About St. John the Baptist · Draper, Utah
St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish is a Catholic parish in Draper, Utah, part of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City and sharing its campus with the Skaggs Catholic Center (elementary, middle school, Juan Diego Catholic High School, and Guardian Angel Daycare). Founded as a mission in 1981 and established as a parish in 1999, SJB serves one of the youngest and fastest-growing regions of the Salt Lake Valley. Its self-stated mission centers on the Eucharist and on passing the Catholic faith to children and families, with the pastor himself teaching sacramental preparation.
- Established
- 1981
- Patron
- St. John the Baptist
- Rector
- Rev. Stephen M. Tilley
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City
Why belong here
St. John the Baptist is a family-oriented parish in the heart of one of the nation's youngest and fastest-growing regions, with a clear Eucharistic focus and a strong commitment to passing the Catholic faith to children. Unusually, the pastor himself teaches the sacramental preparation classes for First Communion and Confirmation, and the parish runs a robust OCIA (Becoming Catholic) program, a youth group with apologetics and a hiking club, a family catechesis program for grades 3–6, and the ACTS retreat community. Sharing the Skaggs Catholic Center campus with the parish elementary, middle school, Juan Diego Catholic High School, and Guardian Angel Daycare means Catholic formation is woven into nearly every stage of family life.
Mass times at St. John the Baptist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:45 PM – 4:30 PM
- Wednesday: 6:00 PM – 7:45 PM (during Wednesday Evening Reconciliation, Adoration, Rosary & Night Prayer)
Adoration times
- Wednesday evenings, 6:00 PM – 7:45 PM (Adoration, Rosary & Night Prayer, together with Reconciliation)
Our Story — Founding & Growth
Saint John the Baptist was established as a Mission of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Sandy, by Most Reverend William K. Weigand on January 3, 1981, with Reverend James McHugh, O.F.S.F. as the first pastor. The first Mass was offered on Easter Sunday 1981 in a mission church at 1300 East 12900 South in Draper. The community was raised to parish status on April 6, 1999 by Most Reverend George Niederauer, with Reverend Terence M. Moore named first pastor. The parish then moved into the newly completed Skaggs Catholic Center in June 1999, with weekend Masses initially celebrated in the Juan Diego High School Auditorium. Today the parish describes its mission: 'With the Eucharist as our firm foundation, the mission of St. John the Baptist Parish is to build up the faith of our children so that our families may be a witness of Christ's divine love.'
- Mission established January 3, 1981 by Bishop William K. Weigand
- Parish established April 6, 1999 by Bishop George Niederauer
- Moved into Skaggs Catholic Center, June 1999
Our Church Building
The current parish church was designed by Edwards, Daniels Architects, Inc., constructed by Cameron Construction Company, and dedicated September 7, 2003 by Most Reverend George H. Niederauer. On September 9, 2007, Most Reverend John C. Wester dedicated a Prayer Grotto in the form of the Rosary on the east side of the church, carrying the Gospel theme 'Let The Children Come to Me' (Matt 19:14). The parish celebrated paying off the mortgage on the new church at a 'Burn the Mortgage' Mass on April 21, 2013.
- Architect: Edwards, Daniels Architects, Inc.
- Builder: Cameron Construction Company
- Dedicated September 7, 2003 by Bishop George H. Niederauer
- Rosary Prayer Grotto dedicated September 9, 2007 by Bishop John C. Wester
- Mortgage retired at 'Burn the Mortgage' Mass, April 21, 2013
Pastor Succession
The parish has been served by five pastors since its founding. Msgr. Terence M. Moore, the founding pastor of the parish (1999–2013), oversaw the move into the Skaggs Catholic Center, the construction and dedication of the church, the dedication of the Rosary Prayer Grotto, and the 2013 'Burn the Mortgage' Mass before retiring as Pastor Emeritus. Msgr. Joseph Mayo succeeded him (2013–2017), followed by Rev. Rick Sherman (2017–2019). Rev. Stephen M. Tilley was appointed Administrator in August 2019, named Pastor in August 2020, and installed as Pastor on September 13, 2020.
- Rev. James McHugh, O.F.S.F. (1981) — first pastor of the mission
- Rev. Terence M. (Msgr.) Moore (1999–2013) — first pastor of the parish; now Pastor Emeritus
- Msgr. Joseph Mayo (Aug 2013 – July 2017)
- Rev. Rick Sherman (Aug 2017 – Aug 2019)
- Rev. Stephen M. Tilley (Aug 2019 – present)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. John the Baptist is built around Sunday Mass, with sacramental preparation classes taught personally by the pastor, Fr. Stephen M. Tilley, between the Sunday morning Masses — a setup the parish notes is 'unlike at almost any other parish in America.' First Holy Communion and First Confession follow a two-year program typically taken in grades 1 and 2; Confirmation is a two-year program typically taken in grades 7 and 8. A separate Family Catechesis program serves grades 3–6 on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM, designed to engage the whole family.
- 1st Communion & 1st Confession Prep — 2-year program, grades 1–2
- Confirmation Prep — 2-year program, grades 7–8
- Family Catechesis — grades 3–6, 1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 6:00–7:00 PM
- Director of Faith Formation & Evangelization: Melodie Tolentino
- OCIA / Becoming Catholic lead: Liz Canto
Youth Ministry
The SJB Youth program welcomes every middle-schooler and high-schooler with a mix of social, spiritual, and service activities — hiking, retreats, sports outings, trivia, movies, partnering with CCS, helping the Carmelites, and service projects like wrapping Christmas presents and cleaning local churches. Events are RSVP-based with capacity caps. The program also includes a high-school-only Faith Defenders Apologetics track and a Hiking Club. Volunteers and parents are invited to join the SJB Youth Group Parent Page to support the program.
- Director of Youth Evangelization: Kira Anderson
- Director of Youth Ministry & Infant Baptisms: Kris Ortega
- Faith Defenders Apologetics (high school)
- Hiking Club
- Parent volunteer page and event RSVP via Typeform
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
The parish runs an OCIA (formerly RCIA) program for the unbaptized, Christians baptized in another church, and Catholics needing First Communion and/or Confirmation. Inquiry Sessions are held regularly, after which candidates move through a period of prayer, formation, discernment, and — when ready — full reception into the Church at the Easter Vigil or another scheduled Mass. The parish emphasizes that there is 'absolutely no pressure' and that participants move at a pace shaped by prayer and the Holy Spirit. A sponsor accompanies each candidate as a prayerful guide and companion.
- Open to unbaptized, baptized Christians, and Catholics completing sacraments
- Inquiry Sessions and Info Sessions offered throughout the year
- Sponsors walk with candidates through the process
- Contact: Liz Canto ([email protected])
Outreach & Charity
St. John the Baptist runs multiple outreach efforts through a team of parish staff and volunteers. The Soup Kitchen Team feeds the hungry in the wider community, and the Parish Hygiene Pantry supplies families in need with hygiene items. The Respect for Life ministry promotes the dignity of all human life, and Minister to the Sick brings Christ to the homebound and hospitalized. Volunteers can sign up for any of these through the parish's 'Serve' page.
- Soup Kitchen Team
- Parish Hygiene Pantry
- Respect for Life
- Minister to the Sick
- Hospitality Ministry (coffee & donuts, Faith Formation meals, event setup)
- Director of Outreach and Charity contact: Ann Werner
Music & Liturgy
Music is coordinated through the parish's Music Ministry Director and Liturgical Coordinator, with opportunities for singers and instrumentalists to serve at Mass. The parish invites volunteers to sing or play music by contacting Ann Werner.
- Liturgical Coordinator: Michael Parker
- Music Ministry Director: Ann Werner
- Volunteers invited to sing or play at Mass
Parish Staff
The parish is led by Fr. Stephen M. Tilley (Pastor) with Fr. Paulraj Rayappa serving as Parochial Vicar, and Deacons Dale Dillon and Michael N. Mort assisting. A full lay staff supports faith formation, youth ministry, OCIA, liturgy, music, communications, weddings and funerals, youth evangelization, finance and HR, safe environment, and maintenance.
- Fr. Stephen M. Tilley — Pastor (also Utah State Prison Chaplain)
- Fr. Paulraj Rayappa — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Dale Dillon
- Deacon Michael N. Mort
- Kira Anderson — Director of Youth Evangelization / Operations, Finance & HR
- Kris Ortega — Director of Youth Ministry & Infant Baptisms
- Liz Canto — Youth, Young Adults, Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
- Melodie Tolentino — Director of Faith Formation & Evangelization
- Julie Carlson — Faith Formation Assistant / Outreach
- Michael Parker — Liturgical Coordinator
- Ann Werner — Music Ministry Director
- Collin Carlson — Communications Director
- Jordan Lowney — Weddings, Funerals & Ministries
- Louise Herman — Administrative Assistant
- Erika Tapia — Assistant Operations Manager & Safe Environment
- Alyssa White — Maintenance
Skaggs Catholic Center — Schools on Campus
St. John the Baptist shares its 300 East 11800 South campus with the Skaggs Catholic Center, which provides Catholic education from early childhood through 12th grade. The parish elementary (K–5) and middle school opened in 1999 and welcome students of all faiths. Juan Diego Catholic High School sits on the same campus. The schools share the parish's mission to form the whole child — spiritually, morally, emotionally, intellectually, and physically — through daily faith practices, retreats, service opportunities, and rigorous academics.
- St. John the Baptist Catholic Elementary (K–5) — (801) 984-7108
- St. John the Baptist Catholic Middle School — (801) 984-7614
- Juan Diego Catholic High School — (801) 984-7650
- Guardian Angel Daycare — (801) 984-7135
Get Involved — Serve & Volunteer
The parish maintains an open 'Serve' page where parishioners can sign up to volunteer in nearly every area of parish life — from OCIA and Faith Formation to Youth Ministry, Soup Kitchen, Hygiene Pantry, Music, Minister to the Sick, Respect for Life, and Hospitality. Sign-ups are collected through simple forms and routed to the relevant staff or ministry lead.
- Teach or Share Your Faith (OCIA, Faith Formation)
- Sing or Play Music at Mass
- Serve with Our Youth
- Help Feed the Hungry (Soup Kitchen Team)
- Help in the Parish Hygiene Pantry
- Minister to the Sick
- Promote Respect for Life
- Hospitality Volunteer
Visit, Contact & Practical Info
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, email, or in person at the parish address. The 'Visit' page encourages newcomers to come to any weekend Mass and notes that those curious about Catholicism can schedule a meeting via email. The parish also communicates through Flocknote, with its own Flocknote page for parish news and sign-ups.
- Address: 300 East 11800 South, Draper, UT 84020
- Phone: (801) 984-7101
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.sjb-parish.org/
- Flocknote: stjohnthebaptistutah.flocknote.com
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. James McHugh, O.F.S.F.1981
Appointed first pastor of St. John the Baptist Mission by Bishop William K. Weigand; first Mass offered Easter Sunday 1981.
- Rev. Terence M. (Msgr.) Moore1999–2013
First pastor of the parish when it was established April 6, 1999; oversaw move into Skaggs Catholic Center, construction of the new church (dedicated 2003), dedication of the Rosary Prayer Grotto (2007), and the 2013 'Burn the Mortgage' Mass. Retired April 2013 and continued as Pastor Emeritus.
- Msgr. Joseph MayoAugust 2013 – July 2017
Succeeded Msgr. Moore; later retired from active ministry.
- Rev. Rick ShermanAugust 2017 – August 2019
Assigned pastor by Bishop Oscar Solis; retired August 2019.
- Rev. Stephen M. TilleyAugust 2019 – present
Appointed Administrator August 2019 by Bishop Oscar Solis; named Pastor August 2020 and officially installed September 13, 2020. Also serves as Utah State Prison Chaplain.