About Saint John the Baptist · Fort Wayne, Indiana
St. John the Baptist is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, nestled in the historic Southwood Park neighborhood of Fort Wayne's 46807 zip code. Often described as a true 'neighborhood parish,' its members walk to Sunday Mass, students ride bikes to the parish school, and during Advent the community goes caroling through the surrounding streets. The parish is served by a pastor and parochial vicar, maintains its own parish school (preschool through grade 8), and offers a robust schedule of daily and weekend Masses, Reconciliation, and Eucharistic Adoration in both the main church and Guerin Chapel.
- Patron
- St. John the Baptist
- Rector
- Fr. Paolo Degasperi
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend
Why belong here
St. John the Baptist offers the rhythm of a tight-knit Catholic neighborhood: multiple daily Masses (including a 5:45 PM Monday Mass celebrated in Latin), six days of confessions, and expansive Eucharistic Adoration in the Guerin Chapel. A parish school, LifeTeen high school fellowship, Scouts, the Bishop John D'Arcy Council Knights of Columbus, an Iron Sharpens Iron men's group, and the JOY (Just Older Youth) seniors group give every age and stage a place to belong.
Mass times at Saint John the Baptist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM
- Tuesday: 5:15 PM – 5:45 PM
- Wednesday: 5:15 PM – 5:45 PM
- Thursday: 5:15 PM – 5:45 PM
- Friday: 5:15 PM – 5:40 PM
- Saturday: 3:30 PM – 4:15 PM
- All confessions are heard in the confessionals along the north side of the church.
Adoration times
- Guerin Chapel (4501 Arlington Avenue) is open 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM daily
- Adoration in Guerin Chapel: Monday 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Adoration in Guerin Chapel: Tuesday 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Adoration in Guerin Chapel: Wednesday 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Parish is seeking more committed Adorers and subs; contact Anne Therese at the parish email.
About St. John the Baptist Parish
Nestled in the historic Southwood Park neighborhood of the '07 zip code, St. John the Baptist is a true neighborhood parish in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. The parish describes itself as a growing community where young families are moving into their first homes alongside families who have lived in the neighborhood for generations. Parishioner-owned restaurants like The Friendly Fox and Antonuccio's Italian Market sit just blocks from the church, and Advent brings caroling through the neighborhood streets.
- Neighborhood parish in Southwood Park, Fort Wayne 46807
- Part of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend
- Growing parish with multi-generational families
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is served by a pastor and parochial vicar, with a robust lay staff supporting parish operations, faith formation, the school, music, and facilities.
- Fr. Paolo Degasperi — Pastor
- Fr. Theodore Ekwem — Parochial Vicar
- Rhonda Noll — Business Manager
- Tom Saul — Director of Sacred Music
- Anne Therese Stephens — Guerin Chapel Coordinator
- Tucker Rouch — Becoming Catholic Coordinator
- Julia Mead — Pastoral Secretary
- Ivan Miranda — Pastoral Associate / Youth Minister
- Pat Couch — Director of Faith Formation
- Maggie Javins — Principal
- Jeanne Hohenstein — School Secretary
- Stuart Oberley — Head of Maintenance
Parish School (Preschool – Grade 8)
The parish operates St. John the Baptist School at 4500 Fairfield Avenue, enrolling roughly 287–350 students across preschool 3-4 through grade 8. Students commonly ride their bikes to school from the surrounding neighborhood, and the school is a member of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). The school phone is 260-456-3321.
- Principal: Maggie Javins
- School Secretary: Jeanne Hohenstein
- Grades: Preschool 3-4, K-8
- Member of NCEA
- Students ride bikes to school from the neighborhood
Faith Formation & Becoming Catholic
The parish runs both youth faith formation (preparing 8th graders for Confirmation and beyond) and a 'Becoming Catholic' process for adults seeking Baptism, Communion, or full communion with the Catholic Church.
- Director of Faith Formation: Pat Couch
- Becoming Catholic Coordinator: Tucker Rouch
- Adult Confirmation formation: contact Anne Therese Stephens
- Youth Confirmation for 8th graders not in Catholic grade school: contact Pat Couch
- Confirmation is one of the Sacraments of Initiation, often received around age 12-14 or at Easter Vigil for adults
Fellowships & Groups
Parish fellowships span every age and stage of life — from high school LifeTeen to senior JOY outings — and include the parish's affiliated Knights of Columbus council and a men's Iron Sharpens Iron fraternal gathering.
- LifeTeen (High School) — Sundays 6:00–7:30 PM in Providence House; text SJBLIFETEEN to 84576 for alerts
- Knights of Columbus — Bishop John D'Arcy Council #16396, 3rd Tuesday 6–7 PM in Providence House; contact Mike Shank
- Iron Sharpens Iron (Men 18+) — every other Thursday 7:00 AM in Providence House, with optional 6:30 AM Mass in Guerin Chapel beforehand
- JOY (Just Older Youth — seniors) — roughly monthly off-campus outings; contact Becky Kelker
- Scouts — Troop 519 (girls, Theresa Dirig), Troop 19 (boys, Frank Serrani), Troop 3019 (cubs, Jon Yankowiak)
Contact & Visiting
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office during the week at 4525 Arlington Avenue, with limited Friday hours. The main church stands at 4500 Fairfield Avenue. Guerin Chapel, where daily Mass and Adoration are offered, is at 4501 Arlington Avenue.
- Parish Office: 4525 Arlington Avenue, Fort Wayne, IN 46807
- Phone: 260-744-4393
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Tue–Thu 9 AM–3 PM, Fri 9 AM–1 PM; closed Mondays and holidays
- Guerin Chapel: 4501 Arlington Avenue (open 7 AM–9 PM daily)