One of the oldest churches in the mountains, St. John in the Wilderness in Flat
Rock, will soon share its wooded acreage with hikers and nature lovers. The church will open a new trail
system called The Trails of St. John the weekend of September 6 -7 at 1895 Greenville Highway,
approximately two miles south of downtown Hendersonville.
All are invited to celebrate this special event. The ribbon cutting for the Grand Opening of The Trails of
St. John will take place Sunday, September 7, at 1:00 p.m. Members of Holy Hikes WNC are expected
to attend as the national chapter salutes five years of monthly hikes across North and South Carolina
mountain trails.
The expansive wooded setting in the heart of Flat Rock recently revealed long hidden historical and
archeological secrets. The new trails meander along the west side of Greenville Highway intersecting the
nearly disappeared “Old Jerusalem Path” which connected the parsonage with the church in the 1800s.
These discoveries and the proximity to nearby Carl Sandburg National Historic Site suggested a ripe
opportunity for a new trail system featuring the “New Jerusalem Path” at the Trails of St. John, now
available to church and community members for recreation and contemplation. Reverend Joshua
Stephens, church Rector, prays that “our community will find inspiration as well as rest and renewal here
on this holy ground.”
Long before the railroad opened up Western North Carolina, Charlestonians endured a week-long
carriage ride on rough dirt roads to escape the heat and disease of low country summers. They made Flat
Rock their “Little Charleston of the Mountains” each May through September. In 1827, Charles and
Susan Baring built their summer home and a chapel which became St. John in the Wilderness, the first
Episcopal church in WNC, now on the National Register of Historic Sites. The church witnessed the
tribulations of slavery and Civil War as well as the joys and sorrows of the last two centuries while
growing and serving Flat Rock and the larger community.
The Trails of St. John will be open to the public from dawn to dusk each day with information posted at
kiosks on the property. Special events highlight the opening weekend. A children’s mountain bike race
will be held Saturday, September 6 from 8:00 am – 1:00 pm. To register, visit
www.stjohnflatrock.org/sjw-mtb. After the 11:00 am church service on Sunday, refreshments will be
served at 12:30 pm before the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1:00 pm.
For more information, visit the website: www.stjohnflatrock.org/trails.