Greater St. John Holiness Missionary Baptist Church was organized with a small remnant of believers on May 10, 1985 by the Deacon Board at 1424 N. Massasoit, the home of our Chairman at that time Deacon John Cousett. At the time of its inception the church had no pastor and would not find our true spiritual guide until 4 years later. On the first Sunday in October of 1985, we moved to 3559 W. Roosevelt Road, like sheep in search of their shepherd. On January 12, 1986 we elected Reverend Eugene Rivers as Pastor. On the first Sunday in February 1986 we moved to 5410-12 W. Madison. On July 16,1987 we moved to 100 N. Austin. Reverend Rivers retained his pastoral office until April 1988 when he resigned from service. The congregation then elected another Pastor, Rev. Manual Slater, who stayed with the church for a mere 8 months before departing from his pastoral office. Finally, the church had given up on electing a Pastor and waited for God to send the right soldier to lead His people! On May 14, 1989 Rev. Ira J. Acree of the Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church became our Pastor and Shepherd!