On Monday, May 20, the parish of St. John of Shanghai & San Francisco, Wonderworker of America, formerly Holy Protection Mission, completed the purchase of land in Lewisburg, PA, which will be the home of its new church. The land comprises four acres just outside of Lewisburg proper, and includes a cemetery. The closing was held at the office of the seller, Doctor Paul Lin. In attendance at the closing were Archpriest Serge Lukianov (on behalf of the Eastern American Diocese), parish rector Archpriest Claude Vinyard, and parish clerics Deacon George Sharonoff and Reader Alfred Kentigern Siewers.

The land was purchased jointly by the Diocese and the combined efforts of parishioners and benefactors of St. John’s. After the closure of Holy Trinity Church in California, PA in June 2016, the Diocesan Council resolved to commit $15,000 from the former parish’s funds to assist in ongoing missionary activity.

Afterward the closing, the clergy drove out to view the new land and cemetery.