About St. John Bosco · Saint Louis, Missouri
St. John Bosco was a Catholic parish in the Maryland Heights / Creve Coeur area of West St. Louis County, Missouri, in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Founded in 1972 by Father Donald J. Hoffman and named for the patron saint of young people, the parish served Catholics in West St. Louis County for 51 years and was widely known for its World Famous Fish Fry. On August 1, 2023, as part of the Archdiocese's sweeping 'All Things New' restructuring announced by Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski, St. John Bosco was canonically closed and its territory was merged into nearby St. Monica Parish in Creve Coeur (stmonicastl.org). The parish was also distinguished by hosting the Archdiocese's weekly Deaf Ministry Mass, celebrated in American Sign Language.
- Established
- 1972
- Patron
- St. John Bosco (Don Bosco), patron saint of young people
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of St. Louis
Why belong here
Former St. John Bosco parishioners and visitors are welcomed into the merged St. Monica Parish community in Creve Coeur (stmonicastl.org), where they continue to celebrate the sacraments, participate in faith formation, and carry on the St. John Bosco legacy. The community was known for its warm, family atmosphere and famous Lenten Fish Fry, and remains distinguished by hosting the Archdiocese's weekly Deaf Ministry Mass in ASL each Sunday.
Mass times at St. John Bosco
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–3:30 PM (St. John Bosco church)
- Saturday 3:45 PM–4:30 PM (per directory listing)
Overview: A Parish That Closed in 2023
St. John Bosco Parish, located at 12934 Marine Ave. in the Maryland Heights / Creve Coeur area of West St. Louis County, was a Catholic community in the Archdiocese of St. Louis from 1972 until its canonical closure on August 1, 2023. The parish was subsumed into the neighboring St. Monica Parish in Creve Coeur (stmonicastl.org) as part of Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski's sweeping 'All Things New' reorganization. Former St. John Bosco parishioners did not need to re-register, and all sacramental records, contribution statements, and online giving profiles were transferred to St. Monica.
- Closed August 1, 2023
- Subsumed into St. Monica Parish, Creve Coeur
- All Things New restructuring — only parish west of I-270 in St. Louis County on the closure list
Founding and Early History
The Archdiocese of St. Louis established St. John Bosco Parish in May 1972 to serve Catholics in newly-developed parts of Maryland Heights and unincorporated West St. Louis County. The founding pastor, Father Donald J. Hoffman, was ordained in 1954 and had served as associate pastor of St. Dominic Savio in Affton (1967–1972). Hoping to draw young families and young single adults, Father Hoffman named the parish for St. John Bosco, patron saint of young people.
- Founded May 1972
- Founding pastor: Rev. Donald J. Hoffman (served 1972–1987)
- Name chosen for patron of young people
Closure Under 'All Things New'
On May 27, 2023, Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski announced the 'All Things New' pastoral plan — the largest reconfiguration of parishes in Archdiocese of St. Louis history — which closed 34 parishes and one mission, reassigned 155 priests, and reduced the number of parishes from 178 to 135. St. John Bosco in Maryland Heights was canonically closed and merged into St. Monica Parish in Creve Coeur. After an appeal window, the decree took effect August 1, 2023.
- 34 parishes and one mission closed
- 155 priests reassigned
- St. John Bosco merged into St. Monica (Creve Coeur)
- Archbishop: Mitchell Rozanski
Transition to St. Monica Parish
Following closure, the St. Monica Parish Office (314-434-4211) sent instructions to all former St. John Bosco parishioners explaining that their records had been automatically transferred under the subsummation process. Online givers were asked to log in and switch their contributions from 'St. John Bosco' to 'St. Monica,' then delete the old profile. Those giving through financial advisors were advised to update the recipient and contact St. Monica's office for the Tax ID. 2023 contribution statements for former members were made available on request by contacting [email protected] or the parish office.
- Automatic record transfer — no re-registration required
- Online giving switched from St. John Bosco to St. Monica
- Tax ID and contribution questions: St. Monica Parish Office, 314-434-4211 Ext. 333 (Ania Barringer)
- 2023 statements: [email protected]
Clergy and Pastoral Leadership
St. John Bosco was led by a team of priests and a permanent deacon across its 51-year history. Father Donald J. Hoffman was its founding pastor and led the parish for fifteen years (1972–1987). Successor pastors included Father Gary Faust. In its later years the parish was served by Rev. Gerard R. Welsch and Rev. William J. Kester, with Rev. Mr. Paul D. Craska serving as Permanent Deacon.
- Rev. Donald J. Hoffman — founding pastor (1972–1987)
- Father Gary Faust — later pastor
- Rev. Gerard R. Welsch
- Rev. William J. Kester
- Rev. Mr. Paul D. Craska — Permanent Deacon
Deaf Ministry (ASL Mass)
St. John Bosco was the home parish of the Archdiocese of St. Louis Deaf Ministry, hosting a weekly Sunday Mass celebrated in American Sign Language at 10:30 a.m. This Mass served the Catholic deaf community across the wider St. Louis region and was a hallmark ministry of the parish.
- Sunday 10:30 AM — ASL-signed Mass
- Archdiocese-wide Deaf Ministry gathering
Community Life and the 'World Famous Fish Fry'
St. John Bosco was best known in the wider community for its annual Lenten Fish Fry, repeatedly described in local reviews as 'World Famous.' The parish campus — built around its church and a gymnasium used for parish sports and activities — was a hub for neighborhood fellowship even though it had no parish elementary school attached to the church itself.
- Lenten Fish Fry (locally famous)
- On-site gymnasium used for parish sports and activities
- No parish elementary school (school building later reused by Chesterton Academy)
The Former School Building and Chesterton Academy
After the parish's closure, the former St. John Bosco school building was repurposed. In fall 2023, the Chesterton Academy of St. Louis — a classical high school in the Catholic tradition and part of the national Chesterton Schools Network — opened in the building, raising $68,800 through #iGiveCatholic in its first year.
- Chesterton Academy of St. Louis opened fall 2023
- Part of the Chesterton Schools Network
- Located in the former St. John Bosco school building
Planning Area 7 (Archdiocese)
Under the Archdiocese of St. Louis's 'All Things New' Planning Area 7, St. John Bosco was grouped with St. Monica (Creve Coeur) and St. Richard (Creve Coeur). St. Richard Parish was also closed in the same reorganization, with all three parishes' territories reorganized and ultimately merged under St. Monica.
- Planning Area 7
- St. John Bosco (Maryland Heights)
- St. Monica (Creve Coeur)
- St. Richard (Creve Coeur)
Contact Information
Following the 2023 subsummation, all parish business for former St. John Bosco members is handled through St. Monica Parish.
- Address: 12934 Marine Ave., St. Louis (Creve Coeur / Maryland Heights), MO 63146
- St. John Bosco phone (historical): (314) 434-1312
- St. Monica Parish office: (314) 434-4211
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: stmonicastl.org
- Successor parish social: facebook.com/stmonicastl
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Donald J. Hoffman1972–1987
Founding pastor. Named the parish after St. John Bosco, patron of young people, anticipating a community of young singles and families. Reassigned in 1987 to pastoral counseling at St. Anthony's Medical Center; retired 1994 as senior priest in residence at St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Crestwood. Died October 2013.
- Father Gary Faust
Subsequent pastor of St. John Bosco Parish.
- Rev. Gerard R. Welsch / Rev. William J. Kester
Priests serving the parish in its later years, alongside Permanent Deacon Rev. Mr. Paul D. Craska.