History

Trinity Episcopal Church in Asheville established a number of mission churches in the late 19th century. In 1872, St. John’s Episcopal Church was established as Trinity Chapel Haw Creek. The Bell and Lindsey families were among the first to attend services that were held in a one-room chapel until a larger building was purchased from another denomination.

In 1930, Trinity Chapel became an organized mission, which was the next step to becoming a parish. The designation meant that with some help from the Diocese, the church was able to cover most of its own expenses. Trinity Chapel Haw Creek became officially known as St. John’s-in-Haw-Creek in 1954. St. John’s achieved full parish status in 1985.

The first woman priest ordained in the Diocese of Western North Carolina, Elizabeth “Ibba” Tappe, served at St. John’s from 1977 to 1984.

Our current sanctuary was built in the early 1960s. It was considered of “contemporary design” and could seat 200 people. The former church was razed and, in 1996, a new parish hall was completed. This building houses two offices, three small classrooms/meeting rooms, the choir room, a kitchen, and a large room used for coffee hour and events.

Upon entering the church, to the left, is Weinhauer Chapel, named for William G. Weinhauer, the fourth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina. It includes a small altar and columbarium. Following his retirement in 1990, Bishop and Mrs. Weinhauer chose St. John’s as their faith family where the Bishop would celebrate occasionally at services and teach.

During the pandemic, the parish hall was the site of “learning pods” for local school children when classes were not in session. Over the years it has been the gathering place for music lessons, chorus practices, and meetings of the Haw Creek Community Association.

Recent improvements to the property include the installation of solar panels and a new fence around the Memorial Garden. A comfortable space was created in the back of the sanctuary to accommodate people in wheelchairs and families with young children.