about st john's
One Church.
One Mission & Vision.
our history
A Legacy of Faith Since 1961
St. John’s United Methodist Church was founded in June 1961 by 60 charter members under the leadership of Pastor Thomas Babington III. After meeting at Highland School and a home on Kimbro Drive, the congregation broke ground on its first sanctuary in 1962. The sanctuary was dedicated on Easter Sunday, 1963.
Our Mission
Making Disciples. Transforming the World.
At St. John’s, we are making disciples of Jesus Christ by loving God, growing together in faith, and serving our neighbors with compassion. Rooted in Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit, we seek to transform lives, strengthen our community, and share God’s hope with the world.
"Go and make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world."
Our mission & Vision
Love.
Grow Together.
Serve Our Neighbors.
Our vision is the way we live out our mission. We believe God calls us to love deeply, grow together faithfully, and serve generously. Together, these values shape who we are and guide how we engage with one another, our community, and the world.
we believe
Welcomed,
Deeply Loved &
Affirmed
At St. John's, everyone is welcome. We affirm and celebrate people of every race, ethnicity, age, ability, background, sexual orientation, gender identity, and life experience. We believe our diversity reflects the beauty of God's creation, and we are committed to being a church where everyone is valued, included, and invited to grow in faith together.
Supporting Families with Compassion
Love.
We begin with love because God is love. We seek to love God, love ourselves as God’s beloved children, and love our neighbors as Christ loves us.
We express this love through meaningful worship, authentic relationships, radical hospitality, and everyday acts of kindness and compassion.
Our aim: To be a church where love shapes our identity, guides our decisions, and grounds all we do.
Growing in Faith through Community
Grow Together
Faith is not meant to be lived alone. We grow as disciples through shared experiences, meaningful relationships, and lifelong learning.
Through intergenerational relationships, Bible studies, small groups, fellowship, service opportunities, and spiritual practices, we encourage one another to deepen our faith and follow Christ more fully.
Our aim: To be a church where people grow in Christ by growing alongside others.
Putting Love Into Action
Serve
Our Neighbors
We serve because Jesus served, joining in Christ's mission by serving our community. Through acts of compassion, mission partnerships, outreach ministries, and justice-centered service, we work to meet real needs and share God’s love in tangible ways. We believe every person has gifts to offer and a role to play in transforming the world.
Our aim: To be a church whose presence makes a meaningful difference in the lives of our neighbors.
as our community grew so did
Our Campus
As the congregation grew, so did the campus. Over the decades, St. John’s expanded to more than six acres and added facilities including the gymnasium, education building, parsonage, Family Life Center, renovated sanctuary, narthex, covered walkways, and bell tower.
in baton rouge adn beyond
Serving Beyond Our Walls
Throughout its history, St. John’s has been committed to serving the Baton Rouge community through ministries including scouting, tutoring programs, a Children’s Center that served our members and neighbors, Opening Doors, Angel Tree, and other outreach efforts. In 2012, the church began to host The Shepherd’s Market, a ministry of Opening Doors non-profit and a client-choice food pantry that continues to serve neighbors facing food insecurity.
Growing in Faith and Community
A Place of Hope
Following the completion of the Family Life Center in 2016, the facility became a refuge during the historic Baton Rouge flood, housing relief workers and supporting recovery efforts throughout the region.
our governing body
The United Methodist Church
St. John's is a congregation of The United Methodist Church, a worldwide community of Christians committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Rooted in Scripture, guided by grace, and inspired by God's love for all people, we seek to worship wholeheartedly, serve compassionately, grow in faith, and welcome everyone into the life of our church. St. John's is part of the Southeast District in the Louisiana Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. Learn more about United Methodists here and about the Louisiana United Methodist Conference here.
2026
St. John’s celebrates its 65th birthday, giving thanks for our heritage and looking with hope toward the future. In this anniversary year, we adopted a new mission: Go and make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, along with a new vision for the years ahead: Love. Grow Together. Serve Our Neighbors.
2016
Following the historic Baton Rouge flood, the Family Life Center serves as a refuge and relief center for survivors and disaster response teams.
2015-2017
The Walk Capital Campaign funds major campus improvements, including the Family Life Center, sanctuary renovations, building the narthex, covered walkways, and the bell tower.
2012
The Shepherd’s Market opens, providing a client-choice food pantry for neighbors experiencing food insecurity.
1980-1991
The campus expands with the addition of a gymnasium, church office, education building, and surrounding property to accommodate a growing congregation.
1973
A former Presbyterian church building is purchased for $1 and relocated to St. John’s campus and renovated to provide additional ministry space.
1962–1963
Construction of the sanctuary begins. The sanctuary is dedicated on Easter Sunday, 1963.
1961
St. John’s United Methodist Church is founded by 60 charter members under the leadership of Pastor Thomas Babington III.
our work
A Brief History
of St John's
what's next
Looking Forward
For more than six decades, St. John’s has been a place of worship, learning, fellowship, and service. As we continue to grow and serve, we remain committed to shaping people in the way of Jesus and sharing God's love with our neighbors and the world.