Columbus in Muscogee County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Saint John African Methodist Episcopal Church

Photographed By David Seibert, April 30, 2011

1. Saint John African Methodist Episcopal Church Marker

Inscription. This one-story Victorian Gothic structure dates back to 1870. The cornerstone of the church indicates that the building was constructed in 1870 with the basement added in 1890. This suggests that the original wooden church was raised, a basement added, and then the entire structure bricked-in. St. John AME Church was originally named St. John Chapel and its congregation descended from that of St. James AME church in Columbus. The congregation was forced to move to a new site when the historic structure was severely damaged by a tornado. The Faith Tabernacle Full Gospel Outreach Church bought the St. John AME Church in 1993, committed to its restoration.

Erected 1994 by The Historic Chattahoochee Commission and the Faith Tabernacle Full Gospel Outreach Church.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.

Location. 32° 28.491′ N, 84° 59.16′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Georgia, in Muscogee County. Marker is at the intersection of 5th Avenue and Linwood Boulevard, on the right when traveling north on 5th Avenue. Touch for map. Marker

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is at or near this postal address: 1516 5th Avenue, Columbus GA 31901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Winona Cargile Alexander: A Founder of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated (a few steps from this marker); This Gun (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Confederate Dead (approx. 0.2 miles away); Columbus' First Jewish Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Last Land Battle in War of 1861-65 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tyler Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bullard-Hart-Sampson House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Linwood Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.

Regarding Saint John African Methodist Episcopal Church. Faith Tabernacle Full Outreach Gospel Church did restore the building, as noted on the marker. After an arson fire on April 1, 1998 Faith Tabernacle moved to a different location and changed its name to Faith Worship Center. The church building was again restored after the fire. It was been used by different ministries, but today the building is for rent.

Photographed By David Seibert, April 30, 2011

2. Saint John African Methodist Episcopal Church Marker

Photographed By David Seibert, April 30, 2011

3. Saint John African Methodist Episcopal Church Marker

Looking north on 5th Avenue

Photographed By David Seibert, April 30, 2011

4. Saint John African Methodist Episcopal Church Marker

Looking south on 5th Avenue toward downtown Columbus

Saint John African Methodist Episcopal Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By David Seibert, April 30, 2011

5. Saint John African Methodist Episcopal Church

Saint John African Methodist Episcopal Church Cornerstones image. Click for full size.

Photographed By David Seibert, April 30, 2011

6. Saint John African Methodist Episcopal Church Cornerstones

Saint John African Methodist Episcopal Church Cornerstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed By David Seibert, April 30, 2011

7. Saint John African Methodist Episcopal Church Cornerstone

The early cornerstone, stating the building was erected by the Rev. John G. Mitchell and the basement was erected by Rev. M. Smith in 1890.

Photographed By David Seibert, April 30, 2011

8. Saint John African Methodist Episcopal Church Cornerstone

The left-most cornerstone, stating that the building was remodeled in 1908 (possibly when it was bricked in) by the Pastor, Rev. J. T. Hall, D.D.

Photographed By David Seibert, April 30, 2011

9. Saint John African Methodist Episcopal Church Cornerstone

The last cornerstone, mentioning the tornado damage which left the building standing vacant without windows, belltower steeple, or roof. In 1992 the building was purchased and renovated by Larry U. Bussey, a Columbus property investor.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 4, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 887 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on August 4, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.