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Church Location & Address: 5701 Midway Park, Chicago, Illinois 60644 (map) Phone Number: 773 295 6468 Parking Information: Click Here
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To email Pastor Funches, click here
Missionary Sarah Funches
To email Missionary Funches, click here
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Building History
Greater St. John, originally named First Congregational Church of Austin was built in 1908 under the architect William Drummond. William Drummond was a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. The building’s iconic design as well as the stain glass windows and ceiling nods to many other Prairie House designs.
Church History
This ministry has been in existence for 63 years. This ministry started in a store front location, then moved to a larger redesigned firehouse and now to this magnificent architectural piece of art, designed by William Drummond; the student of Frank Lloyd Wright. We began on Western under the leadership of Elder Johnson. He pastored the church for (4) years.
After his passing, Bishop John I. Cobb of the Southern Illinois Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction appointed an interim Elder from Greater Holy Temple Church of God in Christ to pastor until a new pastor could be installed. Elder Edward Spence pastored St. John Church of God in Christ for 35 years under an interim bases; the interim lasted for 35 years.
Under his leadership, the church grew and moved to a new location. Many of the original families still attend the church. One of the first members of St. John, Mother Jessie Lee Clemons, still has family who attends the church. St. John has seen six generations of the Clemons family in constant membership; Mother Myrtis Clemons-Banks, Sister Mildred Clemons-Nicholas and her daughters, her grandchildren and her great grandson all are still members. Sister Angela Spence-Bolton, who is the daughter of Superintendent Edward and Mother Flora Spence, is also a member. St John has seen four generations of the Spence family.
Superintendent Edward Spence ascended to Glory and the church elected our current Pastor, Doctor Fragier Funches. Pastor Funches had a vision to move the church into a location better suited to house the vision that God gave him for this ministry. In 2004, we moved to our current location.
We know it was God who has blessed us to be able to move into this location. Many great things are yet to come through this ministry. Doctor Funches has been elevated and appointed to the office of 1st Administrative Assistant to Bishop Embra R Patterson Jr., Prelate of the Southern Illinois Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction. We are so honored to have Doctor Funches, an anointed and prolific theologian as our pastor.
Come and visit us and hear the Word the Lord has given him.