St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church

In giving an account of the history of St. John AME Church of Kushla, one has to rely on recorded as well as unrecorded documentation. Unrecorded data from two of the church's elder members, one yet a living legacy of ninety-six years and the other deceased, Ms. Mary Beatrice Blackston and Mrs. Lorena Malone Wilson, respectively, infer to this writer that the St. John A.M.E. Church of Kushla, Alabama was originally hewed from majestic oaks which surrounded the chosen site selected by the founders as early as 1859. According to documented history, St. John's original deed is dated 1892, and this heralds the recorded beginnings of St. John A.M.E. Church.

St. John has had 25 pastors serve, including Rev. Cleveland Smoke, who served for 23 years, and Rev. Johnnie M. Bryant, who served for over 29 years. On the 122nd celebration of the church's anniversary, the fellowship hall was named after Rev. Smoke & Rev. Bryant for their years of service to St. John.

Sons and daughters of St. John who were nourished within its vestibules before being called to the ministry include Rev Cleitus Walker Sr.; Rev Franklin Robinson Jr.; Rev Charles & Gladys Stallworth; Rev Albert Robinson Jr.; and Rev Michael Robinson; Recent newcomers to this group are Brother Keith Robinson and Sister Tanisha Robinson.

In September of 2013, St. John was favored by the Annual Conference with the leadership of one, Rev. Wendell Jones Sr. He is accompanied by his first lady, Mrs. Alana Jones, and their first born Wendell Jones Jr. Rev Jones has brought vigor, knowledge, and uniformity to the St. John Family. His youthful zeal to go even further in taking St. John to additional heights in Kingdom Building became apparent from his initial sermon.

Unquestionably, St. John had evolved through an affluent history of recorded and unrecorded events which has shaped the edifice into the fortress of love and humility that it denotes today. It is the continued hope of the ministerial body, the administrative body, and the church family that St. John A.M.E. of Kushla, Alabama continues in its role to lead others to Christ, Our Lord and Savior, and to be a source of refuge for those that thirst after God's Salvation. To God be the Glory!

Respectfully submitted by: Earnestine Robinson Kelly