Our Story
Faith & Community in the Heart of Elkhart
Sharing Faith + Joined in Love + Christ-centered
If you take a stroll through downtown Elkhart, down to the corner of West Lexington Avenue and 3rd Street, you’ll likely spot us. We are the historic church with the tall tower and the bright red doors. To the generations of neighbors who pass by us every day, we are affectionately known as "the downtown church."
But those red doors aren’t just a landmark—they are an open invitation. Behind them is a community of people trying their best to live out a beautiful, simple mission every single day: Sharing Faith + Joined in Love + Christ-Centered.
Rooted in Christ, Planted Downtown
At the center of our story is Jesus. His life, death, and resurrection shape how we see the world and how we treat one another. Because the Scriptures remind us that "God so loved the world," we believe we are all joined together in that love.
But we don’t believe faith should stay trapped inside a building. For us, sharing faith means rolling up our sleeves and heading out into the neighborhood.
St. John’s has been a fixture of downtown Elkhart for generations, and we are fiercely committed to staying right here. We love this city—its residents, its local businesses, and its vibrant culture. Over the years, we’ve loved opening our historic space to the community as a venue for the Elkhart Jazz Festival and local Art Walks, and we are constantly dreaming up new ways to connect with our changing world.
A Legacy of Care, One Neighbor at a Time
If you look closely at our ministries, you'll see our heart for our neighbors in action. For over 30 years, our Food Pantry has been opening its doors week after week, ensuring that families in our community don’t have to go hungry. It is our longest-running ministry outside of Sunday worship, and it sits at the very core of who we are.
Step outside into our parking lot, and you’ll find The Giving Tree. Every single week, our congregation hangs clothing from its branches so that those experiencing homelessness can find warmth, dignity, and a reminder that they haven't been forgotten.
We also believe in investing in the future of Elkhart. Each school year, our pews fill up not just with people, but with school supplies collected for the kids at Beardsley Elementary. And when Christmas rolls around, our church family adopts local families to make sure there are gifts under the tree and plenty of food on the table.
From Elkhart to the World
While our roots are dug deep into Elkhart's soil, our branches reach across the globe. As part of the wider Episcopal Church, we know that our neighborhood is the entire world.
Through our global ministries, the people of St. John's help fund education and support students in Honduras. And whenever disaster strikes—whether it’s a hurricane in the United States or a crisis halfway across the globe—we partner with Episcopal Relief & Development to send tangible help and hope to those who need it most.
Be a Part of Our Next Chapter
Our story is long, rich, and full of love—but it isn't finished yet. Whether you are looking for a place to belong, a way to serve your community, or a quiet space to seek God, there is a place for you behind the red doors.
We can’t wait to meet you and welcome you into the story of St. John's.
Gathering Together: At the Heart of Our Worship
At the very heart of the St. John’s story is our deep commitment to worship God and celebrate the Sacraments together. For generations, gathering for weekly Sunday Mass has been the spiritual anchor that grounds our community and fuels our mission.
For us, worship is where our story comes alive. It is a sacred time where the ancient and the modern meet. Step into our sanctuary on any given Sunday, and you will hear the timeless, heavenly sound of our organ lifting up our congregational songs. You will hear the reading of Holy Scripture from both the Old and New Testaments, followed by a message from our Pastor that helps us apply those ancient words to our modern daily lives.
A Table Where All Belong
The climax of our story each week takes place around the altar during the celebration of Holy Communion. We believe that God’s love excludes no one. Whether you are a lifelong Episcopalian well-acquainted with Jesus, or a curious seeker exploring faith for the very first time, you have a place in our story.
All baptized Christians are warmly invited to receive the Sacrament of Communion at our altar, and those who are not yet baptized are deeply encouraged to come forward for a blessing.
Taking Worship Beyond the Red Doors
We do not view worship as a routine that begins and ends on Sunday morning. Instead, it is the gathering of Christ’s disciples to be fed, inspired, and renewed. The fellowship we share in the pews binds us together, and the grace we receive at the altar sends us out.
Ultimately, we are called to live out the faith we practice in worship—taking the love, hope, and peace we find inside our church walls and sharing it generously with the downtown Elkhart community and the wider world.
(Note: If you are looking for specific service times, digital streaming links, or details on what to expect when you visit, please head over to our Worship Information Page.)
Our Worship Space
The origin of our congregation begins in 1845. The first church building was erected in 1873 on the present location of the northeastern corner of Lexington Ave and Third. Inadequate for the needs of a growing parish, this building was moved.
The second and current building was completed in 1895 and has since become an identifiable landmark in downtown Elkhart. The church is built roughly on a cruciform or cross-like design, with the eyes directed to focus on the altar which is central in worship. Some of the existing stained glass windows are original to the building. These windows are done in Tiffany Style stained glass. We have several other beautiful stained glass windows including a large window on the west side of the church. Jesus’ crucifixion is central in this window with God, the Father supporting the the arms of the Cross. Inside the sanctuary, your are surrounded by these beautiful windows and wonderful wood carvings.
The sanctuary space was substantially altered in 1983 with the inclusion of a world class Casavant organ. In recent years, St. John's works with organist and choral interns from the University of Notre Dame's Sacred Music Program.
In 1953 the Parish Hall was erected on the eastern flank of the church building. The Parish Hall included much needed office, classroom, and other utility spaces. Since that time, the Chapel of Christ the King, the Common Room, the Theater Room, Food Pantry space, and the Choir Room emerged. The Chapel of Christ the King includes St. John's Columbarium (1992).
To join us in worship you may enter the building through our main doors on W. Lexington Ave. The worship space, sanctuary is up a few stairs and then to the left. The building is handicap accessible with an elevator just inside the doors. An usher can help you with receiving a bulletin to follow during worship and direct you to the bathrooms. A guest registry is located just outside the sanctuary. Pastor Terri and Deacon Melissa greet worshipers as they leave the worship space. They would be glad to talk to you further about St. John’s and our faith. Connect with the Pastor through email.