Saint John Baptist Church

Survivors of an 1875 hurricane that hit the coastal town of Indianola moved to Corpus Christi and organized a baptist church for African Americans. Named St. John Free Mission Baptist Church, the congregation met in a barn until a sanctuary was built in 1876 at the corner of North Broadway and Twigg. The building was moved in 1910 to a new site at 1305 Ramirez Street. The first full-time pastor began holding worship services in 1921. A new church building was erected before 1940 to accommodate the growing membership, and an annex was added by 1945. Musical programs supported by the church included a choir, church band, and Glee Club quartet that was broadcast by four local radio stations for several years. In 1958, the congregation purchased 3.5 acres of land at this site and began construction of a new church building. The first phase of the building program, completed in October 1961, included several new rooms for church activities and sports facilities. A new sanctuary was finished and dedicated in May 1969, completing the building program. The church was supported many community activities and several social outreach ministries, and maintains active programs for its membership.

Saint John Baptist Church is a historical marker in Corpus Christi, Nueces County, dedicated in 1996. It is one of 105 historical markers documented in Nueces County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 147 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 27.7367, -97.4455 near Corpus Christi. The nearest cataloged historic site is Moravian Club of Nueces County (historical marker), about 2.1 miles away. Others within a short drive include Del Mar College, Travis Baptist Church, and Wynn Seale Junior High School.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5355004445. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.