About St. John the Baptist · Suncook, New Hampshire
St. John the Baptist Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Manchester serving the Suncook Valley of New Hampshire from its location at 10 School Street on the corner of Main Street in Allenstown. Founded in 1873 by an Oblate missionary for a majority population of French-Canadian immigrants, the parish was originally named Saint Jean Baptiste (still affectionately called "St. Jean's") and continues to celebrate more than 150 years of continuous Catholic life in the region. Today the parish offers weekend and weekday Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, a regional Family Faith Formation program, a weekly Community Table meal, and a variety of liturgical and devotional ministries rooted in its Franco-American heritage.
- Established
- 1873
- Patron
- St. John the Baptist (St. Jean Baptiste)
- Rector
- Very Rev. Michael Gendron
- Diocese
- Diocese of Manchester (New Hampshire)
Why belong here
St. John the Baptist is a 150+ year-old parish where parishioners care for one another and their neighbors in tangible ways — from a weekly Tuesday Community Table serving a hot, full meal to anyone in the Suncook Valley for just $5, to a Rosary Walk through the cemetery praying for the dead and those in need, to a regional Family Faith Formation program shared with Holy Rosary (Hooksett) and St. Peter's (Auburn). Active liturgical ministries (altar servers, lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and a Music Ministry led by a choir director since 2014) are supported by long-standing lay societies such as the Ladies of Sainte Anne Sodality (active 120+ years), the Mission Rosebush Society of Ste. Thérèse (since 1925), and the Knights of Columbus. With daily and weekly Mass, Eucharistic Adoration on Mondays, Saturday and Monday Reconciliation, and a pastor and parochial vicar who are personally known to the flock, it is a parish where newcomers are welcomed and the fullness of Catholic tradition — French-Canadian and broader — is still lived.
Mass times at St. John the Baptist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM
- Monday 5:30–6:20 PM (before 6:30 PM Mass)
- By appointment (call 603-485-3113)
Adoration times
- Monday 5:30–6:30 PM (concurrent with reconciliation; followed by 6:30 PM Mass)
- Rosary prayed before each weekday Mass
Our History — 150+ Years of Faith in the Suncook Valley
Our parish was founded as Saint Jean Baptiste in 1873 — ten years before the founding of the Manchester Diocese — to serve a majority population of French-Canadian immigrants in the Suncook Valley. Still affectionately known as "St. Jean's," the parish has weathered many storms (including the church being literally struck by lightning) and many changes (including the shift from French-speaking to English-speaking worship), yet the noble wooden church built in 1873 still stands at the crest of Main Street, inviting all who enter into the Fullness of Life in Christ.
- Founded early 1873 by Oblate missionary Rev. Jean-Baptiste Richer from Manitoba
- First parish record: baptism of Honoré Vien on January 3, 1873
- First year: 83 baptisms and 29 marriages; faithful estimated at nearly 1,000
- Land acquired April 9, 1873 from the China Manufacturing Company on Hooksett Road (Main Street)
- Deed specified church/parochial buildings allowed — but never a cemetery
- Original territory: Allenstown, Pembroke, Epsom, Hooksett, and Pittsfield; Hooksett and Pittsfield later became their own parishes
- The 1873 wooden church was blessed by Bishop Bacon in the fall of 1873 and still serves as the house of worship
- A parish cemetery (separate from the church land) was established and used, with an unmarked section for the poor until 1957
- Old convent building later condemned and torn down; Sisters' influence is remembered
Our Clergy and Pastoral Staff
The parish is currently served by Pastor Very Rev. Michael Gendron and Parochial Vicar Rev. Andre Nadeau, with the liturgical assistance of Deacons William Lavallee and Sean Magee Sr. The parish rectory and offices are at 10 School Street, Suncook, NH 03275-1917 (phone 603-485-3113, fax 603-485-2113, email [email protected]).
- Very Rev. Michael Gendron — Pastor (welcomed July 2021, formerly pastor of St. Peter's in Auburn)
- Rev. Andre Nadeau — Parochial Vicar (welcomed June 2025, newly ordained)
- Deacon William Lavallee
- Deacon Sean Magee Sr.
- Geraldine Veroneau — Music & Choir Director (since 2014)
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners of all ages are invited to take an active role in the Sacred Liturgy — whether at the ambo, the altar, the Communion rail, or in the choir loft. Newcomers and returning ministers are warmly welcomed.
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist — distribute Holy Communion at Mass and bring it to the homebound; contact Don Carrier (603-485-4813, [email protected])
- Lectors / Proclaimers of the Word — workbook provided; practice time at the ambo for new lectors
- Altar Servers — any young person who has received First Communion is invited; contact Fr. Andre Nadeau at 603-485-3113
- Liturgy Committee
- Music Ministers / Choir — under Geraldine Veroneau since 2014; open to all, no music-reading required, no permanent commitment needed
- Church cleaning and decorating volunteers — "many hands make light work"
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation is offered as a regional Family Faith Formation Program shared by the parishes of St. John the Baptist (Suncook), Holy Rosary (Hooksett), and St. Peter's (Auburn). The program runs September through May for children in grades K–8, with the families and parish gathering monthly at St. Peter's Parish in Auburn, NH, plus assigned at-home activities. The three parishes also share one Director of Religious Education.
- Family Faith Formation for grades K–8 — September through May
- Monthly parish gatherings combined with Holy Rosary and St. Peter's
- Assigned at-home activities between gatherings
- Sacramental preparation for high-school-aged youth (contact the Faith Formation Coordinator directly)
- Director of Religious Education shared with Holy Rosary and St. Peter's
- Faith Formation Coordinator: [email protected] or 603-623-5429 ext. 4
- Weather cancelations announced on WMUR; look for St. John the Baptist Suncook or Holy Rosary Parish Hooksett
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven Catholic Sacraments. Couples are asked to notify the parish priest at least six months before a proposed wedding date, and Reconciliation is offered regularly as well as by appointment. Adults and older children seeking Baptism are directed to the parish's Initiation for Adults and Older Children resources.
- Baptism — call the rectory at (603) 485-3113; older children/adults directed to RCIA-style initiation
- Confirmation
- Eucharist (First Communion and ongoing)
- Reconciliation — Saturday 3 PM, Monday 5:30 PM, and by appointment
- Marriage — at least six months' notice; premarital counseling required
- Natural Family Planning classes available (contact the Donovans, 603-463-7456)
- Anointing of the Sick and homebound visits available through Extraordinary Ministers
Music Ministry
Music has been a vital part of the Sacred Liturgy at St. John the Baptist for decades. Since 2014 the program has been led by Music and Choir Director Geraldine Veroneau, and the choir sings at both weekend Masses throughout the year as well as on special celebrations. The parish actively welcomes new members — no music-reading skill is required, and there is no obligation to commit to every Sunday.
- Choir sings at both Masses and on special celebrations
- Music Director since 2014: Geraldine Veroneau
- Open to anyone interested — come to a rehearsal and try it out
- Encouragement for full congregational singing in addition to the choir
SJB Evangelizers — Works of Mercy
In the summer of 2015, on the Eve of the Year of Mercy, two parishioners (husband and wife) formed the SJB Evangelizers to perform the Spiritual Work of Mercy of Praying for the Living and the Dead. They lead the Rosary Walk through local cemeteries and the praying of the Divine Mercy Chaplet during Lent and on Divine Mercy Sunday.
- Rosary Walk — Saturday mornings at 9 AM sharp, rain or shine
- Alternates between the new St. John the Baptist Cemetery (River Road, Allenstown) and Holy Rosary Cemetery in Hooksett
- During inclement weather: gather at the SJB Cemetery Chapel or inside Holy Rosary Church
- Divine Mercy Chaplet prayed before every weekend Mass during Lent and on Divine Mercy Sunday
- Contacts: Don and Cindy Carrier (603-485-4813)
Parish Societies and Lay Organizations
Long-standing lay societies are a hallmark of parish life at St. Jean's — bringing generations together in service, prayer, and fundraising. New members are warmly welcomed.
- Ladies of Sainte Anne Sodality — 120+ years active in the parish; meets 3rd Tuesday of the month at 1 PM (March–June and September–November) in the church using the ramp entrance door; motto: "To serve the Church, the Family, the Parish"
- Mission Rosebush Society of Ste. Thérèse — in the parish since May 1925; meets 3 times a year (4th Thursday of April, September, December at 7 PM in the Upper Hall of the Parish Center); ~85 members; supports seminary education and the missions
- Knights of Columbus
- Intercessory Prayer Group / Prayer Chain
- Men's Ministry
- Women's Ministry
- Youth Ministry
- Children's Ministry
- Vacation Bible School
Community Table — Feeding the Suncook Valley
Every Tuesday at 5:00 PM, the parish hosts its Community Table in the Parish Hall — a delicious, wholesome, hot meal (with beverages and desserts) served to the community at large for only $5 per person. Open to all, it is a tangible expression of the parish's outreach beyond its own walls. The meal is paused in snowy/icy weather for safety and goes on a summer vacation, resuming in September.
- When: Tuesdays at 5:00 PM (weather permitting; on summer vacation until September)
- Where: Parish Hall at St. John the Baptist
- Cost: $5 per person (beverages and desserts included)
- Open to the community at large
- Scriptural motto: "I was hungry and you fed me …" — Matthew 25
Parish Life & Stewardship
Parishioners are encouraged to live the fullness of faith by getting involved — through ministries, societies, activities, and the parish's Stewardship Initiative Program. A simple online registration and stewardship form helps newcomers plug into the ministries and groups that match their gifts and interests.
- Parish Registration Form available online (and printable)
- Stewardship Initiative Program with online sign-up
- Faith Formation & Catechesis
- Liturgical Ministries — altar servers, Eucharistic ministers, lectors, musicians
- Intercessory Prayer Group / Prayer Chain
- Knights of Columbus
- Mission Rosebush Society of St. Thérèse
- Ladies of Ste. Anne
- SJB Evangelizers — Rosary Walk and more
- Community Table
- Bulletin and weekly announcements available on the parish website
Visit, Register, and Get in Touch
Whether you're a long-time parishioner, a returning Catholic, or visiting the Suncook Valley for the first time, St. John the Baptist welcomes you. The church and parish halls are wheelchair accessible, Mass is celebrated regularly throughout the week, and Confession is available Saturday afternoons, Monday evenings, and by appointment.
- Address: 10 School Street, Suncook, NH 03275-1917 (corner of Main Street, Allenstown)
- Phone: (603) 485-3113
- Fax: (603) 485-2113
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.catholicsuncook.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SJBSuncook/
- Diocese: Diocese of Manchester (Deanery: Capital; County: Merrimack)
- Accessibility: church and parish halls are wheelchair accessible
- Online Parish Registration and Stewardship forms available on the website
- Sunday Mass: 10:00 AM; Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Jean-Baptiste Richer, O.M.I.1873–
Oblate missionary from Manitoba who founded the parish; the parish took his own patron saint's name.
- Rev. Noel Plante1907–1930
5th Pastor; in May 1925 he gave permission and support for the founding of the Missionary Rosebush Society of Ste. Thérèse in St. Jean-Baptiste Parish.
- Rev. Adrien Longchamps
Administrator; passed away November 2020.
- Rev. John Finnigan
Retired priest in residence; passed away June 2021.
- Very Rev. Michael GendronJuly 2021–present
Welcomed as pastor in July 2021 from St. Peter's in Auburn; remains pastor as of 2025.
- Rev. David GagnonJuly 2021–2022
Newly ordained in 2021; served as parochial vicar before moving to his own parish in 2022.
- Rev. Roarke "Rory" Traynor2022–June 2025
Parochial vicar; introduced All Souls Day candlelight procession and optional kneelers for Holy Communion; departed June 2025.
- Rev. Andre NadeauJune 2025–present
Newly ordained; welcomed as parochial vicar in June 2025.