He was first passed over at the age of 32, when the electors deadlocked upon the successor to Bishop Kemp, who died unexpectedly young in 1827, and which prompted Johns to accept the rectorship at (later demolished) Christ Church, Baltimore, nearer the high church candidate Dr. William E. Wyatt of Baltimore's St. Paul's Church. However the next year Rev. Johns lost to compromise candidate Rev.
He was initially overlooked at 32 when the electors were unable to agree on Bishop Kemp's successor, who died prematurely in 1827, leading Johns to take up the rectorship at Christ Church, Baltimore, closer to Dr. William E. Wyatt of St. Paul's Church in Baltimore. The following year Rev. Johns was defeated by a compromise candidate.