St. John AME Architectural History
The historic Lafayette Square churches were, for the period, fashionable, and  in keeping with national and international architectural trends plus the prevailing Gothic revival style.The architectural high points of this community mainstay are the spires that once topped the English Gothic revival Grace and Ascension churches, combined with the massive and ornate German inspired clock tower.
St. John's architectural style is less conservative looking than the other churches of the neighboring English Gothic revival motifs, richly colored and patterned stonework, an abundance of colonettes. The architects, Thomas Dixon and Charles Carson, incorporated features such as carved foliate ornaments, pointed arches, and grouped lancet windows. Complementing the steeple are flying buttresses. St. John's steeple features a columnar shaft and capital supported by a corbel and flanked by arrow slits reminiscent of medieval fortifications.
Historic Preservation
The St. John AME church Board of Trustees is committed to taking a leadership role in the revitalization of the historic churches around the square, once known as Church Square and still a center for African American congregations in the city. The Board of Trustees, under the leadership of Debra Keller-Greene, was instrumental in preserving the Maryland Historic Tax Credit Program for use by non-profit organizations (churches) during the 2004 Maryland General Assembly. St. John remains a partner with the historic preservation community, the other churches around the Square, and neighborhood associations to help catalyze new interest in restoring this important historic area.
Thanks to the church's commitment to historic buildings and the preservation of Lafayette Square, St. John stands today as a symbol of renewal.
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