South Overton in Lubbock in Lubbock County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
St. John's United Methodist Church
Preston Smith, a charter member of the new church and later Governor of Texas, was approached about lending the Tech Theater, a motion picture theater, for worship services. The Rev. R. Luther Kirk was appointed to lead "the church that was not," and the first service was held at the theater on December 10, 1939. St. John's continued to meet in the Tech Theater or occasionally in Seaman Hall, the Episcopal Student Center, until September 15, 1940, when services were first held in the new church building at 14th and Avenue X. Soon after, the congregation required more space and a new sanctuary was built in 1952 on University Avenue.
With a slogan of "Open Hearts, Open Arms and Open Minds," St. John's has been a congregation with a tremendous sense of civic responsibility and deep concern for those in need. Activities and Programs have included assisting migrant workers in the 1950s and 60s with child care at the Migrant Day Center, making health kits, providing health screening clinics for the community in the 1960s and 70s, and numerous mission trips. Since the 1970s, the St. John's/St. Paul's Benevolence Program has focused on feeding the hungry. Imbued with a "loving energy," St. John's will continue to meet challenges with a spiritual and social conscience.
Erected 2019 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 22408.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Churches & Religion. A significant historical date for this entry is September 15, 1940.
Location. 33° 34.888′ N, 101° 52.206′ W. Marker is in Lubbock, Texas, in Lubbock County. It is in South Overton. Marker is at the intersection of University Avenue and 15th Street, on the right when traveling north on University Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1507 University Ave, Lubbock TX 79401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Texas Tech Alumni Association (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Christian Church (approx. ¼ mile away); The Mast House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mast/White Home (approx. 0.3 miles away); St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); Texas Tech Judging Pavilion (approx. 0.4 miles away); Texas Tech Dairy Barn (approx. half a mile away); Texas Tech University Dairy Barn (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lubbock.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2023, by Allen Lowrey of Amarillo, Texas. This page has been viewed 62 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 27, 2023, by Allen Lowrey of Amarillo, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.