St. John’s in Medina part of Sacred Sites tour on May 16

Photos by Tom Rivers: St. John’s Episcopal Church is shown on Oct. 18 when the church was featured in an architectural tour to benefit the Cobblestone Museum. The stained-glass windows, some from the 1800s, are the earliest ones in Orleans County.

MEDINA – The annual “Sacred Sites” tour around the state will feature St. John’s Episcopal Church, one of the oldest churches in the county.

St. John’s also is known as “the church in the middle of the road” and has been featured on Ripley’s Believe It or Not.

Provided photo: The church is one of the oldest in the region. Construction started in 1832 and was completed in 1838, with a bell tower added later.

St. John’s church began as St. Luke’s Mission in 1827, a result of a rapidly growing village and a group of men who felt spiritual guidance was needed. The Erie Canal was bringing progress and more people along its path.

Construction was started in 1832 with the Medina sandstone quarried from the banks of the Erie Canal. The building was completed, except for the tower, in 1838.

St. John’s will be part of the New York Landmarks Conservancy’s 16th annual Sacred Sites Open House on May 16 & 17. Visitors are welcome to explore the extraordinary architecture, art and history of diverse houses of worship across New York.

This year’s theme is “Holding Community Memories,” and participating sites will showcase their buildings, histories, and community programs through guided tours, lectures, musical performances, and by opening their archives, the Conservancy stated.

“Open House Weekend is an invitation to explore the architecture, art, and history within religious buildings in your community,” says Peg Breen, President of the New York Landmarks Conservancy.  “It’s an easy and enjoyable way to be a tourist in your own town.”

To date, congregations participating from the Western New York region in Sacred Sites include:

Buffalo

• Blessed Trinity Roman Catholic Church, 317 Leroy Avenue, Saturday, May 16, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Corpus Christi Church, 199 Clark Street – Saturday, May 16, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, May 17, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Niagara Falls

• Niagara Heritage of Hope and Service, Home of Historic Holy Trinity, 1419 Falls Street – Sunday, May 17, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Medina

• St. John’s Episcopal Church, 200 E Center Street – Saturday, May 16, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information about the New York Landmarks Conservancy Sacred Sites Open House, visit nylandmarks.org.

St. John’s, shown during the Oct. 18 open house, will offer guided tours and music on May 16 as well as games for children.