About St. John · Felton, California
St. John's Catholic Church is a small, mission-shaped parish nestled in the redwood village of Felton, California, in Santa Cruz County. It belongs to the Diocese of Monterey in California and is pastored by Fr. Roy Margallo. The parish traces its roots to a handful of Catholic families who, in 1950, organized the building of their own church; the first Mass in the new building was celebrated on Easter Sunday, April 5, 1953. Today the parish gathers at 120 Russell Avenue at the corner of Highway 9, offering weekend and weekday Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, confession, faith formation for children and adults (RCIA), a Thursday community lunch program, and a network of small lay ministries served by an active volunteer core.
- Established
- 1953 (first Mass Easter Sunday, April 5, 1953; land purchased and construction began 1951)
- Patron
- St. John the Evangelist
- Rector
- Rev. Roy Margallo (Fr. Roy Margallo)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Monterey in California
Why belong here
St. John's is the kind of small parish where, as one former pastor put it, the community 'grows on you like moss.' It offers the full rhythm of Catholic life—two Sunday Masses, a Saturday vigil, weekday Masses, Friday Eucharistic Adoration, Saturday confession, RCIA for adults seeking initiation, and CCD religious education for children—while staying intimate enough that parishioners know one another by name. Ministries are hands-on and local: a Thursday community lunch open to all, a bereavement-reception team (Martha's Helpers), communion brought to the homebound, a weekly Scripture study, and a thriving lay liturgy corps. The redwood cross and redwood altar by local artist Cliff Short tie the parish visually to the surrounding Santa Cruz Mountains forest.
Mass times at St. John
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 PM (immediately before the 4:00 PM Vigil Mass)
Adoration times
- Friday 10:00–11:30 AM (Hour of Adoration before the 11:30 AM Mass; site notes a 'New time' of 10:30 AM in some months)
Parish History
St. John's is rooted in the faith of 38 Catholic families who, in 1950, transformed a corner vacant lot in the redwood village of Felton into a House of Worship. The community had worshipped since 1929 in private homes and the Felton Community Hall before building their own church in 1951–53. The first Mass was celebrated Easter Sunday, April 5, 1953, and the parish was debt-free by 1955. The parish's story runs through three Irish-born pastors, the construction of the parish hall in 1969, the 1982 San Lorenzo River flood, the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, and the 50th Anniversary redwood furnishings of 2002.
- 1950: 38 Catholic families in Felton, pop. ~1,200; nearest church in Santa Cruz
- 1929–38: Masses in the home of retired Fr. P.D. Hassett; summer Masses by Alma College priests at campgrounds
- 1947: Fr. John Nelson of St. Vincent de Paul, Davenport, begins Mass in Felton Community Hall
- 1951: Land purchased August; construction begins September
- April 5, 1953 (Easter Sunday): First Mass in the new church
- 1955: Construction debt paid off
- 1955–63: Fr. Edward Haskins; founded Newman Club for high schoolers
- 1963–79: Fr. Patrick McHugh; land purchased and parish hall built 1969
- 1979/82–96: Msgr. John Kennedy (17 years); 1982 flood shelter; 1989 Loma Prieta facade damage; redwood facade cross commissioned
- 1996: Fr. Michael Cross arrives — told the parish would 'grow on him like moss'
- 2002: 50th Anniversary — redwood altar, ambo, and tabernacle base by Cliff Short; new light-colored stonework wall
- 2002: Msgr. Kennedy dies; buried in Felton Cemetery
- Present: Fr. Roy Margallo serves as pastor
Worship & Liturgy
The parish follows a simple, traditional weekly rhythm: Saturday Vigil Mass with confession beforehand, two Sunday Masses, weekday Masses mid-week, and an hour of Eucharistic Adoration each Friday. Liturgical roles—lector, Eucharistic Minister, altar server—are filled by trained lay parishioners coordinated by Tom Howser, with a published monthly ministry schedule.
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:00 PM (Confession 3:30 PM)
- Sunday Masses: 8:30 AM and 11:30 AM
- Wednesday Mass: 11:30 AM
- Thursday Mass: 9:30 AM (with Fr. Roberto)
- Friday: 10:00 AM Hour of Adoration, followed by 11:30 AM Mass (with Fr. Roberto)
- Healing Mass: 6:30 PM, 2nd Wednesday of the month (per third-party listings)
- Office staffed Wednesday 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. John's has two main tracks: the RCIA process for adults seeking initiation into the Catholic Church, and the CCD Children's Religious Education program for parish kids preparing for First Holy Communion and continuing formation. Both are rooted in the Four Pillars of the Catholic Church—Creed, Prayer, Sacraments, and Morality—and follow the four-part structure of the Catechism.
- RCIA — Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: inquiry, Catechumenate, and Easter Baptism; call the office (831-335-4657) to inquire
- CCD Children's Religious Education — directed by Mary L. Sager, OPL; covers the Four Pillars of the Catechism
- Registration held in the parish hall after the 8:30 and 11:30 AM Sunday Masses
Scripture Study
A weekly round-table Scripture Study is offered every Tuesday evening from 5:00 to 6:00 PM in the Parish Hall. The format is a discussion of the readings and Gospel that will be proclaimed at the following Sunday's Mass. Led by John Smith and Tom Howser. All are welcome; participants are asked to park in the back of the church.
- When: Tuesdays, 5:00–6:00 PM (New Time noted on parish site)
- Where: Parish Hall (park in back of church)
- Leaders: John Smith and Tom Howser
- Format: Discussion of the upcoming Sunday's readings and Gospel
Parish Ministries & Volunteer Groups
St. John's is a small parish with a deep bench of lay-led ministries. The parish is currently in urgent need of additional altar servers (adults and children who have received First Communion; training is provided). Liturgical roles are coordinated by Tom Howser. The Altar Society (Eileen White) cares for the sanctuary; the Music Ministry leads song; and a network of small groups keeps the parish active week to week.
- Eucharistic Ministers / Lectors / Altar Servers — Tom Howser
- Altar Society — Eileen White
- Music Ministry
- Altar Servers (urgent need; training provided)
- Holy Spirit Study Class — meets in the Fran Ragan Room
Peace and Justice — Thursday Lunch Program
St. John's Peace and Justice Committee runs a weekly community lunch every Thursday from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM in the parish hall, serving homemade soup, a hearty sandwich, and dessert to anyone who comes. Bread, baked goods, and pet food are also offered when available. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the program shifted to bag lunches, with hot lunch also available. The parish describes the hall as 'more than just a place to come for food; it is a place where people care.' Contact: Toni Jeffrey.
- Every Thursday, 11:00 AM–1:00 PM in the parish hall
- Homemade soup, sandwich, dessert; plus bread, baked goods, pet food when available
- All are welcome; no requirements
- Contact: Toni Jeffrey
Martha's Helpers (Bereavement Ministry)
Founded in 1995, Martha's Helpers provides a funeral reception in the parish hall for families of parishioners who have died. A Coordinator (currently Pattie Schonig, 831-335-4546) calls the family, arranges photo and memorabilia tables, and organizes food via Phone Captains and team members. Set-up, serving, and clean-up crews handle the day-of, and the hall is set up the day before. Many of the original 1995 volunteers are still involved.
- Founded 1995
- Coordinator: Pattie Schonig (831-335-4546)
- Provides luncheon reception after funeral Mass in the parish hall
- Roles: Coordinator, Phone Captains, Set-up Team, Servers, Clean-up Crew
- Many founding members still volunteer
Homebound Ministry
Parishioners who cannot easily attend Mass are visited after the Sunday 8:30 AM Mass, with a Eucharistic Minister typically arriving between 9:45 and 11:00 AM. The short ceremony includes prayers, readings, and reception of the consecrated host. Catholic caregivers are eligible to receive as well. To arrange a visit, call the parish office (831-335-4657).
- Visits after the 8:30 AM Sunday Mass
- Minister typically arrives 9:45–11:00 AM
- Prayers, readings, and reception of the host
- Catholic caregivers also welcome to receive
- Contact: parish office 831-335-4657
Art, Architecture & Local Craftsmanship
A distinctive feature of St. John's is the visible imprint of local artist Cliff Short. The 16-foot redwood cross on the church's facade—etched with vines, 12 grape clusters, and the eagle symbol of St. John the Evangelist—was commissioned by Msgr. John Kennedy after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake damaged the facade. For the parish's 50th Anniversary in 2002, Fr. Michael Cross commissioned Cliff Short again, this time for a new altar, ambo, and tabernacle base, all in redwood; light-colored stonework was added to the wall behind the altar to better display the Crucifix. Sand-colored carpet runs the length of the aisles under freshly polished pews. Most photographs on the parish website are by parishioner Tom Howser.
- 16-foot redwood facade cross by Cliff Short — eagle of St. John, 12 grape clusters, vines
- Redwood altar, ambo, and tabernacle base by Cliff Short (2002, 50th Anniversary)
- Light-colored stonework wall behind the altar to feature the Crucifix
- Website photography by Tom Howser; 1950s photos from an unknown parishioner
Sacraments & Pastoral Care
The parish office, staffed Wednesdays 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, handles Mass intentions and the scheduling of Baptisms and Marriages. Visitors are welcome to call or stop by the rectory for special appointments. First Communion is prepared through the CCD program; Reconciliation is heard each Saturday at 3:30 PM; Anointing of the Sick and pastoral visits are arranged by request.
- Baptism — schedule through the parish office
- Marriage — schedule through the parish office
- Mass intentions — arranged through the office
- Anointing / visits to the sick — by request
- First Communion — through CCD
- Confession — Saturday 3:30 PM
Visiting & Getting Involved
St. John's welcomes visitors and newcomers. Mass times, confession, adoration, Scripture study, and the Thursday community lunch are all open to the public. Those wishing to get involved can join any of the parish ministries—from altar serving to Peace and Justice—or inquire about RCIA for themselves or CCD for their children by calling the parish office at (831) 335-4657.
- 120 Russell Avenue, Felton, CA 95018 (corner of Hwy 9)
- Phone: (831) 335-4657
- Office hours: Wednesday 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
- Website: http://www.stjohnsfelton.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. P.D. Hassett (retired)1929–1938
Hosted Masses in his Felton home; not formally pastor of the parish.
- Fr. John Nelson1947–~1952
Came from St. Vincent de Paul in Davenport; celebrated Mass in the Felton Community Hall for six years.
- Fr. William LaneMarch 1952–1955
Irish-born; arrived to finish the church building. Celebrated the first Mass in the new church on Easter Sunday, April 5, 1953. Transferred to Pacific Grove.
- Fr. Edward Haskins1955–1963
Saw significant growth; established the Newman Club for high school students. Resigned due to poor health.
- Fr. Patrick McHugh1963–March 1979
Irish-born; purchased adjoining land in 1969 and oversaw construction of the parish hall. Died of a heart attack in the rectory in March 1979.
- Msgr. John Kennedy~1979/82–1996
Third Irish-born pastor; 17-year tenure—the longest. Led the parish through the 1982 San Lorenzo River flood and the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Commissioned the redwood facade cross. Died 2002; buried in Felton Cemetery.
- Fr. Michael Cross1996–c. 2002+
Told by Msgr. Kennedy the parish would 'grow on him like moss.' Commissioned the 50th Anniversary redwood altar, ambo, and tabernacle base by Cliff Short in 2002.
- Fr. Roy Margallopresent
Current pastor.