The formation of a community
of Episcopalians in and about Sharon took place in the sixties, and the
first public service of the church was held by Rev.
Thomas Corlett, December 10, 1865. The first "regular
service" was held by Rev. W. S.
Hayward on the third Sunday after Trinity, June 17, 1866,
the Christian church being used for the service. Three days later St.
John’s parish was organized, and after the adoption of a charter steps
were taken to build a frame church. The cornerstone of the first parish
church was laid August 7, 1866, Bishop
Kerfoot officiating. For nearly thirty years this building
was used as the place of worship, and after the completion of the
handsome stone church, was used for a parish house. The first
celebration of the holy communion was administered by Rev. Thomas Corlett, of
Kinsman, Ohio, assisted by Rev.
Hayward, who was then in charge of this mission. The
celebration was held in a private house, for the benefit of a sick
person, but other communicants also received.
The cornerstone of the present
stone church, on the northeast corner of State and Irvine streets, was
laid by the present bishop, Rt.
Rev. Cortlandt Whitehead, and the benediction of the
church took place July 16, 1895. The debt having been cleared after
five years of effort, the edifice was consecrated February 8, 1900, Bishop Whitehead, Bishop Leonard and
other clergy participating.
The present rector of St.
John’s is Rev. Frank J. Mallett,
Ph. D., who was called to the church in January, 1902.
Some of the events of his pastorate have been: The addition of a
handsome oak reredos in August, 1902; the holding of the first "prayer
book" service at Odd Fellows hall in South Sharon, the St. John’s choir
furnishing the music, and the establishment in the same year (1902) of
the first Episcopal Sunday school in South Sharon. In June, 1902,
ground was broken on the lot adjoining the church for the erection of a
brick-veneer and stone rectory, which was completed and occupied by the
rector's family in April, 1903. The fortieth anniversary of the parish
was observed June 17-20, 1906, when Bishop
Whitehead, Bishop Talbot, the rector and some sixteen
other clergy participated. On the evening of October 4, 1908, the
largest class ever presented to the bishop at one time was confirmed in
St. John’s, the class numbering eighty-eight.
Twentieth Century History of Mercer County,
1909, pages 282-283.