The
Early
Church
St. John's, originally known as "Dutton Methodist Church", had strong roots of Methodist background.
In the spring of 1873, Rev. Mr. Hannah was appointed to serve our area and he started a weekly night service. These service continued until 1874 when monthly Sunday services began.
The original church building was built in 1878 and on January 4, 1890 it was destroyed by fire. This did not stop the congregation from moving ahead and by July 1st, 1890 the first corner stone was laid by Mrs. W. W. Shepherd of Mount Elgin Institute. A second corner stone was laid by R.W. Bro. W.B. Doherty, D.D.G.M Grand Master of Cameron Lodge. More than fifteen hundred people, including more than on hundred masons, attended the service. The new building was dedicated on Sunday, October 26th, 1890.
The mortgage on the church was burned in the fall of 1980 at a special Thanksgiving Service. The first street light in the community was donated by a member of the church and placed on the corner so that people attending evening service could see to get to their buggies. Below is what the church looked like in 1890. (Notice the Lamp Standard in the lower right below.)
