About St. John the Apostle · Saint John, Kansas
St. John the Apostle is a small Catholic parish located at 609 East 4th Street in Saint John, Kansas (Stafford County), within the Diocese of Dodge City. With only 58 registered households, it is a tight-knit rural community of faith served together with Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pratt under one pastor, Rev. Charles Atuah, MSP. The parish offers Sunday Mass on a rotating seasonal schedule with its sister church in Pratt, a weekly Tuesday morning Mass, and All-Day Adoration on the second Tuesday of each month. It is staffed by a Director of Religious Education (Chris & Gayle Davis), a bookkeeper (Johnna Stanford), and an office secretary (Barbara Bustamante).
- Patron
- St. John the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Charles Atuah, MSP
- Diocese
- Diocese of Dodge City
Why belong here
St. John the Apostle offers the warmth and familiarity of a small rural Catholic community — just 58 registered households worshiping together in the heart of Stafford County. Under the pastoral care of Fr. Charles Atuah, MSP (Missionaries of St. Paul), the parish is paired with Sacred Heart in Pratt and shares in a wide range of ministries: Knights of Columbus, Women of Sacred Heart, a Pro Life Group, Hispanic Ministry, Adoration facilitators, and Helping Hands Sewing, plus faith formation through the Parish School of Religion and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Visitors and parishioners are welcomed into a community that explicitly values every individual's gifts and talents as part of its shared spiritual growth.
Mass times at St. John the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sundays 7:30 AM – 7:55 AM (July 1 – December 31, at St. John)
- Sundays 10:00 AM – 10:25 AM (January 1 – June 30, at St. John)
- Saturdays 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM (at Sacred Heart, Pratt)
Adoration times
- All Day Adoration on the Second Tuesday of every month
Parish Identity and Mission
St. John the Apostle is one of two parishes shepherded by Rev. Charles Atuah, MSP, of the Missionaries of St. Paul — the other being Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pratt. Together they form a single pastoral family with one staff, one shared website (sacredheartpratt.com), and a coordinated weekend Mass schedule. The joint mission statement is: 'We are a faith community who recognizes and acknowledges individuals' gifts and talents, encouraging spiritual growth.' Their vision statement reads: 'As Disciples in Christ, we are called to know, love and serve God and each other in celebrating and living the message of the Gospel.'
- Shared mission statement across both parishes
- Shared vision statement
- Pastoral care by Fr. Charles Atuah, MSP
Staff and Parish Leadership
St. John the Apostle is served by a small staff of lay leaders and one priest. The pastor, Rev. Charles Atuah, MSP, provides sacramental care for both St. John the Apostle and Sacred Heart in Pratt. Day-to-day parish operations are supported by an office secretary (Barbara Bustamante) and a bookkeeper (Johnna Stanford). Faith formation for children is coordinated by Directors of Religious Education Chris and Gayle Davis. The parish also maintains a number of commissions and councils.
- Pastor: Rev. Charles Atuah, MSP
- DRE: Chris & Gayle Davis
- Bookkeeper: Johnna Stanford
- Office Secretary: Barbara Bustamante
- Parish Pastoral Council
- Finance Council
- Liturgy Commission
- Religious Formation Commission
- Vocation Commission
- Outreach & Welcoming Commission
- Youth Commission
- Property and Maintenance Commission
- Stewardship Commission
Religious Formation and Faith Education
Faith formation at St. John the Apostle is shared with Sacred Heart Pratt. The Parish School of Religion (PSR) serves children in grades K-12, while the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) offers a Montessori-based catechetical experience for younger children. Adults preparing for initiation into the Catholic Church are welcomed through the OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) team.
- Parish School of Religion (PSR) — grades K-12
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS)
- OCIA team for adult catechumens and candidates
- Catechist and catechist-aide volunteer opportunities
Parish Ministries and Groups
Although small in number, the parish supports a wide variety of ministries spanning liturgy, prayer, formation, community service, and outreach. Liturgical roles include lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, altar servers, ushers, sacristans, commentators, gift bearers, and music ministers (both vocal and instrumental). Prayer ministries include rosary leaders and Adoration facilitators. Community-and-hospitality ministries include visiting the sick and home-bound, befriending new parishioners, sitting with the handicapped, helping with parish socials and dinners, and assisting the office. The parish also hosts several organized groups.
- Knights of Columbus
- Women of Sacred Heart
- Pro Life Group
- Hispanic Ministry
- Adoration Facilitators
- Helping Hands Sewing
Contact and Visiting
Parishioners and visitors can reach St. John the Apostle by phone at 620-549-3847 (Office & Parish Center) with fax 620-549-3538. Email contact is [email protected]. The mailing address is PO Box 475, St. John, KS 67576-0475. The parish shares its website with Sacred Heart in Pratt: sacredheartpratt.com.
- Phone: 620-549-3847
- Fax: 620-549-3538
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 609 East 4th Street, PO Box 475, St. John, KS 67576-0475
- Website: sacredheartpratt.com
Local History: The Town of St. John
The town of St. John itself was founded in 1875 as 'Zion Valley' by a Latter Day Saint (Bickertonite) Mormon colony led by William Bickerton. In 1879, the settlement was renamed 'St. John' in honor of Kansas Governor John P. St. John, a move that helped secure the county seat of Stafford County. The Catholic community grew alongside the town, eventually leading to the establishment of St. John the Apostle parish to serve local Catholic families.
- Founded 1875 as Zion Valley
- Renamed 1879 for Governor John P. St. John
- Secured Stafford County seat
Diocese of Dodge City
St. John the Apostle is part of the Diocese of Dodge City, which covers the western and south-central counties of Kansas. The parish is listed in the diocesan directory under its priest, staff, Mass schedule, adoration day, and contact information.
- Diocese: Dodge City
- Listed in diocesan parish directory
- Registered households: 58