About Saint John the Evangelist · Goshen, Indiana
Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Goshen, Indiana, part of the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend and the third-oldest parish in that diocese. The parish is a bilingual, multi-lingual community offering Mass in both English and Spanish, with a full week of daily Masses, a robust schedule of confessions, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, a parish school (PreK–6), and more than two dozen ministries ranging from OCIA (formerly RCIA) to youth ministry, Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, choir, altar servers, and pro-life work. Its mission statement emphasizes growing as disciples of Jesus Christ, proclaiming the Word, celebrating the sacraments (especially the Eucharist), and serving others through stewardship and Catholic social justice.
- Established
- 1860
- Patron
- Saint John the Evangelist
- Rector
- Fr. Brian Florin
- Diocese
- Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend
Why belong here
Saint John the Evangelist welcomes everyone into a diverse, bilingual Catholic family that lives out its faith through word, sacrament, and service. Worship is offered in English and Spanish seven days a week, with weekday Masses Tuesday through Friday, two Sunday morning Masses in English plus Spanish Masses, and a Saturday Vigil. Parishioners grow through parish-based faith formation for all ages, Religious Education for children, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), youth and young adult groups, and active ministry life — including Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, Moms' Group, Kingdom Builders women's group, Fratres in Christo men's group, and a vibrant school serving Preschool through 6th grade. Whether you are searching, returning, or rooted in the faith, St. John's offers a clear path to grow as a disciple of Christ in the heart of Goshen.
Mass times at Saint John the Evangelist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 7:30am – 7:50am
- Tuesday: 6:30pm (after the 6:00pm Mass)
- Wednesday: 7:30am – 7:50am
- Wednesday: 6:30pm (after the 6:00pm Mass)
- Thursday: 7:30am – 7:50am
- Thursday: 6:30pm (after the 6:00pm Mass)
- Friday: 7:30am – 7:50am
- Friday: 6:30pm (after the 6:00pm Mass)
- Saturday: 9:00am – 9:30am
Adoration times
- Thursday: 6:30pm – 7:30pm
- First Friday of the month: 9:00am – 5:30pm
- First Saturday (overnight vigil) — contact parish office for details
Parish History
Goshen's Catholic roots reach back to 1840, when the town was served as a mission of St. Augustine's Church in Fort Wayne and Mass was offered in the old courthouse and in private homes. In 1860, construction of the first church marked the formal founding of St. John Parish — the third-oldest parish in what is now the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend. The original nave built by the founding families is still standing and still in use today. In 1948, Father Miller led an improvement program that gave the church a new limestone Gothic front, and on June 23, 1970, the 110-year-old structure was demolished to make way for today's colonial-style church, with its iconic restored steeple once again gracing the parish skyline. Today the parish grounds encompass eleven properties, each marking a chapter of growth.
- 1840 — Goshen established as a mission of St. Augustine's, Fort Wayne
- 1860 — Construction of the first church; St. John Parish formally begins (third-oldest in the diocese)
- c. 1900 — Original tall steeple struck by lightning; replaced by the present belfry
- 1868 — First parochial school established, staffed by lay teachers
- 1881 — Second school building erected at Third and Monroe Streets
- 1948 — Father Miller leads renovation; church receives new limestone Gothic front
- June 23, 1970 — Demolition of the 110-year-old church; new colonial-style church built
- Today — Parish grounds encompass eleven properties
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is served by a pastor, a parochial vicar, two deacons, and a dedicated lay staff committed to supporting the spiritual and pastoral life of the community. Staff members cover business operations, faith formation, religious education, sacred music, technology, and pastoral mission integration.
- Fr. Brian Florin — Pastor (ext. 1221; [email protected])
- Fr. Evaristo Olivera — Parochial Vicar ([email protected])
- Rev. Mr. Christian Nieves — Deacon
- Rev. Mr. Giovani Muñoz — Deacon
- Cindy Wiederman — Business Manager (ext. 1214)
- Johnny Evangelista — Director of Religious Education (ext. 1216)
- Lucia Ordoñez — Co-Director of Sacred Music
- Christian Cortés — Technology Director (ext. 1213)
- Pastoral Associate of Ministry and Faith Formation
- Pastoral Associate of Mission Integration
- Apostolate Support Coordinator / Administrative Assistant
Faith Formation
Faith Formation at St. John's is presented as a lifelong journey — 'more than learning,' focused on deepening faith, embracing the sacraments, and developing the knowledge, skills, and virtues needed to live a Christian life. The parish offers formation opportunities for children, youth, adults, and families, anchored in Matthew 28:19: 'Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.'
- Children's faith formation (Religious Education, beginning in 1st grade)
- Youth faith formation — The Ark (middle school and high school)
- Young Adult Group (through age 39)
- Adult faith formation and OCIA classes
Religious Education for Children
Forming young people in the Faith is described as one of the most important tasks entrusted to the parish. The Religious Education team partners with parents — the 'primary protagonist' of their child's religious formation — to help families fulfill their vocation to evangelize their children. Children may be registered starting in 1st Grade, where they begin basic catechesis and preparation for First Communion and Reconciliation, typically receiving those sacraments after two years of preparation. The handbook and Christian Service Hours form are available through the parish.
- Registration begins in 1st Grade
- Two years of preparation before receiving First Communion and Reconciliation
- Religious Education Handbook required review before registration
- Christian Service Hours form available online
- Contact: Johnny Evangelista, Director of Religious Education — [email protected], ext. 1216
OCIA — Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
OCIA (formerly known as RCIA) is the parish's process for adults preparing to enter or deepen their life in the Catholic Church. Classes meet weekly during the school year and cover the beliefs of the Catholic faith. All are welcome to attend — even those simply curious about the faith are invited to 'sit in.'
- Weekly class during the school year
- Open to all — sit in even if not preparing for initiation
- Covers Catholic beliefs and sacramental preparation
Ministries and Parish Life
Parishioners at St. John's can become involved through more than two dozen ministries organized under the parish's Ministries page, which lists four categories: School, Prayer, Faith Formation/Fellowship, and Liturgical/Parish Service. These groups welcome new members and serve as the backbone of parish community life.
- First Friday Adoration — sign up for one-hour slots to adore the Blessed Sacrament
- Holy Hour Prayer Team — one hour weekly for parish-submitted intentions
- Intercessory Prayer Team — at least 15 minutes weekly for pastoral needs
- Prayer Chain — prayers for immediate and urgent needs
- Fratres in Christo — men's group meeting twice monthly
- Knights of Columbus — men's group meeting monthly
- Kingdom Builders — women's group meeting fourth Tuesday of the month (Adoration + faith formation, optional small faith-sharing)
- Moms' Group — twice monthly for fellowship and ideas for living the faith at home
- Pancakes and Parenting — once monthly January through April
Liturgical and Service Ministries
Beyond prayer and fellowship groups, the parish offers a wide range of hands-on ministries — from those who serve at the altar during Mass to those who support fellow parishioners during times of illness, grief, or new parenthood. These ministries are essential to parish life and welcome volunteers of all ages and abilities.
- Altar Servers — boys and girls grade 3 and up (must have received First Communion)
- Proclaimers of the Word (Lectors) — proclaim the First and Second Readings and the Petitions at Mass
- Sacristans — prepare and clean the altar
- Ushers — assist with seating and collections
- Church Decorating — decorates for liturgical seasons
- Flowers and Grounds — beautifies parish grounds
- Friend to Friend — mails greetings to homebound parishioners
- Funeral Dinners — provides comforting meals after funerals
- Soul Food — cooks meals for parishioners recovering from births, surgeries, etc.
- Parish Library — free lending library of spiritual books
- Welcoming Committee — welcomes newly-registered parishioners and plans social events
St. Vincent de Paul and Outreach
The parish hosts a St. Vincent de Paul Conference, which operates entirely through volunteers and serves neighbors in need throughout the Goshen area. The conference runs a Food Pantry and offers direct financial assistance to those in crisis, alongside seasonal projects such as Thanksgiving baskets. The Conference meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at 1:00pm in the Fireside Room.
- St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
- Direct financial assistance for those in need
- Thanksgiving baskets and other seasonal projects
- Volunteer roles: food pickup, pantry work, bookkeeping, technology, translation (Spanish/Russian)
- Conference meets 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 1:00pm, Fireside Room
Pro-Life and Walking with Moms in Need
The parish Pro-Life Group raises funds to support local ministries that promote life and organizes monthly prayer chains. Walking with Moms in Need helps direct pregnant and parenting moms in need to local resources, reflecting the parish's commitment to Catholic social justice and the dignity of every human life.
- Pro-Life Group — fundraising and monthly prayer chains
- Walking with Moms in Need — connecting pregnant and parenting moms to local resources
St. John the Evangelist Catholic School
St. John Catholic School has served the parish and community for more than 150 years, having opened in 1868 as the parish's first parochial school. Today it enrolls more than 160 students in Preschool through 6th grade, offering a traditional Catholic education in math, reading, science, social studies, and religion. The school is accredited by Lumen Accreditation through the Institute for the Transformation of Catholic Education (ITCE). The current principal is Virginia Muñoz.
- Founded in 1868 — 150+ years of Catholic education in Goshen
- Preschool through 6th grade
- Enrollment of approximately 160–165 students
- Accredited by Lumen Accreditation / ITCE
- Principal: Virginia Muñoz
- Phone: 574-533-9480
- Address: 117 West Monroe Street, Goshen, Indiana 46526
- Visitor entrance: Door #3 (gym door) between the church and school building
Sacraments
Information about celebrating the sacraments at St. John's is found on the parish website. The Confessions page offers detailed Examination of Conscience guides, while Religious Education handles preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion. Teens preparing for Confirmation are served through the youth ministry pathway, and adults enter the Church or complete their initiation through OCIA. Families seeking Baptism, couples preparing for Marriage, and parishioners needing Anointing of the Sick are invited to contact the parish office directly.
- Confession / Reconciliation — weekday and Saturday schedule (see above)
- First Communion / First Reconciliation — preparation begins in 1st Grade Religious Education
- Confirmation — preparation through Religious Education and youth ministry
- OCIA — adult initiation and formation
- Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick — contact parish office
Visit, Connect, and Contact
Newcomers and visitors are warmly welcomed at St. John the Evangelist. The parish Connect page links visitors with ways to register, get involved in ministry, and stay in touch. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:00pm, and the staff can be reached by phone at 574-533-3385 or by email at [email protected]. The parish mailing address is 422 S. Main St., Goshen, IN 46526.
- Office: Monday–Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm
- Phone: 574-533-3385
- Email: [email protected]
- Mailing Address: 422 S. Main St., Goshen, IN 46526
- Worship Address: 417 South Main Street, Goshen, Indiana 46526
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Miller1948 (leadership)
Led the improvement program that gave the church a new limestone front in Gothic styling.