A Brief History of St Paul Presbyterian Church
The "Scandalous" Story of St Paul's Beginning
In 1959 there was only one church in Johnston, Iowa and Grant and Margaret Voorhees were in charge of running the youth group. The kids wanted to have a dance, but when the Voorhees asked the leaders for permission, they said: “no dancing in church!” So Grant and Margaret set out to find other like-minded believers who wanted a place where kids could kick up their heels in joy without a bunch of uptight religious people getting their panties in a bunch. [Cue “Footloose” music.]
Just for context, here's what was happening in 1959:
AND on November 20, 1959, a small but dedicated group of 44 persons approached the Presbytery of Des Moines, asking permission to establish a Presbyterian church in the Johnston area. Permission was granted, and on December 5, 1959, the first worship service was held in the old Johnston Lions Club building on Merle Hay Road with approximately 100 in attendance. On January 1, 1960, the Sunday School was started. Official organization of the congregation by the Des Moines Presbytery was held on February 28, 1960, in the Johnston High School. Membership in the new church totaled 74. Westminster Presbyterian Church in Des Moines was the main support of the fledgling congregation, supplying pastors for the pulpit at the Sunday morning service, the hymnbooks and the communion-ware.
Ground breaking for the sanctuary was held on November 25, 1962, and on May 19, 1963, the new sanctuary was dedicated. The sanctuary design was quite cutting edge for it's day and won a national award for it's architecture. On Easter Sunday 1984, groundbreaking ceremonies for a new addition to St. Paul Church were held. The ceremony set the stage for construction of a building that houses eight classrooms, fellowship hall, kitchen, and offices. Dedication of the new addition was held October 14, 1984.
A full-time youth coordinator became part of the staff in 1997 to put emphasis on the youth program of the church. The after-school LOGOS Mid-Week program for children and families began in the fall of 1997. The Community Food Pantry Garden was started in 1999. Each year it provides much-needed fresh produce to clients of the Johnston Food Pantry. The church sent a mission trip to Costa Rica in 2003 in cooperation with the Lion's Club.
The construction bug hit again in 2004 and work began on a gymnasium, sanctuary renovations, and the installation of a new roof. The "Family Activity Center" is host to Boy Scout Troop 44 (sponsored by the church since 1979), the Community Harvest Dinner, the Johnston Alternative Gift Market, Body and Soul Fitness Ministry, the and many sports teams make extensive use of the gymnasium at minimal cost
Our current pastor, Bill O'Connell, began in August of 2013. In 2014, 68 adults & youth gathered in 6 reflection groups to form the basis for the ReVision church-wide planning program. For 8 weeks they studied the Bible, Johnston and the surrounding areas's needs, and how the congregation could best serve the community in mission and ministry. The church's leadership is currently on 14th revision of the tracking report. St Paul welcomes all people, regardless of gender, race, economic status, or sexual orientation and offers a full array of programs for children, youth, and adults.
Just for context, here's what was happening in 1959:
- Dwight D. Eisenhower was President of the USA
- Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba
- Alaska and Hawaii were admitted to the union, becoming the 49th and 50th states
- The first transatlantic telephone cable is completed linking USA and Europe.
- Gallon of gas cost $.25
- TV programs included "Rawhide", "Bonanza" and "The Twilight Zone”
- Movies included "Some Like it Hot", "Ben Hur" and "North by Northwest"
- Johnston was an unincorporated town with about 1,500 residents and a whole lot of Pioneer fields
AND on November 20, 1959, a small but dedicated group of 44 persons approached the Presbytery of Des Moines, asking permission to establish a Presbyterian church in the Johnston area. Permission was granted, and on December 5, 1959, the first worship service was held in the old Johnston Lions Club building on Merle Hay Road with approximately 100 in attendance. On January 1, 1960, the Sunday School was started. Official organization of the congregation by the Des Moines Presbytery was held on February 28, 1960, in the Johnston High School. Membership in the new church totaled 74. Westminster Presbyterian Church in Des Moines was the main support of the fledgling congregation, supplying pastors for the pulpit at the Sunday morning service, the hymnbooks and the communion-ware.
Ground breaking for the sanctuary was held on November 25, 1962, and on May 19, 1963, the new sanctuary was dedicated. The sanctuary design was quite cutting edge for it's day and won a national award for it's architecture. On Easter Sunday 1984, groundbreaking ceremonies for a new addition to St. Paul Church were held. The ceremony set the stage for construction of a building that houses eight classrooms, fellowship hall, kitchen, and offices. Dedication of the new addition was held October 14, 1984.
A full-time youth coordinator became part of the staff in 1997 to put emphasis on the youth program of the church. The after-school LOGOS Mid-Week program for children and families began in the fall of 1997. The Community Food Pantry Garden was started in 1999. Each year it provides much-needed fresh produce to clients of the Johnston Food Pantry. The church sent a mission trip to Costa Rica in 2003 in cooperation with the Lion's Club.
The construction bug hit again in 2004 and work began on a gymnasium, sanctuary renovations, and the installation of a new roof. The "Family Activity Center" is host to Boy Scout Troop 44 (sponsored by the church since 1979), the Community Harvest Dinner, the Johnston Alternative Gift Market, Body and Soul Fitness Ministry, the and many sports teams make extensive use of the gymnasium at minimal cost
Our current pastor, Bill O'Connell, began in August of 2013. In 2014, 68 adults & youth gathered in 6 reflection groups to form the basis for the ReVision church-wide planning program. For 8 weeks they studied the Bible, Johnston and the surrounding areas's needs, and how the congregation could best serve the community in mission and ministry. The church's leadership is currently on 14th revision of the tracking report. St Paul welcomes all people, regardless of gender, race, economic status, or sexual orientation and offers a full array of programs for children, youth, and adults.