However, by the late 2010s, Ansonborough and the Charleston Peninsula had been substantially gentrified, with most of St. John's black parishioners commuting from West Ashley.

[2] Ronald Satterfield, who was pastor of St. John's from 2000 to 2012, was convicted and sentenced to 18 months in prison for bank fraud after forging the church secretary's name to acquire a $250,000 bank loan and running what federal authorities called a $3.3 million Ponzi scheme that lost church members' money.

He welcomed visiting college gospel choirs to sing in St. John's sanctuary and added a midday Bible study for elderly members who cannot travel to evening events.

[4] The 1880s renovation of the church added transepts, a Gothic frame ceiling and 14 stained glass windows.

According to the Historic Charleston Foundation, "the St. John's congregation has retained most of the structure's interior features, including stenciled decoration and gilded Gothic elements.