The Saint John Coltrane African Orthodox Church is a musical-religious shrine of another bent. Unlike the Elvis-worshippers, this church is not a joke. They are charter members of the African Orthodox Church, and the deceased jazz saxophonist is their patron saint. The San Francisco organization dedicates itself to the worship of God as inspired by the 1964 spiritual awakening of the talented Mr. Coltrane. On the site, you can buy postcard reproductions of ornate John Coltrane icons displayed in the church. Also unlike the Elvis folks, no one at the church claims that John Coltrane is actually Jesus. Hey, at least he's got the right initials.
IT IS A SCENE OUT OF ANY NUMBER OF JAZZ JOINTS THROUGHOUT THIS CITY BUT THIS PARTICULAR BOITE HAPPENS TO BE ST JOHN'S AFRICAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OR AS IT IS KNOWN TO A GROWING CIRCLE OF PARISHIONERS AND FANS THE CHURCH OF ST JOHN COLTRANE...
FOLKS HERE DON'T JUST REVERE THE PIONEERING SAXOPHONIST WHOM ONE CRITIC
DUBBED THE JAZZ MESSIAH THEY HAVE DECLARED MR COLTRANE A SAINT WE CALL HIM THE DIVINE SOUND BAPTIST' SAYS BISHOP FRANZO KING A FORMER HAIRDRESSER WHO FOUNDED THE CHURCH...