First opened for service in September 1862, the distinctive Muree sandstone building remains in use today, in addition to a number of supplementary buildings that have been added to the Sturgeon Street property since the 1970s.

Parish rector for the past five years, Fr Steve Niland, said that the history of Anglican worship in Raymond Terrace actually extended 183 years.

"The first public church service was in fact held at the original Junction Inn in 1839 in an old rectory in Glenelg Street," he said.

"The plans for St John church were designed by Edmund Blacket and the original building was built from sandstone sourced from the nearby Muree quarry.

"The church was consecrated on November 25, 1862, and the pipe organ was installed the same year. the bell tower was installed in 1882."

The old rectory was sold by St John in 2012 and is now owned by Raymond Terrace Bowling Club.

Fr Niland said that the church committee had planned at least one major event in each month from May to November 2022 to celebrated its milestone year, which started with a service last Sunday, May 8, commemorating St John's Day [patron saint] with eucharist plus a bacon and egg brunch.

"For the month of June we have a combined men's group and mothers union dinner to be held on June 28 at 6pm, followed the following month on July 24 at 4pm with a Hymnfest including a soup and damper dinner," he said.

"A high tea at the parish ministry centre will take place on August 27 from 11am and on September 25 at 9am the official 160th anniversary eucharist service will be followed by morning tea at the parish ministry centre and lunch at Raymond Terrace Bowling Club from 12 noon.

"A trivia night will take place on October 25 from 6.30pm, and celebrations would conclude on November 20 from 4pm with a Mass at the Junction Inn to commemorate the 183 years of Anglican worship in Raymond Terrace."

Fr Niland said that the lockdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic had changed the way church services are delivered.

"Since March 2020 we have been live streaming all our morning and evening services as well as prayer meetings through our Facebook page," he said.

He said that the church remained as relevant today as it ever has been and called on congregations to refocus their attention on their faith.

"The church has been impacted by some bad press [royal commission]... and people need to rebuild their relationship with Jesus. The focus has got to be taken away from the individual and there are a myriad of methods we can call on to enhance our relationship with God: prayer and study are just two."

He said he understood that younger people needed to be entertained.

"We have to learn to blend the teachings of the Christian faith by making services more fun whilst remaining authentic in our relationship with God."

Fr Niland said that the first addition to the 160-year old building was the chapel, kitchen and toilets area in 1975, followed in 2001 with the parish ministry centre featuring library/meeting and store rooms.

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