St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, a summer mission of Holy Cross Parish and  lovely, historic church, was established in 1862 by Brother William West Skiles, Episcopal deacon and member of the monastic community founded in Valle Crucis in the mid nineteenth century.    

The priest in charge of Holy Cross has always exercised responsibility and oversight of St. John’s as well.  For the past decade, worship services have been held on Sunday mornings from Memorial Day through Labor Day.  Occasionally, services of Compline or Evensong are offered.  Those who participate include members of Holy Cross who enjoy the change-of-pace of a less formal worship experience in the summer.  Others are seasonal residents of Valle Crucis or visitors to the area, and some are folks who have little or no church affiliation but find St. John‘s to be a welcoming, safe place to ask questions of faith.

The beauty of St. John’s architecture and setting has lured many artists and photographers to choose it as their subject.  It has also become a popular site for weddings.  Some who married here return for a visit on a summer Sunday.

There’s no heating system nor organ nor piano, but the church’s wooden walls provide marvelous acoustics for music which might include hammered dulcimer, flute, fiddle, banjo, guitar, harmonica, bass, keyboard or voice. Some years, we have offered monthly Sunday evening concerts followed by picnics on the grounds to which all are invited. Summer 2011 our concert series included:  May - Singin' in the Valle, Holy Cross Choir; July -  Todd Wright Ensemble, jazz; August -
Whitetop Mountain Band,  traditional mountain music; and September -
Cathedral Choir of Trinity Cathedral in Columbia, SC, a cappella.

Come join us!  All are welcome.