What are we like?
St. Johns Alma is an open and welcoming community to all who visit
us. Although a small congregation we reach out to the community
through our consignment shop the Plaid Door and individual ministries such as
Community Cafe,
visiting at Masonic Pathways, advocating for abused children, contributing to the
Women's Shelter, and adopting families at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Our life together is centered in the worship of God and
witnessing to the good news through our lives. Come and join us!
History of Saint John's Episcopal Church - Alma
Late in 1853, a party of four land and lumber prospectors, led by
Episcopalian Ralph Ely, walked along the rough wagon trail which ran from
Ionia to Hubbardston. Reaching the outskirts of civilization, they
continued north, cutting a trail for about twenty miles. Reaching the Pine
River at the big bend, today's Sumner, they continued northeast for about
twelve more miles reaching a spot which is today the intersection of
Center and State streets in Alma. There Ely built a twelve by fourteen
foot log cabin, the first building in what was to become the City of Alma.
The following April, Ely sent for his wife and four children. The first
meeting of the Episcopalians was to be in the Ely cabin without clergy.
The first regular services of the Episcopal Church in Alma were held in
the Baptist Church building. Plans were made and money raised so that
Saint John's was admitted as a mission parish in June of 1886. In November
of 1907, Saint John's was admitted as a Parish.
In 1961, the growth in membership plus the general physical condition of
the Church building dictated that a new building must be built. The church
at that time was located at the corner of Superior and Wright Avenue, site
of Evan's Drugstore today. A ten acre site had already been purchased on
North Luce Road, adjacent to the Pine River Country Club. Ground was
broken on Sunday, October 31, 1965, for the current structure. The last
service in the old building was held Sunday, October 30, 1966. The total
cost of the new building was over $200,000, a far cry from the cost of
$4,000 for the first building. On April 26, 1981, a ceremony was held in
the front of the church symbolizing the burning of the fifteen year
mortgage.