ABOUT US
OUR
HISTORY
The St. John Church of the Apostolic Faith began in the early years of the 1940s when saints of God living in the South migrated to the North and desired to continue in worship together. At an organizational meeting on August 18, 1952, it was decided that the church should be incorporated under the laws of the State of New Jersey for the purpose of public worship. It was also decided that the corporate name would be “The Saint John Church of the Apostolic Faith.” At that time, the church was under the leadership of its chief minister, Elder Thiearchy Lee.
From 1955 to 1958, St. John’s membership continued to fast, pray, and fellowship under the leadership of Pastor Lee. However, in 1958, Pastor Lee resigned as pastor of the church… Thus, Elder Carlyle Tarte became pastor of the St. John Apostolic Church in May of 1958.
Both the Tarte family and the St. John ministry grew under the Elder’s leadership. It became increasingly apparent that both Elder Tarte and his wife, Sister Mary Jane Tarte had been anointed and appointed to the Kingdom for such a time as this. Elder Tarte was known to be a prophetic dreamer of dreams. In addition to a profound teaching and preaching unction, sign and wonders followed this ministry. In 1969, the Lord raised Sister Tarte up to declare the gospel and placed upon her life a prophetic mandate. Through their work, multitudes were saved, delivered, and set free.
In August 1979, the St. John Church moved from 283 Kaighn Avenue to its present location, 220 North 27th Street in East Camden, New Jersey. Carlyle, his wife, and the St. John Church spent many precious years of fellowship with the late Bishop Raymond F. Davis, Sr. and the Greater Highway Churches of Christ Association. Within this affiliation, Carlyle was consecrated to the office of Bishop.
In later years, Carlyle, Mary, and the St. John Family became a part of the Born Again Church of Jesus Christ, under the auspices of the late Bishop John W. Barber, the Chief Apostle and Senior Bishop. Here, Bishop Tarte distinguished himself as an invaluable voice of wisdom and counsel. Sister Tarte, now known as Mother Tarte, also advanced in her calling and gifting, in unprecedented anointing and power. She became the National Mother of the Born Again Church. Mother Tarte was called home to be with the Lord on June 1, 1996. And on January 14, 1998, Bishop Tarte reached his heavenly destination as well…
The mantle was passed, and Arnetha Thompson, the daughter of Bishop and Mother Tarte, was installed as Pastor. She appointed her brother, Elder Samuel Tarte, to serve as her Co-Pastor; they were installed to these sacred offices on Saturday, July 19, 1998.
Bishop John W. Barber passed away in January of 2000. Shortly thereafter, Pastor Thompson prayerfully departed from the Born Again Church of Jesus Christ and led the church into affiliation with the newly formed Christian Covenant Fellowship of Ministries (CCFM), under the leadership of Bishop Michael Blue. Pastor Thompson was used of God to usher in a spiritual and natural renaissance of the St. John Church during her tenure as Pastor, bringing the church to a thriving, flourishing stage of existence. Co-Pastor Samuel Tarte passed away, and eventually, after nearly seventeen years of leading the ministry, Pastor Thompson became ill and departed this life on July 15, 2015.
Pastor Thompson had appointed Elder Bert Wright, Jr., a son of the church, to be Co-Pastor of the St. John Church, and that at her departure he would become the Pastor. This was carried out according to her instructions. Pastor Wright was installed, and he and his wife, Lady Danielle Wright, served the St. John Church for five years. He shepherded the Church through the first one and a half (1 ½) years of the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic. Afterward, the Wrights became the founding pastors of The Restoration Place.
Following the Wrights, the responsibility fell to Bishop Michael and Pastor Malinda Blue to become the pastoral leaders of St. John. Pastor Malinda is the youngest child of Bishop & Mother Tarte, and Bishop Blue has been closely affiliated with, and ministering to, St. John – officially – since January of 1983. They have served the church since October 2021.
BISHOP CARLYLE TARTE AND MOTHER MARY TARTE
PASTOR ARNETHA THOMPSON
BISHOP MICHAEL AND PASTOR MALINDA BLUE
We are a historic, yet contemporary, community of faith interwoven within the greater Camden, NJ region. Devoted to the teaching, preaching, and modeling of The Gospel of the Kingdom of God, we aspire to mold Christ-like leaders who transform our world!