St. John's Episcopal Church

700 High St.

Images: (1) St. John's Episcopal Church; (2) 1888, during time when steeple was redesigned after being destroyed in a storm - it was later restored to the original look; (3) Interior, 1923

In Feburary 1804 the congregation of the St. John's Episcopal Church was formed by members of the Episcopalian dominated Scioto Company. Early services were held in the log schoolhouse on the northeast quadrant of the Village Green. The village founders had reserved a double lot on the Village Green for a church building along with 100 acres of farmland for its support.

In 1817 Rev. Philander Chase became St. John's first ordained priest to serve as minister. Chase had planned to build a college south of Worthington, but eventually started Kenyon College in Gambier, OH. instead. Serious conflicts with community leader James Kilbourn resulted in a short seven year tenure.

St. John’s was completed in 1831 and is the oldest church in Worthington, as the Methodists’ 1823 building ant he Presbyterians 1831 buildings no longer survive. Arora Buttles, the only mason who knew how to lay Flemish bond, was most likely the brick mason for this project. The Gothic revival style of the original building has been retained though some additions and renovations have been made. The square brick tower has a colonial style belfry. In the 1990’s, a “connector” was built between the church and the parish hall.

The church is open for services on Sunday and by arrangement with Church office.