St. John's Methodist Church

Front inscription

Est. 1856, the Methodist Church in Rock Hill was the town’s first formally organized religious body. Founding leaders included first minister Rev. John W. North and Susan Jane Bobo Springs, one of six charter members. Early membership was predominantly female. In 1857 they moved to a wooden 2-story building at Hampton and Black Sts., Rock Hill’s first purpose-built church.

Reverse inscription

In the 1880s members adopted the name “St. John’s.” Their second (1876-1897) and third (1897-1925) churches were both on Main St. The brick Gothic Revival structure at this site was completed in 1925 and later expanded. Designed by architects Casey & Fant, it included numerous classrooms, social spaces, and a 685-seat sanctuary. An expert at the time called it one of the best religious education facilities in the southern U.S.