A Congregation Built on Music and Children, on Reno's West Plumb Lane
St. John's Presbyterian Church sits at 1070 West Plumb Lane in Reno, a stretch of road just off South Virginia Street where mid-century homes share the block with longtime civic institutions. For decades, St. John's has been one of those institutions: a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) whose sanctuary is known for the sound of its organ and harpsichord, whose choir wears maroon and gold, and whose campus has, since 1977, doubled as a children's center serving neighborhood families from infancy through elementary school.
Members describe St. John's as a place shaped by three commitments - worship God, love one another, and serve the world - and those commitments show up everywhere from the children's church wing to the partnership with the Eddy House, an organization for homeless and at-risk youth in northern Nevada. It is also a place deeply rooted in the Presbyterian tradition of thoughtful faith, shared governance, and lifelong learning.
What Sunday Morning Sounds Like
Worship at St. John's is built around scripture, prayer, and the sacraments, with music doing a great deal of the heavy lifting. Visitors are greeted by the sound of a variety of instruments - organ, piano, and harpsichord - and a choir in maroon and gold robes whose repertoire spans centuries. Congregational hymn singing is paired with choral and instrumental offerings drawn from the depth of the church's heritage.
The service includes scripture readings, preaching that aims to apply ancient texts to real life, opportunities for prayer and self-reflection, and a passing of the peace that gets people up, standing, and moving from pew to pew. The liturgical feel is intentional. Music Director Susan Horst, who holds a master's degree in choral conducting from the University of Nevada, Reno, has built the program across decades of work with school, community, and symphonic ensembles, including fifteen years conducting the Truckee Community Chorus at Sierra College and ongoing service as Chorus Master for the Tahoe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus (TOCCATA).
At the organ, David Brock maintains an active recital schedule that has taken him from Washington National Cathedral and St. Mary's Cathedral in San Francisco to Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Reno. Each August since 1999 he has produced Hot August Pipes, a series of organ recitals in Northern Nevada. Brock is a founding member of TOCCATA and a signed artist with A. W. Tonegold Records, whose eighth CD, Reflections - Organ Concerti of 3 Centuries, captures much of the same repertoire that shapes St. John's musical identity.
Services are held Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and are livestreamed on the church's YouTube channel, so that members traveling, ill, or simply at home can worship alongside the gathered congregation.
Arriving as a Visitor
St. John's works hard to make first-time visitors feel at home. Parking on site is described as abundant, and the building is accessible. Dress is wide open - the church tells newcomers that clothes may be casual or formal - and the fellowship is described as warm and inviting.
The full communion table at St. John's is open. All who trust in Jesus Christ, or who desire to know him more fully, are welcome at Christ's table. The congregation baptizes both children and adults, and because Presbyterians believe God's promise is enduring, baptism is celebrated only once. Anyone interested in marking a life transition - baptism, wedding, or memorial service - is invited to make St. John's their church for that moment.
Those with questions about Presbyterian beliefs, worship, or membership are encouraged simply to ask. The congregation's own statement is that questions are welcome, and faith grows through study, conversation, prayer, and worship.
Children at the Center of Church Life
Children are woven into the rhythm of St. John's rather than separated from it. Each Sunday, children begin worship with the full congregation, sharing the liturgy alongside their church family. Partway through the service, they are invited to their own time of learning and fellowship just steps from the sanctuary.
In Children's Church, children explore Bible stories, learn to pray, and become familiar with the rhythms of the church year. Each lesson is interactive and hands on, using art, crafts, and music to bring the story to life. The program follows the Godly Play curriculum, a Montessori-based approach that treats even the youngest worshiper as a serious participant in the life of faith. Parents are always welcome to attend with their children.
Adult leaders with backgrounds in child development and education run the program, supported by assistants from a local childcare company that specializes in serving churches and other organizations with childcare needs. All are screened and trained.
Each summer, Vacation Bible School draws the church's youngest disciples deeper into the story. The most recent program used the Cokesbury Kids' curriculum called "Road Trip," with the key verse Joshua 1:9 teaching children that God is with them through thick and thin, wherever they go.
St. John's Children's Center: Nearly Five Decades of Care
The church's commitment to children extends well beyond Sunday morning. St. John's Children's Center, which began in September 1977 as a small program serving elementary students in the neighborhood, has grown into a full-day, licensed early-childhood program that serves families five days a week.
Today, the Children's Center offers a licensed preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds, a state-certified kindergarten, an infant and toddler program, and before- and after-school care for elementary-aged children. Full-day programs are also available during summer and school breaks. Families can follow the center on Facebook for updates.
Through this ministry, St. John's lives out its conviction that loving God and loving neighbor go hand in hand - in this case, caring for the youngest neighbors in a safe, nurturing environment just down the hall from the sanctuary.
Presbyterian Beliefs and Shared Leadership
St. John's is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), a tradition shaped by the conviction that the church should be governed by elected leaders rather than by a single individual. The word Presbyterian comes from a Greek word meaning "elder." Members of the congregation elect elders and deacons to serve on the church's behalf.
Elders guide the spiritual life and mission of the congregation. Deacons lead ministries of compassion, care, and service. Together they embody the Presbyterian belief that the church is strongest when many voices are heard, and that the gifts of every person are to be honored. Leadership in the church, members believe, is open to all.
Theologically, St. John's describes itself in thoroughly classical Reformed terms. Presbyterians are Christians who seek to follow Jesus Christ in every area of life. God is believed to have created the world in love; Jesus Christ reveals God's grace and truth; the Holy Spirit continues to guide and sustain the church. The Bible is treated as the unique and authoritative witness to God's work in the world and the primary guide for Christian faith and life, read thoughtfully, prayerfully, and in community. Questions are welcomed, and faith is understood to grow through study, conversation, prayer, and worship.
At the center of it all is grace. God's grace comes before anything humans do. God's love is not earned; it is offered freely in Jesus Christ, who invites people into a life of faith, hope, and love. Because of that grace, members are free to grow, learn, ask questions, and serve others without fear.
A Building Shared With the Wider Community
St. John's takes seriously the idea that a church building is a gift meant to be shared. Throughout the week, the campus welcomes a wide variety of groups: other faith communities, support and recovery groups, volunteer organizations, and musical ensembles. Some come for mutual support; others for education, service, fellowship, or worship. Together they contribute to the health and vitality of the wider Reno community.
One of the most consistent partnerships is with Reno's Cares Campus, where every month members of St. John's serve meals for residents. The ministry is described as more than food - it is an opportunity to extend Christ's welcome to some of the community's most vulnerable neighbors. Volunteers help with serving, setup, cleanup, and hospitality.
The congregation is also building a new relationship with Eddy House, an organization dedicated to supporting homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth in northern Nevada. Through volunteer service, special projects, collections, and financial support, St. John's is walking alongside Eddy House as it provides safety, resources, and pathways toward stability for young people facing significant challenges.
Members also support one another. Many provide meals, transportation, and practical assistance to individuals and families facing illness, recovery, grief, or other life challenges, with deacons and members alike working to ensure that no one faces life's trials alone.
Leadership
The Reverend Dr. Johanna McCune Wagner has served as Senior Pastor of St. John's Presbyterian Church. Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, she has served in both congregational ministry and independent school settings. Ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in 2007 after four years of service as a student pastor, she holds a bachelor's degree in Latin from Bryn Mawr College, a master's degree in Medieval Studies from Cornell (where she completed doctoral coursework and qualifying examinations), a Master of Divinity from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry in Christian Leadership from Duke Divinity School.
Elaine York serves the church as a Commissioned Ruling Elder and regularly leads worship throughout northern Nevada. A lifelong Presbyterian raised in Cincinnati, she has served as both deacon and elder and completed the Certificate in Ministry program at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 2020. She has served as moderator of the Presbytery of Nevada and continues to serve the presbytery and the congregation in several leadership roles, currently under care with the Presbytery of Nevada as she seeks ordination as a Minister of Word and Sacrament.
Susan Horst and David Brock round out the worship leadership team, with Susan directing the choir and David anchoring services at organ and harpsichord. In 2025, David Brock, together with virtuoso violinist and co-founder Alex Eisenberg, launched the Higher Elevation Music Foundation, dedicated to bringing great and rarely performed musical treasures, and occasional new compositions, to Northern Nevada audiences.
Joining the Life of St. John's
There are several ways to plug into St. John's life. The church livestreams services on YouTube and welcomes newcomers to worship in person at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. An email newsletter keeps members and friends informed of events and opportunities. Online giving is available through the church's secure donation page, and gifts of cash or check are welcomed during worship or by mail. Members can also connect with each other through the church's online directory, accessible on the web or via the Courtyard smartphone app.
For those looking to serve, options range from monthly meals at the Cares Campus to supporting collection drives for food, clothing, school supplies, hygiene items, and seasonal gifts, to partnering with Eddy House and other nonprofit organizations whose work the church underwrites throughout the year. Volunteers are encouraged to reach out to the church office to learn more.
St. John's Presbyterian Church sees itself as a church with a rich history and a hopeful future - committed to honoring the traditions that have shaped it while continuing to grow, welcome new people, and find new ways to live out its calling in Reno today. Whether someone is exploring faith for the first time, looking for a church home, or simply curious about Presbyterian beliefs, the doors on West Plumb Lane are open.