On April 15, 1888 the Reverend W. A. Williamson organized the Mission Ridge Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The congregation initially worshiped in the Little School building or another facility owned by the Tate Springs Baptist Church. Mr. and Mrs. R. W. C. Lotspeich donated our present property. In March 1913 a house of worship was built on the corner of Perkins and Pleasant Ridge Rd. In 1954 A second structure was added and served as the new sanctuary with additional space for classrooms. Our present sanctuary was erected in April 1981 and the former sanctuary was repurposed into a fellowship hall. In July 1996 the members of Mission Ridge made the prayerful decision to change the name of the church to our present name, St. John Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Over one hundred twenty-seven years have passed, and St. John continues to faithfully worship God, build up the saints, and minister to our Lake Arlington community in a variety of ways.
We are a Christ-centered church whose primary emphasis is on the life-changing power of the Gospel. St. John is obviously a church with a long presence in Arlington and a strong history of serving our community. Our various ourreach efforts include charitiable donations of food, clothing and other household items, support of other local charitable organizations, and the financial support of missionaries in Central and South America and the African continent.
We are proud to say that St. John is one of a few congregations in the metroplex to welcome ex-offenders into the life of our congregation. We are known as a friendly congregation that is represented by a multi-national, multi-ethnic and multi-generational body of believers. Secondly, as attested by our participation with charitable causes, St. John is a merciful congregation. We take seriously the words of our Lord who said, “Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7) Third, St. John is unapologetically authentic. In other words, we are sincere about our ministry in our world, void of gimmicks or tricks. What we have to offer is the profound hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.