About St. John the Baptist · Plymouth, Wisconsin
St. John the Baptist is a Catholic parish in Plymouth, Wisconsin serving the community for over 150 years. Part of a collaborative grouping with St. Thomas Aquinas in Elkhart Lake, the parish counts more than 3,800 members across roughly 1,400 families and operates both a parish school (preschool through grade school) and a faith formation program. Its mission centers on proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ, and its vision is to form parishioners into bold Disciples of Christ, embracing lifelong faith formation, worship, and service.
- Established
- 1848
- Patron
- St. John the Baptist
- Rector
- Fr. Subi Thomas, MCBS
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Why belong here
St. John the Baptist offers a deeply rooted Catholic community more than 150 years strong with over 3,800 members and 1,400 families. The parish welcomes newcomers to register as parishioners, runs a parish school, offers an OCIA process (formerly RCIA) for those entering the Catholic Church, and provides weekly Eucharistic Adoration, the Rosary, sacramental preparation for youth and adults, and shared Masses with its partner parish of St. Thomas Aquinas in Elkhart Lake. Families, young adults, and the homebound are all supported through pastoral care, faith formation, and the parish cemetery.
Mass times at St. John the Baptist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 2nd and 4th Saturdays, 9:30 am
- Also offered following the Sunday Mass by appointment; private confessions available by calling the parish office (920-892-4006)
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration: Wednesdays, 3:00 – 6:00 pm in Church
Parish History
According to the parish's own history page, the first Catholic Mass in the Plymouth area was celebrated in 1848 in a settler's home. By 1896 a parish school had opened with 43 students, and by 1897 the school was firmly in place under Fr. Treeck and the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity from what is now Silver Lake College in Manitowoc. The parish reached milestones over the following century, including its first Communion class in 1956, the construction of its current church building in 1987, and the building of the present rectory in 2004. Today the community numbers more than 3,800 members in roughly 1,400 families.
- 1848 — First Catholic Mass in a settler's home
- 1896 — Parish school opens with 43 students
- 1897 — School established under Fr. Treeck & Franciscan Sisters
- 1956 — First Communion Class milestone
- 1987 — Current church built
- 2004 — Current rectory built
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a Youth Religious Education program beginning in 1st grade and continuing through Confirmation, with classes meeting on Wednesdays from 6:15 to 7:15 pm. First Holy Communion is prepared for in 2nd grade, and Confirmation is prepared for in 11th grade. Grades 1–5 use the 'Discover! Finding Faith in Life' program; grades 6–8 use 'The Catholic Connections' program. The high school program blends prayer, community, and exploration of the Catholic faith. Students in 8th grade and older are also invited on a Catholic Heart Workcamp mission trip.
- Youth Religious Education (grades 1–10) — Wednesdays, 6:15–7:15 pm
- First Holy Communion (2nd grade)
- Confirmation (11th grade)
- Catholic Heart Workcamp mission trip (8th grade and older)
- Scholarships available through the financial assistance request form
Adult Faith Formation & OCIA
Adults exploring Catholicism are invited into the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), the parish's process of conversion, faith formation, prayer, study, and fellowship leading to reception of the sacraments in the spring. A parish team walks alongside inquirers throughout the journey.
- OCIA process for those becoming Catholic
- Adult faith formation opportunities
- Inquiry interest form available via the parish website
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all the usual sacraments: Baptism (following the Sunday Mass), Marriage (with at least six months' notice), First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion (via 2nd-grade preparation), Confirmation (11th-grade preparation), and Communion / pastoral visits for the sick and homebound. Reconciliation is offered twice a month and by appointment.
- Baptism — after Sunday Mass
- Marriage — contact parish office six months in advance
- Reconciliation — 2nd & 4th Saturdays, plus by appointment
- First Communion / Confirmation preparation
- Communion for the sick and homebound
Parish School
St. John the Baptist operates a Catholic parish school (with the original school having been founded in 1896), serving preschool through grade school under Principal Amy Nelson. The school continues the parish's tradition of Catholic education rooted in the faith formation begun by the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity.
- Preschool through grade school program
- Principal: Amy Nelson
- School phone: 920-893-5961
- School email: [email protected]
Leadership, Staff & Pastoral Care
Parish leadership includes Fr. Subi Thomas as pastor, lay trustees Kevin Widder (Treasurer) and Josette Svitter (Secretary), and a Pastoral Council chaired by Erin Gramza with members Jerry Baltus, Richard Brisson, Becky Bub, Philip Coppersmith, David Flood, Amy Geiser, Larry Menting, and Don Mersberger. Staff include Lisa Schoneman (Director of Administrative Services), Scott Dedlow (Liturgy and Worship, Facilities), Julie Krueger (Administrative Assistant), Katie Kleiber (Communications), and Jacqueline Guilbeault (Director of High School Formation & Young Adult Ministries). Pastoral Care supports the sick and homebound with Communion visits.
- Pastor: Fr. Subi Thomas, MCBS
- Trustees: Kevin Widder (Treasurer), Josette Svitter (Secretary)
- Pastoral Council Chair: Erin Gramza
- Pastoral Care: Communion for the sick and homebound
Parish Cemetery
The parish operates St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery, described by the parish as a symbol of the extended community of believers, a community unbroken by death, and a reminder to prepare throughout life.
- Open to parishioners and their families
- Reflects the parish's communion across generations