About St. John the Baptist · Harrison, Ohio
St. John the Baptist is a Roman Catholic parish in Harrison, Ohio, in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, dedicated to helping people worship God, making disciples, baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all that Jesus commanded. Founded in 1851 by poor German Catholic immigrants who settled the Harrison farmland in the 1830s, the parish is now one of the largest in western Hamilton County with more than 2,150 registered families. It operates a PK-8 Catholic school (serving the community since 1872), a Parish School of Religion, a Spanish Mass ministry, a perpetual Adoration Chapel, and active youth, young adult, Knights of Columbus, and St. Vincent de Paul ministries.
- Established
- 1851
- Patron
- St. John the Baptist
- Rector
- Rev. Paul Ruwe
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Why belong here
St. John the Baptist offers something rare — a deep sense of rooted parish identity combined with the programs and reach of a large Catholic community. With over 1,400–2,150 active families, the parish runs a full Parish School of Religion plus a PK-8 day school (in continuous operation since 1872), a vibrant youth ministry (K-12) that sends teens to the Steubenville Youth Conferences and runs mission trips, a Young Adult ministry called 'The Gathering' with Bible study and Theology on Tap, and longstanding parish-twinning partnerships with Santa Cruz in El Salvador and Holy Cross in Jackson, Kentucky. The parish's perpetual Adoration Chapel (open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week), weekly Spanish Mass, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Knights of Columbus council, Soup Kitchen team, and Parish Hygiene Pantry give parishioners concrete, ongoing ways to serve — and Pastor Fr. Jeff Kemper personally invites newcomers to reach out so that no one feels lost in a parish of this size.
Mass times at St. John the Baptist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday after 7:30 AM Mass until finished
- Tuesday 6:15 PM – 7:00 PM
- Saturday 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM (some listings)
- Anytime by appointment
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration Chapel open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (accessed from the rear entrance of the church)
- Eucharistic Exposition: Third Thursday of the month — exposed Wednesday evening at 6:00 PM through Thursday at 6:00 PM
Parish History
Founded in 1851 by German Catholic immigrants, St. John the Baptist is now in its fourth church. The earliest settlers came in the 1830s, and the parish grew from humble gatherings at John Goeble's home and a small brick church on Elm Street to a thriving community of more than 2,150 registered families today. Key milestones include the 1866 arrival of the first resident priest, Fr. Desideratus Rombouts; the 1876 construction of the second church; the 1894 arrival of the Sisters of Charity to teach in the parish school; the 1922 dedication of the third church by Archbishop Moeller; the 1955 dedication of a new school; and the June 1, 2019, dedication of the fourth and current church by Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr.
- 1851 — First church built on Elm Street (small brick, with bells)
- 1866 — Fr. Desideratus Rombouts becomes first resident priest; Catholic Cemetery deeded
- 1872 — Parish school opens
- 1876 — Second church built at Harrison Ave and Hill Street
- 1891 — Three-story school built; Sisters of Charity arrive in 1894
- 1922 — Third church dedicated by Archbishop Moeller on November 5
- 1955 — New school dedicated October 30
- 2001 — Sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary Mass with Archbishop Pilarczyk
- 2003 — Land purchased on Carolina Trace Road for a future church
- 2008 — Fr. Jeff Kemper appointed pastor (July 1)
- 2017 — Ground broken for fourth church (September)
- 2019 — Fourth church dedicated June 1 by Archbishop Schnurr
Faith Formation & School
Faith formation at St. John the Baptist runs from preschool through eighth grade and beyond, both through the parish school and the Parish School of Religion (PSR). St. John the Baptist School (sjbharrison.org) is a Catholic, coed PK-8 elementary school in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati serving students from Harrison and the surrounding Ohio and Indiana communities; it has been operating continuously since 1872. Students in Grade 2 receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion, and 8th-grade students receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
- St. John the Baptist School — Preschool through 8th grade
- 1:14 teacher-student ratio; 1:1 technology for K-8
- Top 25% of Archdiocesan standardized test scores
- Parish School of Religion (PSR) — preschool through 8th grade, 230+ students
- Sacramental prep: Reconciliation & First Communion in Grade 2; Confirmation in Grade 8
- Weekly all-school Mass on Fridays at 9:00 AM
- Special Education: Intervention Specialists, Reading Specialist, Counselor, OT, Speech
Youth, Young Adult, and Adult Ministries
St. John Youth Ministries serves all youth in the area from Kindergarten through 12th grade, with K-6 events (Vacation Bible School, Fun in the Sun, Water Olympics, Totus Tuus, Parent Date Nights), quarterly Jr. High (Grades 7-8) gatherings, and weekly High School (Grades 9-12) Sunday-evening meetings. The parish sends a delegation to the Steubenville Summer Youth Conference each summer. Young Adults ('The Gathering,' college-age and older) meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays at 7:00 PM for Bible study, Theology on Tap, and outings, with many also serving in the St. Vincent de Paul furniture ministry and on mission trips.
- K-6 Youth events: VBS, Fun in the Sun, Water Olympics, Totus Tuus, Parent Date Nights
- Jr. High (Grades 7-8): quarterly meetings with dinner, fellowship, and faith
- High School (Grades 9-12): Sundays 6:30–8:30 PM year-round
- Steubenville Youth Conferences delegation (Summer 2026 group announced)
- Young Adult Ministry — Bible study, Theology on Tap, gatherings every 2nd & 4th Wednesday at 7 PM
- Bountiful Hearts Meal program
- Young Adult Mission Trip involvement
Outreach & Twinning
Continuing St. John the Baptist's 'long history of mission focus,' the parish maintains twinning relationships with Santa Cruz Parish in El Salvador and Holy Cross in Jackson, Kentucky, and an informal relationship with St. Leo Parish in South Fairmount, Cincinnati. The parish also runs a St. Vincent de Paul Society (513-300-7492), a Soup Kitchen Team, and a Parish Hygiene Pantry for families in need. Deacon Don Meyer Jr. is board chairman of Cincinnati-based CRISPAZ (Christians for Peace in El Salvador), a co-sponsor of the El Salvador pilgrimages.
- Twinning: Santa Cruz Parish, El Salvador (parishioners sponsor 104 Salvadoran children's education annually)
- Twinning: Holy Cross Parish, Jackson, Kentucky
- Informal relationship: St. Leo Parish, South Fairmount, Cincinnati
- St. Vincent de Paul Society: 513-300-7492
- Soup Kitchen Team
- Parish Hygiene Pantry for families in need
- Reach Out Pregnancy Center partnership
- Catholic Charities and Catholic Relief Services connections
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven Catholic Sacraments, with Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and Reconciliation available through the parish office. Marriage preparation requires at least six months' notice and contact with the priest; the parish describes marriage as 'a covenant, which is more than a contract,' echoing the Catechism's teaching on Christ's spousal love for the Church (CCC 1613).
- Baptism — contact the parish office
- First Communion and Reconciliation — Grade 2
- Confirmation — Grade 8 (service, retreat, parent meetings required)
- Marriage — at least 6 months of preparation; call the priest
- Anointing of the Sick / emergency sick calls: 513-367-9086 ext. 5
- Reconciliation — see schedule; appointments any time
Parish Staff & Contacts
Kemper and supported by a large lay staff including a Business Manager, Bookkeeper, Director of Religious Education, Music Director, Youth Minister, Pastoral Associate, Parish Secretary / Bulletin Editor, and Maintenance Supervisor. Fr. Edward J. Shine serves as Retired Pastor and Fr. William Dorrmann as Priest in Residence; Deacon Don Meyer Jr. assists throughout the parish.
- Rev. Jeffrey M. Kemper, Pastor — 513-367-9086 x 215
- Rev. Edward J. Shine, Retired Pastor — 513-202-0179
- Rev. William Dorrmann, Priest in Residence — 513-202-1735
- Deacon Donald Meyer Jr. — 513-367-2141
- Mike Newton, Business Manager — x 211
- Angie Land, Bookkeeper — x 214
- Joy Gemperline, Director of Religious Education — x 218
- Jessica Hollerman, Parish Secretary & Bulletin Editor — x 217
- Michael Johnson, Music Director — x 223
- Eric Hollis, Youth Minister — x 221
- Mike Meyer, Maintenance — x 212
- Lynda Noel, Pastoral Associate — x 216
- Susan Meymann, School Principal — 513-367-6826
Visit & Get Involved
Fr. Kemper personally invites newcomers: 'Sometimes, in a parish of this size, a person can at first feel lost or alone. If that is the situation for you, do not hesitate to contact the Parish Office.' The parish offers a Registration Form via the website and dozens of ways to share time, talent, and treasure — from RCIA sponsorship to the Knights of Columbus, Parish Hygiene Pantry, Soup Kitchen, youth ministry, and music ministry.
- Parish Registration Form available on stjb.net
- Become a Knight of Columbus (Catholic men 18+)
- Serve in RCIA / Faith Formation / Youth Ministry
- Help at the Parish Hygiene Pantry or Soup Kitchen
- Join the Music Ministry (contact Michael Johnson)
- Young Adult Ministry 'The Gathering'
- Read the bulletin, subscribe to Flocknote, or check the online calendar
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Nicholas Wachter1851 (initial pastor)
Missionary pastor to the founding German Catholic families; parish was originally to be named St. Nicholas in his honor.
- Fr. Desideratus Rombouts1866–1869
First resident priest; from Belgium. Purchased land at Harrison Avenue and Hill Street and planned a new church, but died in Belgium in 1869 before construction was complete.
- Fr. Gebhard Egger1870s
Built the second St. John the Baptist church (1876) at Harrison Avenue and Hill Street and a larger school.
- Fr. Bernard Moeller (later Msgr. Bernard Moeller)1890s
Built a new three-story school (1891) to house the Sisters of Charity, who arrived to teach in 1894. Celebrated the parish's diamond jubilee Mass in 1926 with Archbishop McNicholas presiding.
- Fr. Schrimluntil 1971
Departed the parish in 1971 during a decade of demographic change driven by I-74 and I-275.
- Fr. Andres1971–?
Succeeded Fr. Schriml; served with associates Frs. Hasselhoff, Rodriquez, Smith, and Lynch during the 1970s.
- Fr. Mark Gratschfrom 1977
Appointed pastor in 1977 with Fr. George Kunkel as associate. Oversaw major church renovation, new school building named for Sr. Marie Vianney Geil, and cemetery expansion.
- Fr. Edward J. Shine1988–2008
Celebrated his Golden Jubilee in 2007 and retired in 2008; established the parish's R.C.I.A. program (now over 350 initiates), parish twinning with Santa Cruz (El Salvador) and Holy Cross (Jackson, KY), and the sesquicentennial Mass with Archbishop Pilarczyk on October 14, 2001. Continues to serve the parish in retirement.
- Fr. Jeffrey M. Kemper2008–present
Came from 17 years on the faculty of the Athenaeum of Ohio / Mt. St. Mary's Seminary. Oversaw the building and June 1, 2019 dedication of the parish's fourth church on the Carolina Trace Road farmland purchased by Fr. Shine in 2003.