Saint John's Episcopal Church, Savannah

To find Saint John’s Episcopal Church on Madison Square, turn west and look for the Gothic-style church with tall pointed windows and a single slender spire. The historic Green-Meldrim House is immediately to the church’s left, on the southern half of the block.

The parish was established in 1841 as Savannah’s second Episcopal congregation. Many of its first members came from the nearby Christ Church, and its first rector, Stephen Elliott, later became the first Episcopal bishop of Georgia.

The present church was designed by Calvin Otis and completed in 1853. Although relatively restrained compared with some Gothic Revival churches, it is easily recognized by its pointed arches, narrow windows, and prominent spire. A ship’s mast reportedly forms the central support of the spire, while the church’s chimes can often be heard around Madison Square.

Inside, first look upward at the exposed hammer-beam ceiling, which gives the nave a greater sense of height. Then turn toward the rear, or western end, to see the pipe organ positioned in the gallery above the entrance. At the opposite end, beyond the rows of pews, the altar is backed by an elaborate reredos featuring a large figure of the crucified and risen Christ.

Along the north and south walls, look for fourteen stained-glass windows dating mainly from the late 19th century. Together, they present episodes from the life of Christ in sequence, including the Annunciation, the Nativity, the Flight into Egypt, Jesus in the Temple, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. Move slowly along either aisle to examine the individual scenes and the rich colors of the glass.

After leaving the church, turn left toward the adjoining Green-Meldrim House. Identify it by its ornate cast-iron entrance porch, pointed Gothic details, projecting windows and crenelated roofline. Built for cotton merchant Charles Green, the mansion served as General William Tecumseh Sherman’s Savannah headquarters from December 1864 until February 1865. Judge Peter Meldrim later purchased the building, and Saint John’s acquired it in 1943. Today, it remains the church’s parish house and hosts meetings, receptions, concerts, and other events.