Rev. and Mrs. Bledsoe

301 Tyler St.
Waco, TX 76704
254.754.0059






Church History

t. John Missionary Baptist Church was organized in 1944 under the leadership of the late Rev. S.M. Cleveland. It was organized on South 3rd Street at the C.M.E. Methodist Church. The officers and Deacons were Deacon A. Lee, Deacon Smith, Deacon Eddie Bradshaw, Deacon Powell, and Deacon J. Brown.

ater that year the members and Rev. Cleveland rented a tent and placed it on Forest Street. Rev. Cleveland had Sunday services there for a short period of time before he and the Deacons decided to purchase a vacant house on the corner of 4th and Walnut. Rev. Cleveland remodeled the house into a church. However there was a SMALL problem! The church didn't have a name, so all the members were asked to put a name in a box, and the name that was chosen was St. John Missionary Baptist Church. And the woman responsible for naming the church was the late Sis. Elvira Ewing who served in the capacity as the church musician for over 40 years. In 1946 the members began having church services at St, John Missionary Baptist Church. A week long revival was held to celebrate.

nder the leadership or Rev. Cleveland, Rev.H.K. Ross and his family joined St. John, and he becasue asst. pastor to Rev. Cleveland. After many years of faithful service spiritually and financially Rev. Cleveland resigned in 1946 and, Rev. Ross became Pastor of St. John.

nder Rev. ross's leadership in 1961 the members purchased a church building at 301 Tyler St.

here were several minitries that served under Rev. Ross as assistant or associate pastors. The following are ones that served, Deacon gilbert Greenwood, Deacon Ulysses Cook, Deacon Jimmy Haliburton, Deacon Leroy Matthews and Deacon L. Ross

Rev. H.K. Ross served as pastor of St. John Minnionary Baptist 34 years. On January 3rd, 1980 Pastor Ross resigned his position as pastor of St. John.

n 1980 Rev. Nathanial Mccoy became pastor of St. John and stayed untill 1988, while residing over St John, God gave Rev. Mccoy a vision to build a new church, but it didnt come to pass. Rev. James Boyce became pastor of St. John in 1988, and after 4 years he resigned im 1992. Rev. John Hilliard became pastor of St. John in 1993, and after 2 years he resigned in 1995. Rev. Nathaniel McCoy returned to St. John in 1995 as Pastor.

More History page 2






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301 Tyler St. Waco, TX 76704 254.754.0059