St. John's Church, Savannah

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St. John's Church in Savannah is a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia. The church was formed in 1840 from the growing Christ Church, Savannah, as part of a plan to increase Episcopal presence in Georgia and to provide for a first bishop of the diocese. In addition to his Episcopal duties, the bishop would be rector of both St. John's and Christ Church. Stephen Elliott, Jr. was consecrated as Bishop of Georgia in February 1841. St. John's first building was consecrated in 1841. The congregation outgrew this building; the current building, situated across from the historic Green-Meldrim House (now the church's parish house), was consecrated in May 1853.

In 1965, the rector, Ernest Risley, an ardent segregationist, led the church to split from the diocese over the matter of integration; it rejoined the diocese in 1970.

[edit] Rectors

Rectors of St. John's Church include: Stephen Elliott, Jr. (1841-1845); Rufus M. White (1845-1853); George H. Clark (1853-1861); Cameron Farquhar McRae (1862-1867); Samuel Benedict (1867-1877); Charles Hall Strong (1878-1914); William T. Dakin (1914-1923); William Aimison Jonnard (1924-1929); Charles C. J. Carpenter (1929-1936); Ernest Risley (1936-1965); Paul W. Pritchartt (1970-1973); William H. Ralston, Jr. (1974-1998); Michael L. Carreker (1998-2006); Gavin G. Dunbar (2006-present).