About St. John of the Cross · New Caney, Texas
St. John of the Cross Catholic Church is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Roman Catholic parish located in New Caney, Texas, in the fast-growing East Montgomery County area northeast of Houston. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Galveston–Houston and is led by Fr. Michael Applegate. The parish community traces its roots back to 1974, was officially established as a mission in 1981, and was elevated to parish status on November 14, 1989 — the feast of its patron saint. Today St. John of the Cross serves a diverse flock with five Sunday Masses, a robust faith-formation program, a food pantry, a Knights of Columbus council, multiple Spanish-language prayer and family ministries, and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament four days a week.
- Established
- 1989
- Patron
- St. John of the Cross
- Rector
- Rev. Michael Applegate
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Galveston–Houston
Why belong here
St. John of the Cross is a welcoming bilingual parish where families from New Caney, Porter, Splendora, Roman Forest and beyond gather for five Sunday Masses (one in English, four in Spanish) plus four weekday Masses. The community is grounded in the Great Commandment — love of God and love of neighbor — and lives that out through dozens of ministries: faith formation for children and youth, RCIA/OCIA in English and Spanish, Knights of Columbus and Catholic Daughters, three Spanish choirs, ACTS retreats, Movimiento Familiar Cristiano, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Tuesday through Friday, a parish food pantry, and a Bible study community called C.E.R.S. Whether you want to worship, grow in faith, serve the hungry, or find a place to belong, there is a way to share your gifts here.
Mass times at St. John of the Cross
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Tuesday: 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM
Adoration times
- Tuesday: after daily Mass until 12:00 PM, continuing 12:00 PM – 5:45 PM
- Wednesday: after daily Mass until 12:00 PM; silent adoration 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Thursday: after daily Mass until 12:00 PM
- Friday: after daily Mass until 12:00 PM
- Chaplet of Divine Mercy: Tuesday–Friday, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Church remains open until 5:00 PM for private devotion
About St. John of the Cross
St. John of the Cross is a bilingual Roman Catholic parish in New Caney, Texas, serving the East Montgomery County communities of New Caney, Porter, Splendora, Roman Forest, Huffman, Kingwood, Cleveland, Conroe and Humble. The parish mission, in the words of the welcome page signed by Fr. Michael, rests on the Great Commandment: "Love of God from which flows love of neighbor." The community sees itself as the Body of Christ gathered and sent, inviting newcomers to share their gifts and talents.
- Parish mission: Love of God and love of neighbor.
- Welcomes parish members and visitors alike.
- Surrounding communities served: New Caney, Porter, Splendora, Roman Forest, Huffman, Kingwood, Cleveland, Conroe, Humble.
History of the Parish
Catholic life in New Caney began at the Carmelite Monastery chapel in Roman Forest in 1974. Bishop John Morkovsky established St. John of the Cross as a Mission in 1981; the first Mass was celebrated February 1, 1981 at the New Caney Middle School cafeteria by Msgr. Leo J. Price with about 170 people present. Three acres on Loop 494 were purchased in 1982, and Bishop Morkovsky dedicated the new rustic Church/Multi-Purpose Building on February 12, 1984. On November 14, 1989 Bishop Joseph Fiorenza elevated the mission to Parish status, and Fr. James Harnan, M.S.C., was installed as first pastor on December 14, 1989 — the feast of the patron saint. In early 1999 the parish became debt-free for the first time, and celebrated 25 years of community, 15 years in a church building, and 10 years as an official parish.
- 1974 — Carmelite nuns open monastery chapel in Roman Forest; Catholic families begin gathering for Mass.
- Feb 1, 1981 — First Mission Mass at New Caney Middle School cafeteria (~170 attendees).
- Sept 1982 — Three acres purchased on Loop 494 for ~$95,000 from former Friendship Methodist Church.
- Jan 22, 1984 — First Mass in new church building.
- Feb 12, 1984 — Bishop Morkovsky dedicates the Church/Multi-Purpose Building.
- Nov 14, 1989 — Bishop Joseph Fiorenza elevates mission to parish status.
- Dec 14, 1989 — Fr. James Harnan installed as first pastor on the feast of St. John of the Cross.
- Aug 25, 1991 — First Spanish Mass celebrated at St. John's.
- 1993 — Education Building (9 classrooms + 2 offices) dedicated by Bishop Tamayo.
- Early 1999 — Parish becomes debt-free.
- Sept 12, 1999 — Anniversary Mass: 25 years as a community, 15 years with a church, 10 years as a parish.
Faith Formation & Sacraments
Faith formation for children is coordinated by Adriana Villafaña, with separate tracks for English and Spanish speakers. The parish also runs the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults in both languages — RCIA in English (Cecilia McDonald) and OCIA in Spanish (Virginia Santillan) — welcoming adults into the Catholic Church or completing their sacraments.
- Coordinator of Religious Education for Children: Adriana Villafaña ([email protected], 832-753-6752)
- RCIA — English: Cecilia McDonald
- OCIA — Spanish: Virginia Santillan
- Religious education has been continuous since the mission years; reached 249 students K–12 by 1998–99.
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
Youth ministry is coordinated by Amanda Benavides (also Columbiettes liaison and office assistant). El Arca Juveniel (the Young Adult Ministry) is led by Ana González and Analleli Garcia. ACTS retreats are offered in Spanish for men and women.
- Youth Coordinator: Amanda Benavides ([email protected], 832-753-6764)
- El Arca Juveniel: Ana González, Analleli Garcia
- ACTS retreats (Spanish): Jorge González, Lorena Nambo Romero
Parish Organizations & Societies
St. John of the Cross hosts a wide range of parish societies — both longstanding Catholic organizations and locally rooted groups — that give lay faithful structured ways to serve the parish, the diocese, and the wider community.
- Knights of Columbus Council 13166
- Columbiettes 13166 (affiliate women's auxiliary)
- Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court 2500
- Pastoral Council (Anahí Nañez de Vasquez)
- Financial Council (Lynn Luspin)
- Vocation Committee (Freddie Santos)
- Maintenance Committee, Social Committee, Garden Ministry
Spanish-Language Ministries & Prayer Groups
Because four of the five weekend Masses are celebrated in Spanish, the parish nurtures a deep bench of Spanish-language ministries: three choirs serve the 11 AM, 1 PM and 3 PM Masses; Movimiento Familiar Cristiano supports couples and families; Vida Nueva en Cristo, Grupo de Oración Carismático, Adoración Nocturna, Adoración Preciosísima Sangre, Legión de María, AMSIF, C.E.R.S. Bible study, Matachines Dancers, and the parish's oldest Spanish organization — the Hispanic Club (since 1993) — round out the community.
- Coro Adoremos (11 AM) — Horacio Zavala
- Coro San Juan de la Cruz (1 PM) — Juan Santoyo
- Coro Divina Misericordia (3 PM) — Angeles Garcia
- Hispanic Club — founded 1993, hosts Fiestas Patrias
- Movimiento Familiar Cristiano — Dany & Maritza López; Audiel & Mariela Huerta
- Vida Nueva en Cristo — Esperanza León
- Grupo de Oración Carismático — Evaristo Estrada
- Adoración Preciosísima Sangre — Anselmo Trujillo
- Adoración Nocturna — Faustino Martinez
- Legión de María — Alonso Sierra, María González
- Grupo AMSIF — Maria Montelongo
- Comunidad C.E.R.S. (Bible study) — Roberto Tovar
- Ultreya (Cursillo) — Pedro Landaverde
- Matachines Dancers — Edith Salinas
Outreach & Charity
The parish lives the 'love of neighbor' half of its mission through direct service to those in need. The parish Food Pantry, coordinated by Hilda Hernandez, distributes food to local families in need. Additional outreach happens through Knights of Columbus charitable work, Catholic Daughters, and the Columbiettes.
- Food Pantry / Despensa — Hilda Hernandez ([email protected], 832-753-6775)
- Knights of Columbus Council 13166 charitable initiatives
- Catholic Daughters Court 2500 service projects
- Columbiettes 13166 outreach
Liturgical & Music Ministries
Music is central to worship at St. John of the Cross. The English Hosanna Choir leads the 9 AM Mass, while three Spanish choirs serve the 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM Masses (with a fourth Spanish Mass at 5 PM). Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion serve the English Masses, and a Spanish team of lectors, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers, and ushers/greeters support the Spanish liturgies.
- Hosanna Choir (English) — T.B.D.
- Coro Adoremos (11 AM Spanish) — Horacio Zavala
- Coro San Juan de la Cruz (1 PM Spanish) — Juan Santoyo
- Coro Divina Misericordia (3 PM Spanish) — Angeles Garcia
- Lectors & EM Ministers (English) — Delores Green
- Ministro de Eucaristía (Spanish) — José Fernandez
- Altar Servers (Spanish) — Federica Garay
- Ushers & Greeters (Spanish) — Pablo Hernandez, Gabriel Molinero, Alejandro Hernandez
Parish Staff & Leadership
The parish is staffed by a pastor, deacon, and a team of lay ecclesial ministers and administrative staff, with bilingual support across all offices. Pastoral Council and Financial Councils provide lay governance, and dozens of ministry leaders coordinate the parish's many programs.
- Pastor: Rev. Michael Applegate ([email protected], 281-399-9008)
- Deacon: Miguel Hernández ([email protected])
- Pastoral Associate / Business Administrator: Norma Pacheco ([email protected], 832-753-6785)
- Office / Administrative Assistant / Receptionist: Evangelina Ramon ([email protected])
- Coordinator of Religious Education (Children): Adriana Villafaña ([email protected], 832-753-6752)
- Youth Coordinator / Office Assistant: Amanda Benavides ([email protected], 832-753-6764)
- Spanish Pastoral Assistant: (Office 281-399-9008)
- Pastoral Council Chair: Anahí Nañez de Vasquez
- Financial Council Chair: Lynn Luspin
Visit, Contact & Office Information
Visitors and parishioners are warmly welcomed. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Friday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. The church itself is open until 5:00 PM on weekdays for private devotion.
- Address: 20000 Loop 494, New Caney, Texas 77357
- Phone: 281-399-9008 — Fax: 281-399-1500
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.sjotctx.org
- Facebook: St. John of the Cross Catholic Church-New Caney, Texas
- Office Hours: Mon–Thu 9 AM–5 PM; Fri 9 AM–12 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. William L. Tinney1981–1989
First Pastor of St. John of the Cross Mission (also pastor of St. Martha, Kingwood); oversaw founding of the mission and purchase of land.
- Msgr. Leo J. Price1981–1989
Priest in Charge; celebrated the first Mission Mass on Feb 1, 1981 in the New Caney Middle School cafeteria; retired from parish ministry in 1989.
- Rev. James Harnan, M.S.C.1989–1993
Arrived as Priest in Charge September 10, 1989; installed as first pastor of the newly formed parish on December 14, 1989 (the feast of St. John of the Cross).
- Rev. Jeremiah Murphy, M.S.C.1993–
Succeeded Fr. Harnan on June 27, 1993; Bishop Tamayo dedicated the Education Building during his tenure in Sept 1993.
- Rev. Frank Guenter1996–
Resident priest from December 1996; served during the debt-reduction era.
- Rev. Michael Applegate2021–present
Current pastor; previously Parochial Vicar at St. Michael Catholic Church (2017–2020).