Saint John's Episcopal Church

Saint John's Episcopal Church in Rutherfordton is one of the finest examples of Greek Revival style religious structures in Western North Carolina. Visitors feel they have stepped back in time when they enter the church. Almost all of the original interior remains, including the pews.

Built in 1846, St. John's Episcopal Church is the oldest church structure in Rutherford County. St. John's was an Episcopal Church until 1936, when it was purchased by the Lutheran Synod and became Trinity Lutheran Church, the name by which it is known today. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and is now owned by and serves as the headquarters of the Rutherford County Historical Society.

St. John's Episcopal Church features a low-pitched pediment gable front, large windows in symmetrically molded frames with corner blocks, and a square louvered belfry under a low pyramidal roof.

Hours of Operation

Open daily between March 1 and December 1.

Admission Fees

None.

Location

From I-40 (near Marion): Take Exit 85 to US 221 and follow US 221 South to Rutherfordton. Stay on Business 221 which becomes North Main Street. Once in Rutherfordton, St. John's Episcopal Church is on the left before the downtown (the small white church with steeple).

From I-26 (south of Asheville): Take Exit 36 (Northbound) or Exit 34 (Southbound) to US 74 East (do NOT exit to NC 108). After 20 miles, exit onto US 221. Turn north towards Rutherfordton. US 221 becomes South Main Street. After passing the courthouse on the left, begin to look for St. John's Episcopal Church on the right.

St. John's Episcopal Church
702 North Main Street
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
(828) 287-0390