About St. John the Baptist · Mankato, Minnesota
St. John the Baptist is a Roman Catholic parish in Mankato, Minnesota, belonging to the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. Founded in 1884 by Bishop Grace and assigned its first pastor, Fr. John Prior, the parish celebrated its first Mass on August 2, 1885, at South Broad and Hickory Streets. Rooted in the city's early Irish Catholic community, St. John's now serves roughly 1,300 families with daily and weekend Masses, a perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel (opened in 2002), extensive Faith Formation programming, and outreach such as the Simon Ministry for the poor and homeless. The parish mission is: 'With the Holy Spirit pouring the love of God into our hearts, we invite people to Christ by living like Christ through prayer, service, and learning.'
- Established
- 1884 (parish established); first Mass celebrated August 2, 1885
- Patron
- St. John the Baptist
- Rector
- Father Mark McNea (since July 1, 2025)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Winona-Rochester
Why belong here
St. John's is a large, active parish rooted in 130+ years of Mankato Catholic life — about 1,300 families worshipping together with daily Mass, a Saturday Vigil, and two Sunday Masses that consistently draw families with children. Worship is supported by a 24/7 Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel (open since 2002) and by a full Faith Formation program for preschool through Confirmation with more than 400 enrolled children. Outreach is tangible — the Simon Ministry welcomes the poor and homeless through the parish doors each week, the Journey to Justice Committee advocates for social concerns, and Phone and Email Prayer Networks lift the intentions of parishioners and neighbors. With Loyola Catholic School as its partner and Calvary Cemetery on file, St. John's offers a complete spiritual home for every stage of life.
Mass times at St. John the Baptist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays at 4:30 pm (in the Reconciliation Room)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in the Adoration Chapel — open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, since January 6, 2002
Parish History & Heritage
St. John the Baptist was established in 1884 by Bishop Grace as Mankato's second Catholic parish, ministering originally to the English-speaking (largely Irish) community while Ss. Peter and Paul served the German Catholics. The first Mass was celebrated on Sunday, August 2, 1885, in a new church at South Broad and Hickory Streets. Successive pastors built the physical and spiritual foundations of the parish over more than 130 years: paying off the mortgage by 1901, electrifying the church, adding a side chapel and parish house in the 1920s, launching a parochial school in 1942 with the School Sisters of Notre Dame, building the present church in 1961, formalizing Stewardship, opening the Perpetual Adoration Chapel in 2002, and completing a major $2.5 million renovation in the 2010s.
- 1884 — Bishop Grace establishes the parish; Fr. John Prior named first pastor
- August 2, 1885 — First Mass celebrated at South Broad & Hickory Streets
- 1901 — Mortgage paid off under Fr. Daniel Hughes (Sept. 28, 1901)
- 1901 — Fr. Robert Hughes succeeds his brother; steeple erected, gas converted to electric
- 1922–23 — Brick parish house, side chapel, vestry added; sanctuary redecorated
- 1925–1947 — Msgr. Dominic Mangan's 22-year pastorate; Palmer property purchased and school opened with School Sisters of Notre Dame
- 1951 — New school gymnasium under Msgr. Philip Matthews
- 1961 — Present church built
- January 6, 2002 — Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel opened under Fr. Richard Colletti
- 2008–2025 — Fr. John Kunz's pastorate; $2.5M renovation of church and Matthews Hall; Simon Ministry launched
- July 1, 2025 — Fr. Mark McNea becomes pastor
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The Faith Formation program is led by Fr. Mark McNea, Deacon Chris Walchuk, Kristy McCabe (Teen Faith Formation Coordinator), and Jeanne Fitterer (Children's Faith Formation Coordinator). The program equips families and catechists, working from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the 'Discover! Finding Faith in Life' and 'Go! Seek! Find!' curricula, and The Catholic Children's Bible. It is designed 'to know, love, and serve God,' with opportunities for children, youth, teens, adults, and families.
- Children's Liturgy of the Word — Preschool–Kindergarten, during 10:00 am Sunday Mass
- Grades 1–5 Faith Formation — Sundays 9:00–10:00 am
- First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion Preparation — Grades 1–2
- Grades 6–7 Faith Formation — Wednesday evenings 7:00–8:00 pm (small groups in homes and on campus)
- Confirmation Prep 1 (8th–12th grade entry) and Confirmation Prep 2
- Confirmation each November — includes Youth Reconciliation evening, Faith Learning Centers, interview with Fr. McNea or Deacon Chris, sponsor mentoring, saint research, and a practice
- Adult Faith Formation small groups and Faith Learning Centers
Music & Liturgy
Liturgy and music at St. John's are coordinated by Jaci James, Director of Liturgy/Music. Parishioners serve as Lectors, Ushers, Eucharistic Ministers, Liturgy Leaders and Assistants, Sacristans (Liturgy Scouts), and on Liturgy Setup/Cleanup teams. The Sunday Mass includes Children's Liturgy of the Word at 10:00 am, and the parish maintains a Sunday Experience Team as part of its Prayer and Liturgy ministries.
- Director of Liturgy/Music: Jaci James
- Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Ushers
- Liturgy Leaders/Assistants, Sacristans (Liturgy Scouts)
- Liturgy Setup/Cleanup
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (Preschool–K) at 10 am Mass
Outreach, Social Justice & Pastoral Care
Outreach is a defining mark of St. John's — the Simon Ministry opens the parish's doors weekly to the poor and homeless of the area, a ministry Fr. Woodford's tenure pioneered with social-service outreach at Mankato House Health Care Center (Laurels Peak) and support for a Vietnamese refugee family. Today's parish continues that work through the Journey to Justice Committee, pastoral visitation of nursing-home parishioners, the Phone Prayer Network, and Prepare/Enrich mentor couples who walk with engaged couples toward marriage.
- Simon Ministry — weekly outreach to the poor and homeless
- Journey to Justice Committee (social-justice advocacy)
- Pastoral Care / Visitation of Nursing Homes
- Phone Prayer Network
- Prepare/Enrich Mentor Couples for engaged couples
- Funeral Ministry
- Christian Initiation Sponsor / Sponsor Family
Stewardship & Getting Involved
Stewardship of Time, Talent and Treasure was implemented under Fr. Richard Colletti and 'is a way of life for parishioners of St. John's.' The parish publishes an annual Stewardship Ministry Opportunities sign-up sheet, inviting parishioners to serve across Faith Formation, Sacraments, Liturgy, Pastoral Care, Prayer, Social Justice, and Building & Grounds. The parish encourages every Faith Formation family to attend Mass weekly.
- Faith Formation — Catechist, Mentor, Confirmation Small-Group Leader, Office Help, Substitute
- Sacraments — Catechist for First Reconciliation/First Communion
- Liturgy — Leader, Assistant, Sacristan, Setup/Cleanup, Usher, Lector, Eucharistic Minister
- Pastoral Care — Sponsor/Sponsor Family, Funeral, Nursing-home visits
- Prayer — Sunday Experience Team, Adoration, Email Prayer Network
- Social Justice — Simon Ministry, Journey to Justice Committee
- Online and text giving available; text-to-give number: 1-507-428-2929
Parish Staff & Administration
St. John's is led by Pastor Fr. Mark McNea and a team that includes a parish Deacon, a Parish Ministry Sister, a Pastoral Care Associate/Parish Administrator, a Director of Liturgy/Music, two Faith Formation Coordinators (teen and children), and three administrative assistants in addition to maintenance staff. The parish is shepherded by a Pastoral Leadership Team, a Finance Council, and two elected Parish Trustees. The parish office is open Monday–Friday 8:30 am – 4:00 pm at 632 S. Broad Street (enter through Door #4).
- Fr. Mark McNea — Pastor
- Deacon Chris Walchuk
- Sister Mary Ann Kuhn — Parish Ministry
- Mike Logeais — Pastoral Care Associate / Parish Administrator
- Jaci James — Director of Liturgy/Music
- Kristy McCabe — Teen Faith Formation Coordinator
- Jeanne Fitterer — Children's Faith Formation Coordinator
- Susan Durbala — Administrative Assistant / Data
- Wendy Fell — Administrative Assistant / Communications
- Linda Hogan — Administrative Assistant / Communications
- Jon Fitterer — Building & Grounds Maintenance
- Pastoral Leadership Team: Dan Hansen, Jaci James, John Fell, Mike Logeais, Lisa Soupir, Mark Traxler, Nicole Goebel
- Finance Council: Pam Steffl, Michelle Updike, Steve Jansen, James Loaney, Mike Ludvik, Ryan McCabe, Joe Meidl, Tom Schueneman
- Parish Trustees: Najwa Massad, Gerald Hicks
Loyola Catholic School & Calvary Cemetery
St. John's has 189 students enrolled in the Loyola Catholic School system, the parish's partner school. The parish campus also includes an ongoing relationship with Calvary Cemetery; for cemetery matters, contact Terry Miller at the parish office number (507-625-3131) or 507-387-5784 / 507-995-1010.
- Loyola Catholic School — 507-388-0600 — loyolacatholicschool.org
- Loyola Ambassador (St. John's liaison): Natalie Wiebold — 608-772-7994
- Calvary Cemetery — Terry Miller — 507-387-5784 / cell 507-995-1010
Contact & Visit
Parish Office: 632 South Broad Street, Mankato, MN 56001. Enter through Door #4. Office hours are Monday–Friday 8:30 am – 4:00 pm. Phone 507-625-3131; Email [email protected]. Mass is celebrated Tuesday–Friday at 8:15 am, Saturday Vigil at 5:15 pm, and Sunday at 8:00 and 10:00 am. Reconciliation is Saturday at 4:30 pm. The Perpetual Adoration Chapel is open around the clock.
- Address: 632 South Broad Street, Mankato, MN 56001
- Phone: 507-625-3131
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
- Website: stjohnscatholicchurch.com
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John Prior1884–c.1901
Founding pastor; celebrated first Mass on August 2, 1885, in the original church at South Broad and Hickory Streets.
- Fr. Daniel Hughesc.1901
Worked to pay off the church's early debt, partly through pew rents of $7.50–$20; mortgage cleared September 28, 1901. Died October 1909.
- Fr. Robert Hughes1901–1925
Brother of Fr. Daniel. Shingled roof, erected a steeple, converted gas lighting to electricity, added a Way of the Cross in memory of his brother. Retired November 1925 due to ill health.
- Msgr. Dominic Mangan1925–1947
Served 22 years through the Depression and World War II. Purchased the Palmer property to launch St. John's own school, staffed by the School Sisters of Notre Dame.
- Msgr. Philip Matthews1947–1970
Built new school gymnasium (1951) and the present parish church (1961). Relieved of duties in 1970; died 1985. Matthews Hall is named for him.
- Fr. Woodford1970s
Expanded social-service ministry (Laurels Peak / Mankato House Health Care Center), championed foreign missions, sponsored a Vietnamese refugee couple, and helped merge St. Joseph–St. John's School.
- Fr. Joseph Cashman1977–1985
Refurbished the church's physical assets and the grounds.
- Fr. Francis Kunz1985–1996
Continued parish programs and saw the RENEW process to completion.
- Fr. Richard Colletti1996–2008
Added an elevator, acquired the former school building and Palmer house (now rectory), implemented Stewardship of Time, Talent and Treasure, and opened the Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel on January 6, 2002.
- Fr. John Kunz2008–2025
Nephew of Fr. Francis Kunz. Led a $2.5 million renovation of church and Matthews Hall, launched the Simon Ministry for the poor and homeless. Retired June 30, 2025.
- Fr. Mark McNea2025–present
Became pastor on July 1, 2025.