1ohns
Life without purpose is barren indeed i would like to have a church bigger than the old Dream the impossible dream.Marshall Williamson
There can't be a harvest unless you Plant the seed... church. So that we will have separate classes,because had a dream. His dream was to organize a church. (Chunirch
There can't be attainment unless there's a,goal, the little church is too noisy. I know everybody will From his living room Mr. Williamson's dream began
and a man's but a robot unless there's a soul.., be gladd to have a new church and I will be glad to to materialize.
see this happen. Dear Rev .. Standifer, all members and friends of
If we sand no ships out, no ships can come in PP Achievements are the results of dreams and deeds, St John' s A.M.E. Church
and unl there's a contest,. Love If you want anything — dream about it, pray about
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nobody can win,,, Joauina Anderson it, but you will never get it unless you work for it.
It is with great pleasure that I ®Cain -ith you as GREETINGS!
For games can't.be won the are played, Age 7 From its humble beginnings St. Jahn has grown g P J Y
and prayers .can't be. answqre,4 unless they, are, from a good church to a better one. We are now ground is broken for the new St. John A.M.E:
prayed. striving for the best. Mr. Williamson would be pleas- Church complex. I am proud and..pleased to convey very
I joined St. John in 19 Y Y y best wishes to
Sv:let us Pray that Clod will ht us while we strive to J , under the pastor, Rev. ed to know the members of St. John ilia have a the ST. JOHNS A.M.E. CHURCH famil on behalf
Everett, father, of the
�ruito! our new church: since_ihe ground ' been Y ,Deacon D.C.D,G.Gilchrist,served in dream. dream of a new St. John y working For over twenty-nine years, I have had a close, . " nearly ,two million residents of Dade'
St. John until his death, He was Superintendent of together the St, John Family will make this dream a
prepared. :, Pe g Y personal aid. extremely pleasant relationship with .
the Sunda school for man
Sis: ora,ith Anderson Y Y Years and he had mine reality.. -' County.
the members and Pastors of St. John a most It was with great satisfaction that I received the news
of us children right here with him and my mother. I e Williamson Family reward' ex erience. of- the
g P ground-breaking 'ceremony for your new Church
also had nine children and all were methodist except Mrs. Louise Kennedy edifice.
two. I now have four living children. r. and rs. Lee e
The old St. John will always be remembered by You all have played a very important part in the
me. I came to Miami Florida in 1963 and started go- I've had glorious times in St. John and hope to get r. and rs, William Williams , City
more jay out of the new church.I'm going to keep on r. and Mrs. Jesse Williamson
history and well-being of the Coy of South Miami. I am,we11 aware. of the outstanding service the Church has
ing to church and Sunday school there. I later joined serving as I doing now. I a Sunday school The Late Miss Naomi Williamson S' p
at the age of 12. I had dedicated my life to Christ. I
St. John has always been in the forefront in provided our community throughout the years and news of
teacher, a member of the Stewardess Board No,1, seeking community awareness and advancement. its expansion and spiritual joined under the leadership of-lieu.W.A. Curry:I at- g Y P p' growth are goad tidings
-tended sunday school and church every, sunday if and a member of the usher board. I formerly served indeed.
possible. as Superintendent of the 'Sundayschool, and on the I think the new Santuary is marvelous. I pray that . I am proud to have had the honor of sharing many,
board of trust I will continue to work in the new God will let a see it. I' old now and can't work ex eriene.es with you. This milestone
During y youth, I was a member of the Jr, usher like I use to but I come to church when I can. I'm 81 P y you have reached is an inspiration to all
board Jr. choir and the ACE league. I-was active in church along with our wonderful pastor,Rev, Stan-
difer and his wife, and all of the wonderful brothers Years old and can't remember much but I worked the people of Dade County, as- it represents dedication,
.the Sunday school and served as secretary for many and sisters in the church, under the pastor, Rev. Garmon. a had me going May the blessing of the Lord .continue to shine on determination and- progress toward a common. goal of
_years, attending the Sunday School Conventions and eve where with him and doing everything for him.I you and yours . fellowship and workmanship..
the Christian Education Congress were some of the Sis Rose L. Jackson n' g $
would go with him to give sacrament; I'd wash his
most rewarding experiences growing up in the E
cure clothes anything else that w needed. I was Yours, for a better and brighter tomorrow, I congratulate the congregation and wish everyone many
Moving to South Miami, Florida from Monticello, worst than Sis. Turner. I had to give it up after a
years of continued success With fulfilling dreams and
As I grew up,learning more about the Lord, I Florida in the early 40's, I attended various churches, while though. I had to take care of my sister's M
providing services which shall enrich innumerable lives
learned to love my church more also. I stayed active including two baptist.churches Mt. Olive and Mt, children after she died, I Ioved working in the church
as a youth keeping Christ the head of my life. At the Nebo. I also attended all of the Holiness churches, I - and will do whatever I can do right now for the Lord, w.
;.
age of .19, Rev. W.A. Curry
Y PPainted me to the thought seriously about finding a church home. My I came to St. John in 1958 and have had many goad
,.,
Board of Trustees, and I have been a Trustee since two small children were already attending Sunday times there. I can't get there like I want to, and I'
that time. I'm president of the Voices of St. John, school at Mt. Olive Missionary baptist church. sorry that I don't have the money to give like I want JACK BLOCK
ce ly,
which w formerly the young adults choir, and has I grew up in t.Pleasant A.M.E. church in Mon- to,but God knows I depend on him and let his will be t> Y Judge of: the u
:.: g County Court:,
held the presidency since we organized in 4197$. I'm ticello, I was Converted there in 1939. I thought it done.
Mayor Emeritus of -the City-
serving as Assistant Church Secretary,Vice President would be robbery to connect with another church,so q
Sis eta ailone z rr of South Miami, Florida.
of the layman organization, a member of usher in the year 1947, I joined St. Jahn A,M,E, church max ,
board No.2, and has recently been appointed to the after coming to Miami, under the
. �..� � Step en,F, Clark
pastor Rev.• � - _ ,
Stewardship and Finance Committee. Everett.I joined the Usher board,attended regularly, I will be very glad to see the new church. I've been v _
For years I've worked with the youths and attended-class meetings, and was soon appointed a waiting for this moment for a Lang long time. I pray = 1 qtr ade or
Y.P.D,'ers,along with Sis. Rose Turner, I now enjoy steward. In later years I was elected to the Board of that God 1 let me live to see this
great day of the ,
working with my friend s.Jamison who is now the Trustees. During later years Mr. Williamson asked Ground breaking d live a little longer to enjoy the
Youth Director, Working with children is a joyous the pastor to appoint me as a class leader for class new church. _511-
experience for me. I've always wanted to help and No.1, to lighten his Ioad. I have enjoyed working in I've been a member of this church for a long time Dear Rev, Standifer:
will continue to teach them more about the Lord and this old church under the leadership of many and have work under'many pastors. I love my -
all of His goodness. ministers but in 1980 when Rev. Standifer was sent church d worked with the members and the pastors It gives me great pleasure to extend to you and the St, John A.M.E. Dear Reverend Standifer;
We've started this building fund program for years to lead us,He saw that we needed a church and began whenever I could.I'm now unable to work like I used Church family my heartiest congratulations on the ground breaking
and we are fianlly seeing the light. God has certainly to work with us, I think we should all join hands and to but God helps e to attend the services when I ceremony for your new church home on Sunday, August 25, 1985. My warmest congratulations to you and our congregation
t know that this is the culmination of efforts b both y on
put a light unto our path so that we may see the way, work with Rev. Standifer to accomplish this goal. can. I pray, I give, d I serve to the best of my abili- y you and a achieving your dream of anew. sanctuary-- for St. Jahn's. 'I'':ze
We have to keep the faith and pray that he will take How nice it will be to worship in a new church. I' ty. God is blessing us right now and I pray tat-he dedicated and committed congregation, building of such a sanctuary is -truly a milestone in the
cis over the pitfalls and over the mountains because praying that Gad will let me live to march in the new will continue to bless the St.-John family when we et life of a church. I know you, the members of St. John's
Y g Please accept my sincerest apology for not being able to join you on and their friends have sacrificed greatly for this major
the know that nothing will be perfectly smoathe alI church. in the new santuary. this momentous occasion as l will be out of town, May God continue to achievement.
the way to the end, Sis. Bessie Mae Woodard Sis Ruby Johnson bless you and keep you and may His face shine upon each of you and
I will continue to work in the new church along. give you peace.
with y pastor, Rev. Standifer, whom I think is do- May you enjoy it for many years to come as you dedicate it
to the greater glory and warship of God,
ing a great jab, Rev. Standifer has certainly helped 4Yitti warmest regards. :
e i many of my endeavors and has kept tree on the
right tract.The Church, I hope will serve not only St. Great Pioneer Mr. Marshoffl
Jahn embers, but will be an asset to the entire com- � _<� �
Sincerely,
unity of South Miami, We need a Church that will
Sincerely,
be here for our spiritual and educational needs. St.
I know in my heart that God will bless us to build
this new santuary and the ground breaking is the first
A.M.E. L ��
step, We've come this far by faith and we must con- .�
Barbara M. Carey Elizabeth y) Me calf
(Betty)
time o with our prayers. The very first black man to buy land in the Larkins wean blacks and whites and constantly worked for r �
County Commissioner Representative District 114
Your Sister in Christ, � _ R
area was Marshall Williamson. He was barn in the betterment of his race, , r r
ubystine Anderson Madison, Florida, January 31, 1590, and graduated
from Georgia State College where he learned carpen- TJP ATEfJL1P�lE 1976
try, a trade he followed all his life. He was a lifelong member of the Democratic Party
I joined this church under the pastorship of Rev. and did everything in his power to induce the blacks
Dukes. Rev.Garmon came shortly after that. I found r. Williamson came to Larkins in 1912 and of the area to exercise their w right to vote even carry-
St. John to be a fine church;very religious and close- started buying land. At one time he owned from SW ing them to the palls a his car. e was affectionately
ly nitted together. I just love`it, thats the reason I 64th Street to S 66th Street and from 62nd Avenue united
joined. I have been president of the number 2 choir to 65th Avenue. He married Elnora Count of known as the Little ayor of South Miami. ayor Congress of the
for any years. I also a trustee and I just work Leesburg, Florida,building his family home at 65 Block,Omar Stang and Sylvia Martin,longtime clerk
of, South Miami, considered him their good friend. Dear Reverend Standifer: re t ' e
where ever I can, doing the work of the Lord. I've SW 60th Avenue where his daughter, . Naomi On September 25th, 19fi9, he was onored,by the
always work to the best of my capacity and am Williamson, still resides. Before the house was even On Sept community w "Marshall welcome this opportunity `
thankful to God for letting me live this Iong to see the finished, church services d classes for school when,Mayor Block declared it arshall pp y to extend my congratulations to you and your congregation on the groundbreaking of the new
s of a new St. John. I've always looked forward children were held there. Williamson Dayp sanctuary.It requires much cooperation and hard work on the part of everyone involved,but the final result is always worth all
All eight illiamson children were given the op- the effort.
to is day and hope t live long enough to enjoy sec- portunity to o to college. Da Completion of such a worthwhile project is just c '
wing, in the new church. Thank God for my pastor, g $ Daughters Theresa Perry P J } cause far celebration and 1 am,again,pleased to be able to pass along my ,
In 1916 ershall Williamson donated the land for and Louise Kennedy became teachers and Naomi a warmest congratulations.
Rev, Standifer, whom I enjoy working with. I pray the St.John's A.M.E.Church,It was the first church registered nurse. Ruth Williamson married after s
M
that God will keep on blessing us, for blacks`in the community, and it still holds sec- graduation from high school. ,x
S' e-rely,
' Sis. litho Walker. -vices an SW 59th Pia r. Williamson also Williamson died in 1972 at the age o 8 , _..
donated the land for the J. .E, Lee School on SW is name will be perpetuated in the town he loved.
62nd'Avenue which,for the last few years has been On 1975;ground was broken for the shall n
�t
used far special classes. Williamson Park on SW 62nd Avenue near J. . :
We are greatful that the Lord has blessed us to get ,
to this point of the ground breaking of the new Lee School. This is now a small D E. E CELL
park for senior Me ber of n ress
church, And we pray for continued success. Marshall had a great deal of civic pride citizens with a recreation hall. In addition a 7-unit g
...
in his community. He was a constant visitor at Cit hi.h-rise apartment is there for senior citizens;and - . � w � •- -_ __, ,
!s Lucille a Y• Y � ,
. „... .,., ;....s F,
Amd UG J1 IES
."` Y
"Hall where he tried to promote better relations bet-_ _also..naed in honor of the Little. agar, T=