St. John's Baptist Church has stood at the corner of Columbia Pike and Scott Street in Arlington, Virginia, for more than a century, a steady presence along one of Northern Virginia's busiest corridors. The motto carved into the church's identity comes from Mark 10:27: "For with God all things are possible."
A Church Founded on a Promise
St. John's Baptist Church was organized on October 9, 1903, by twenty-three Christian men and women who held that same conviction. During its first five years, the congregation worshipped at Odd Fellows Hall on Columbia Pike, near what is now the site of the Sheraton Hotel and not far from the National Air Force Memorial and the Pentagon. The area had once been home to Freedman's Village, which housed freed slaves during and after the Civil War. The first church building, constructed on the present site at 1905 Columbia Pike, was dedicated in 1908.
Through the decades, the congregation expanded under pastors including Rev. James H. Marshall and Rev. John R. Wheeler, with steady leadership from deacons and trustees such as Deacon Cleveland James and Trustee Garland Mitchell.
Pastor Bill Burrell
The Reverend Dr. Bill Burrell, an ordained Baptist preacher, international evangelist, conference speaker and pastoral counselor, leads St. John's today. Born in Thomaston, Alabama, and educated in DeKalb County, Georgia, Dr. Burrell was licensed to preach at Beulah Baptist Church in Atlanta and was ordained at St. John's under the late Rev. Dr. John Jasper Nicholas Jr. He holds degrees from Park University, Air University, The George Washington University, and Howard University, where he completed his Master of Divinity and Doctorate of Ministry.
Dr. Burrell was endorsed by the Progressive National Baptist Convention to serve as a chaplain in the United States Air Force. Over the course of nineteen military assignments and deployments, he supported operations including Southern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, and served as a hospital chaplain both stateside and in combat medical care facilities. He is a life member of the Military Officers Association of America, Tuskegee Airmen Inc., and the NAACP. Before coming to St. John's, he served at Gethsemane Baptist Church in Newport News, Virginia. He and his wife Natalie have four children and one granddaughter.
Sunday Mornings and Wednesday Bible Study
Sunday School meets at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Sunday service at 11:00 a.m. Communion is observed on the fourth Sunday of each month. On Wednesday evenings, Prayer and Bible Study gathers from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. via Zoom. Sunday services and Sunday School classes are recorded and posted to the church's YouTube channel, where members and friends can also watch the livestream.
Church Leadership
Alongside Pastor Burrell, Associate Minister Robert Taylor serves the congregation. James Woodard chairs the Deacon Ministry, and Doris Branch leads the Deaconess Ministry. The Board of Trustees is led by Chair Hazel M. Cameron and Vice Chair John Franklin.
Giving and Community Life
The church's stated purpose is to magnify God through reaching people and developing members toward Christlike maturity, preparing them for personal ministry. Tithes and offerings can be given online through Givelify or mailed to the church office at 1905 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA 22204. An annual Community Day draws neighbors together, and a yearly choir workshop brings musicians from across the region for fellowship and instruction.
Visiting St. John's
The church is located at 1905 Columbia Pike, Arlington, Virginia 22204. Visitors can reach the office at (703) 920-4228 or by email at stjohnsbaptist@stjohnsarlington.org. St. John's keeps an active presence on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Bluesky, where service videos and announcements are shared.