Heron Johnson: Difference between revisions

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(Deleting the reference to Herron being superintendent of the Ninth Episcopal District. I see no other reference to that and seems to confuse him with being an AME bishop. Like many Apostolic churches, this congregation is independent, or part of its own small network. What happened in 1986 is that he became pastor of this church and perhaps at that time be became bishop.)
 
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Johnson grew up in Arkansas.  He was drafted into the Army shortly after graduating high school and served in [[World War II]].  After three years in the service, he moved to Flint Michigan and worked for General Motors for 18 years.  He then decided to become a minister and evangelized throughout the Michigan, Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania areas.   
Johnson grew up in Arkansas.  He was drafted into the Army shortly after graduating high school and served in [[World War II]].  After three years in the service, he moved to Flint Michigan and worked for General Motors for 18 years.  He then decided to become a minister and evangelized throughout the Michigan, Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania areas.   


In [[1969]], Johnson was invited to conduct a revival in [[Birmingham]].  He subsequently moved his family to Birmingham to become pastor of Emmanuel Temple Holiness Church, which was renamed Faith Apostolic Church in [[1972]].  He went on to start churches in [[Alabaster]], Selma, Anniston, and [[Tuscaloosa]].  He also served on several ministerial advisory boards.  In [[1986]] he was made a bishop and became head of the [[Ninth Episcopal District]], which covers Alabama and portions of Florida and Mississippi.
In [[1969]], Johnson was invited to conduct a revival in [[Birmingham]].  He subsequently moved his family to Birmingham to become pastor of Emmanuel Temple Holiness Church, which was renamed Faith Apostolic Church in [[1972]].  He went on to start churches in [[Alabaster]], Selma, Anniston, and [[Tuscaloosa]].  He also served on several ministerial advisory boards.  In [[1986]] he became pastor of Faith Apostolic Church.


Johnson knew nothing about watercress darter when he was made aware of the fish after its discovery in the stream adjacent to the church in [[2001]], but he became a major advocate for the species and led clean up efforts along the creek.
Johnson knew nothing about watercress darter when he was made aware of the fish after its discovery in the stream adjacent to the church in [[2001]], but he became a major advocate for the species and led clean up efforts along the creek.
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== References ==
== References ==
* Garrison, Greg (April 17, 2010) "Powderly pastor helps preserve endangered fish" {{BN}}
* "The Renaming of Cleburn Avenue to Heron Johnson Drive" (January 22, 2015) {{BT}}
* Oliver-Miles, Zelda.  (n.d.)  "[http://www.faithapostolic-bham.org/meetThePastor.aspx Meet the Pastor]."  Faith Apostolic Church.  Accessed January 14, 2015.
* Oliver-Miles, Zelda.  (n.d.)  "[http://www.faithapostolic-bham.org/meetThePastor.aspx Meet the Pastor]."  Faith Apostolic Church.  Accessed January 14, 2015.
*  Garrison, Greg.  (January 9, 2015).  "[http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2015/01/modern-day_noah_94_helped_save.html 'Modern-day Noah,' 94, helped save rare fish, now has Cleburn Avenue named after him]."  {{BN}}.
*  Garrison, Greg.  (January 9, 2015).  "[http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2015/01/modern-day_noah_94_helped_save.html 'Modern-day Noah,' 94, helped save rare fish, now has Cleburn Avenue named after him]."  {{BN}}.

Latest revision as of 11:05, 20 January 2024

Bishop Heron Johnson (born April 1920 in El Dorado, Arkansas; died November 23, 2015) was the pastor of Faith Apostolic Church in Powderly. He served a major role in establishing the Seven Springs EcoScape along Nabors Branch on church property, which helps preserve the rare watercress darter.

Johnson grew up in Arkansas. He was drafted into the Army shortly after graduating high school and served in World War II. After three years in the service, he moved to Flint Michigan and worked for General Motors for 18 years. He then decided to become a minister and evangelized throughout the Michigan, Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania areas.

In 1969, Johnson was invited to conduct a revival in Birmingham. He subsequently moved his family to Birmingham to become pastor of Emmanuel Temple Holiness Church, which was renamed Faith Apostolic Church in 1972. He went on to start churches in Alabaster, Selma, Anniston, and Tuscaloosa. He also served on several ministerial advisory boards. In 1986 he became pastor of Faith Apostolic Church.

Johnson knew nothing about watercress darter when he was made aware of the fish after its discovery in the stream adjacent to the church in 2001, but he became a major advocate for the species and led clean up efforts along the creek.

To honor Johnson for his efforts in both community leadership and protecting the darter, the City of Birmingham renamed the former Cleburn Avenue, the residential street both the church and EcoScape are on, as Heron Johnson Drive in a ceremony on January 11, 2015.

Johnson was married to Dr. Zholia Johnson, who died after 60 years of marriage. Together, they had five daughters and a son.

Watercress darter (Etheostoma nuchale)
Habitats Glenn Springs · Nabors Branch · Roebuck Spring · Tapawingo Springs · Thomas Spring · Turkey Creek
Preserves Seven Springs Ecoscape · Turkey Creek Nature Preserve · Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge
People R. D. Caldwell (co-discoverer) · Larry Davenport · Mike Howell (co-discoverer) · Heron Johnson

References