About Us—Our History

When the nine founding fathers of St. John's La Porte met on a cold January evening some fifty-two years ago, little did they imagine that some day their church would be attended by men who would carry a psalm to the moon, bring it back, and present it to St. John's…

On that night, it was agreed that Evening Prayer would be held as the first service three weeks later in the Music Room of the old La Porte High School building. The tiny congregation developed rapidly. They met every two weeks at the High School and then on Maundy Thursday, May 29, 1945, the La Porte Methodist Church was borrowed for the first service of Holy Communion.

Construction began in early March 1947 on the first building of St. John's Mission, a Christian education building that would be used for church services until the sanctuary could be built. The first service held in the new building was Easter Sunday, April 16, 1947, a day of great celebration and thanksgiving for the mission which had worshipped in borrowed places for two years. (That original building is now a private residence in La Porte.)

Our current sanctuary was dedicated in 1953 and we added a new narthex. There are two other structures on the property. Stein Hall houses our after school program and our Godly play Sunday school classrooms. Faith Hall, houses our fellowship hall and commercial kitchen. The area currently in use at Faith Hall is the completion of phase one of a two-part vision. The vision will be completed with a second story for Faith Hall that will combine Christian education and fellowship, and renovation of Stein Hall that will include additional rooms for the After School Program and elevators for both buildings.

Through the years, our congregation has been blessed by these loving and shepherding priests:  P. Walter Henckell-Vicar 1945-1948, Cabot Stein-1948-1954 David McGirr-1955-1956, Robert Lane-1957-1961, Donald Raish-1962-1971, Leighton Younger 1972-1997 Father Younger is our Rector Emeritus., Will Hood-1999-2003, Bill Deforest-2003-2004, Michael Besson 2006-present

Our interim clergy included: Joseph De Paola, Robert Johnson (who started as an assistant to Will Hood) and Linda Wilson.

Together, our clergy and members have successfully realized the completion of many visions. Including:

· The buildings: the sanctuary and narthex, stained glass windows, two parish halls (Stein Hall and Faith Hall), an administrative building, and the purchase of adjoining property to accommodate our growing parish.

· Worship services: both Rite I an d Rite II are used, a choir, musicians to add to our Sunday morning experience, a contemporary service once a month, a strong youth program, and a Daughters of the King Chapter.

· Equipping of lay persons as: worship leaders, lectors, chalice bearers, Eucharistic ministers, acolytes and altar guild.

· Christian education:  Church school for youth and adults, children’s church, men’s Bible study, women’s ecumenical Bible study and Wednesday evening worship.

· Community service: the After School Program, Teen Parent Program, participation with Habitat for Humanity, and participation in other community activities.

At St. John’s, we honor our past and look forward to riding the crest of saints who have gone before as we continue our adventure toward “all such good works as God has prepared for us to walk in.”

To contact us:

Rector

The Rev. Michael Besson

815 South Broadway

La Porte TX  77571

Phone: 281-471-0383

Fax: 281-471-1720

E-mail: info@stjohns-laporte.org

Building bridges to Christ, one heart at a time.

St. John's Episcopal Church    "The Beloved  by the Bay"