Saint John Coltrane Church runs sound baptisms

Archbishop Franzo W. King has led the Saint John Coltrane Church in San Francisco for nearly sixty years, conducting “sound baptisms” that blend music and spirituality. On July 17, the church will commemorate John Coltrane's ascension with a special event at Grace Cathedral, featuring 20 musicians, poets, and priests. King and his wife were inspired by Coltrane's performance in 1965, prompting them to create a space for jazz and spirituality that evolved from the “Yardbird Club” to its current form. They view jazz as intertwined with political and religious awakening, emphasizing its role in civil rights movements.

The church's Sunday services allow participants to engage with music, often leading to a vibrant exchange of ideas among diverse congregants. Members of the congregation come from various religious backgrounds, with many identifying as agnostics, yet they unite under the principle of love. King asserts that acceptance of love as a universal principle makes the church open to all seekers of truth. This unique blend of jazz and spirituality continues to resonate within the community, reflecting San Francisco's rich cultural heritage.