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St. John Celebrates 110 Years
In 2026, St. John Missionary Baptist Church celebrates 110 years of ministry,
2026 Theme: Wholeness
Our theme for this year is Wholeness, rooted in 1 Thessalonians 5:23.
Small Groups Are Now Underway
Small Groups are officially up and running at St. John! These gatherings
Our Vision
Impacting the world through the production of disciples by demonstrating what it means to be God Grounded, Christ Centered, Bible Based and Mission Minded.
Core Values
“O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.”
Psalm 95:6
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Matthew 28:19-20
“Pray without ceasing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17
“For wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.”
Ecclesiastes 7:12
“Use hospitality one to another without grudging.”
1 Peter 4:9
“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”
Matthew 22:39
What We Believe
At St. John, our faith is grounded in the Bible and centered on Jesus Christ. These core beliefs guide our worship, our relationships, and our service to the world.
We believe in one true and living God – holy, loving, and sovereign – who created all things and continues to sustain and guide creation with wisdom and grace.
We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, fully divine and fully human, who lived without sin, died for our sins, rose from the grave, and reigns as Lord and Savior.
We believe the Holy Spirit lives within believers, empowering, guiding, comforting, and transforming us to live faithful and obedient lives.
We believe salvation is a gift of God’s grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ. Through His sacrifice, we are forgiven, redeemed, and given new life.
We believe the Church is the body of Christ, made up of believers called to worship God, grow in faith, love one another, and serve the world in God’s name.
We believe in the promise of eternal life with God. One day Christ will return, and God will establish the kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy.
Our Mission
Exalt the Savior, Evangelize the Sinner, Equip the Saint and Elevate Society
In all things God is to be glorified! Our primary objective is the worship, reverence and exaltation of the One greater that we. Psalm 150 declares that everything that has breath is to give God praise, and we seek to satisfy at every opportunity. Christ confessed that if he were to be lifted, that all men and women would be drawn unto him; therefore, we exalt.
We believe that even the greatest sinner on Earth is capable of obtaining salvation if they come to believe in their heart and confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord. Matthew 28:19 commissions us to embark in reaching those who have not yet come to know Jesus and the free pardon of their sins; therefore, we evangelize.
As Christians, we are to grow in knowledge and in grace. We take seriously the equipping and educating of those who have come to know Christ and are seeking a deeper relationship. This church assumes the responsibility of equipping through teaching, preaching and fellowship. 2 Timothy 2:15 instructs us to study that we may show ourselves approved; therefore, we equip.
To develop the church and ignore the surrounding community is a dangerous disservice that will ultimately prove to be detrimental. We must be willing to work beyond the four walls of the church in order that the church might fulfill its mission. Our churches will only be as strong as the communities in which they are situated; therefore, we elevate.
Church History
For more than a century, St. John has been a spiritual home for generations of believers. Our story is one of humble beginnings, faithful sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to Christ and community.
Humble Beginnings and
Sacred Foundations
(1916–1945)
The roots of St. John reach back to 1916, when prayer meetings and worship services were first held in a tent on the property of Sister Mary Rorex. In those early gatherings, believers came together with little more than faith, hope, and a deep desire to worship God in spirit and in truth.
1916
In May 1917, the congregation was formally organized as the First Colored Baptist Church of Maryville under the leadership of Reverend J. W. Wilson. From its earliest days, the church stood as a refuge and a beacon for African American families seeking spiritual strength and communal support.
1917
In 1918, members began constructing their first permanent sanctuary. With their own hands and limited resources, Rev. Wilson, Brother Lewellan Perry, Brother Will Siler, and Brother Barry Andrews led the effort. The women of the church, including Sister Mollie Bogle, faithfully prepared meals to sustain the workers. What rose from that labor was more than a building; it was a house of faith built on sacrifice.
The wooden structure was heated by coal, supplied by nearby wells, and illuminated by simple lamps. Yet within its walls, worship was rich, prayers were fervent, and hope was abundant.
Rev. Wilson, though lacking formal education, possessed deep scriptural knowledge and spiritual conviction. Balancing pastoral leadership with labor at the Aluminum Company of America in Alcoa, he embodied devotion and resilience.
Early leadership reflected remarkable vision. Sister Willie Townsend helped secure the land for the church. Sister Sarah Edwards served as the first Mother of the Church. Deacons such as Brother Handy Edwards, Brother Frank Boyd, and Brother Macfarland strengthened the congregation’s foundation.
As families migrated northward seeking opportunity and dignity, St. John became their spiritual anchor. It was a place of belonging, encouragement, and praise.
1918
In 1921, following internal conflict, Rev. Wilson’s pastorate ended, and the church entered a transitional period. Several pastors served in the years that followed, including Rev. Hargraves, Rev. Brown, Rev. L. W. Jackson, Rev. J. L. Coffee, Rev. H. McClain, Rev. O. Tucker, and Rev. D. L. Gaines. Under Rev. Gaines, the church received a stone veneer, further strengthening the building.
1921
Expansion,
Stability & Influence
(1945–1975)
In 1945, Reverend H. R. Burge was called to serve as pastor, ushering in a defining era of growth and influence. For more than three decades, his leadership nurtured spiritual maturity, numerical expansion, and financial stewardship
1945
Under his guidance, the sanctuary was expanded, and in 1950, an annex was constructed to house classrooms and fellowship spaces. St. John matured into a thriving ministry center, shaping faith and character across generations.
During this period, the church joined the Knoxville District Baptist Association and the National Baptist Convention, strengthening its regional and national connections.
Rev. Burge made history as the first Black minister to serve in the White Ministerial Alliance in Blount County, earning widespread respect for his integrity and leadership.
Faithful lay leaders and devoted women sustained the ministry. Their service, prayers, and sacrifices became the unseen pillars of the church’s success.
1950
When Rev. Burge passed in 1975, the congregation mourned deeply. Yet his legacy remained firmly woven into the fabric of St. John.
1975
Renewal,
Challenge & Perseverance
(1976–1990)
In 1976, Dr. Riggins R. Earl assumed pastoral leadership, bringing scholarly insight and spiritual depth. As a professor at the University of Tennessee, he strengthened biblical teaching and expanded outreach.
During his tenure, the church launched a bus ministry—“Miss Maggie”—which connected students and community members to worship and fellowship.
1976
Following Dr. Earl’s departure in 1980, the church experienced division and transition. Out of this season emerged Mother Love Baptist Church. Though difficult, this period refined St. John’s resilience and reaffirmed its commitment to unity.
Later in 1980, Rev. Joe L. Colquitt was called as pastor. His passionate preaching and evangelistic spirit energized the congregation and renewed its focus on soul-winning.
By the late 1980s, it became clear that a new facility was needed. Through prayer, fasting, and faith, the congregation embraced the vision.
1980
Vision,
Construction & Renewal
(1991–2011)
On August 4, 1991, ground was broken for a new sanctuary. Materials from the original structure, especially the stonework, were preserved, honoring the past while embracing the future.
1991
Dedication services were held in April 1992, followed by the celebration of the church’s 75th anniversary. These moments marked both gratitude and anticipation
1992
In the years that followed, God blessed the church financially. Ministry vans were purchased, debts were retired, and new property was acquired. In 2007, the burning of the mortgage symbolized freedom, faithfulness, and divine provision.
2007
After more than 30 years of service, Rev. Colquitt retired in 2011, leaving behind a legacy of devotion and leadership.
2011
A New Generation &
Renewed Vision
(2012–Present)
In 2012, God led St. John into a new chapter with the calling of Pastor Charles F. Lomax, Jr. At age 29, he brought academic excellence, pastoral sensitivity, and a deep commitment to discipleship.
Installed in May 2012 before a packed sanctuary, Pastor Lomax’s leadership marked a season of renewed vision, community engagement, and spiritual formation.
2012
Centennial Anniversary
2016
Under his guidance, St. John has continued to grow embracing innovation, strengthening ministries, and deepening its witness in Blount County and beyond.
Today, St. John stands as a vibrant, growing, and forward-thinking congregation firmly anchored in Christ, guided by Scripture, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. We are excited for what God is in the process of doing.
Now
Reverend Dr.
Charles F. Lomax Jr.
The Reverend Dr. Charles F. Lomax Jr. serves as Senior Pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Alcoa, Tennessee, where he has faithfully led since February 2012. Under his pastoral leadership, St. John continues to strengthen its witness through dynamic worship, purposeful outreach, and a deep commitment to spiritual formation and community transformation.
A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, Dr. Lomax earned his bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Political Science from the University of Tennessee. He received his Master of Divinity from the Morehouse School of Religion at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia, and later earned the Doctor of Ministry degree from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in 2018, with a concentration in Leadership and Community Witness. His academic training reflects his lifelong commitment to integrating faith, scholarship, and public engagement.
Dr. Lomax is widely recognized for his leadership in ministry, nonprofit management, and civic life. He has served as President and CEO of the Knoxville Area Urban League, Director of Community Empowerment for the City of Knoxville, and currently serves as Director of Philanthropy for the YMCA of East Tennessee. Across these roles, he has consistently advanced initiatives that address systemic inequities, expand opportunity, and empower communities throughout the region.
A respected civic and faith leader, Dr. Lomax has served as Moderator of the Knoxville District Baptist Missionary and Educational Association, Vice President of the Knoxville Interdenominational Christian Ministerial Alliance, and as a Commissioner on the Knoxville/Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the American Heart Association, SOAR Tennessee, and as a Chancellor’s Associate at the University of Tennessee. His fraternal and civic affiliations include Sigma Pi Phi, Theta Phi Honor Society, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Life Member), and the NAACP.
Dr. Lomax’s leadership and service have been recognized with numerous honors, including the United Negro College Fund’s Outstanding Young Alumni Award, Knoxville Business Journal’s 40 Under 40, Leadership Knoxville, and the Diversity Champion Award from the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission.
Known for his thoughtful preaching, strategic leadership, and pastoral heart, Dr. Lomax is deeply committed to developing leaders, strengthening institutions, and advancing justice grounded in faith. His ministry reflects a passion for bridging the sacred and the civic in service to God and community.
Outside of his professional and pastoral responsibilities, Dr. Lomax enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, volunteering, cooking, and staying active through golf and pickleball.