About St. John · Olean, New York
St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church is a parish in North Olean, New York, located at 931 North Union Street. Founded in 1895 after 45 years in which all of Olean's Catholics belonged to a single parish (St. Mary of the Angels), it serves the Catholic community of the North Hill and is part of the Enchanted Mountains Catholic Community family of parishes in the Diocese of Buffalo. Today the parish is led as part of a regional grouping with the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and St. Bonaventure Church, sharing clergy and sacramental life with its sister communities in the Southern Tier.
- Established
- 1895
- Patron
- St. John the Evangelist
- Rector
- Rev. Christopher Emminger
- Diocese
- Diocese of Buffalo
Why belong here
St. John the Evangelist is a welcoming, neighborhood Catholic parish in North Olean that offers daily and weekend Mass, faith formation for children, and a strong tradition of parish festival life (including the annual Italian Festival). As part of the Enchanted Mountains Catholic Community, parishioners benefit from shared ministries across the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and St. Bonaventure Church, including religious education, outreach to the poor, Knights of Columbus service, and devotion to the saints.
Mass times at St. John
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30–4:10 PM (seasonal; published in bulletin)
- Wednesday morning after Mass and upon request
About St. John the Evangelist
St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church serves the North Olean community at 931 North Union Street, Olean, NY. Founded in 1895, it is one of the historic parishes of the city and is part of the Diocese of Buffalo. The parish is currently clustered with the nearby Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and St. Bonaventure Church under the Enchanted Mountains Catholic Community umbrella.
History of the Parish
The parish traces its roots to 1895, when Bishop Stephen Ryan established it as a separate parish for North Olean after 45 years in which all Catholics in the city belonged to St. Mary of the Angels. From 2018 onward, leadership has been shared with the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels. Most recently, in 2023, Bishop Michael Fisher appointed Fr. Chris Emminger to form the Parish Family of Enchanted Mountain Community, bringing St. John the Evangelist, St. Bonaventure, and the Basilica together under a unified pastoral team. In 2026, parish leaders confirmed the church would remain open and independent.
- 1895 – St. John's parish established in North Olean.
- 1896 – Listed parish history start date (GCatholic).
- 2018 – Fr. Patrick Melfi named pastor; first time since 1895 all Olean Catholics under one pastor.
- 2020 – Fr. John Adams named parochial administrator.
- 2021 – Fr. John Adams named pastor/rector of basilica and pastor of St. John's.
- 2023 – Fr. Christopher Emminger named pastor; forms Parish Family of Enchanted Mountain Community.
- 2026 – Parish leaders confirm church will remain open and independent.
Clergy and Staff
St. John the Evangelist is served by the clergy of the Enchanted Mountains Catholic Community. Fr. Christopher Emminger is the current pastor. Parish staff includes the office coordinator and the Director of Faith Formation.
- Rev. Christopher Emminger – Pastor
- Rev. Gregory Jakubowicz, OFM – Parochial Vicar
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith Formation classes are offered for children in Grades K–10, coordinated through the parish office. The parish also participates in the wider regional faith formation programming of the Enchanted Mountains Catholic Community.
- Faith Formation for Grades K–10
- RCIA preparation for adults entering the Church
Parish Ministries and Outreach
The parish has an active lay faithful engaged in charitable, devotional, and parish-life ministries. Members participate in the Knights of Columbus, the St. Vincent de Paul Society (including a monthly food drive and a can/bottle drive through the Allegany Beverage & Redemption Center), and Respect Life activities such as the annual Life Chain. Senior Appreciation Day is also a parish tradition.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society – monthly food drive and can/bottle drive
- Knights of Columbus
- Respect Life activities – annual Life Chain and Respect Life Mass
- Senior Appreciation Day
- Morning Star Family hospitality weekends
Sacraments
Information about celebrating the sacraments at St. John the Evangelist is available through the parish office.
- Baptism – contact the parish office for infant baptism preparation
- Marriage – arrangements must be made at least 6 months in advance
- Anointing of the Sick – contact the parish office
- New Parishioner Registration – online form or call the office
Parish Festival and Community Life
St. John the Evangelist hosts an annual Italian Festival that features live music, a raffle, and an online ticket sale. Hospitality weekends and ministry fairs bring parishioners together throughout the year.
- Annual Italian Festival with live music and raffle
- Online ticket purchase for festival and raffle
- Monthly hospitality weekends and ministry fair
Enchanted Mountains Catholic Community
St. John the Evangelist is part of the Enchanted Mountains Catholic Community (emcatholic.org), a family of parishes that also includes the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and St. Bonaventure Church. The community shares Mass times, ministries, and a live-stream schedule.
- Diocese of Buffalo parish family
- Shared live-stream schedule and ministries
- Regional pastoral team under Fr. Christopher Emminger
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. F. Patrick Melfi2018–2020
Appointed pastor while retaining St. John's; first time since 1895 all Olean Catholics under a single pastor.
- Rev. John Adams2020–2023
First appointed parochial administrator by Bishop Scharfenberger, then named pastor/rector by Bishop Fisher in 2021.
- Rev. Christopher Emminger2023–present
Appointed by Bishop Fisher; formed the Parish Family of Enchanted Mountain Community with St. Bonaventure.