About St. John the Evangelist · Altoona, Pennsylvania
St. John the Evangelist Parish is a Catholic parish in the Lakemont neighborhood of Altoona, Pennsylvania, in the Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown. The parish was founded in 1922 as a mission from St. Mary's in Hollidaysburg and marked its 100th anniversary in 2022 with Bishop Mark Bartchak celebrating a Jubilee Mass. It is led by Monsignor Michael A. Becker as pastor, with Deacon Gene P. Neral assisting, and serves the faithful of Lakemont with daily and Sunday Masses, a robust faith formation program, Eucharistic Adoration, and outreach including a longtime food collection ministry and a relationship with St. Vincent de Paul.
- Established
- 1922
- Patron
- St. John the Evangelist
- Rector
- Monsignor Michael A. Becker
- Diocese
- Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown
Why belong here
St. John the Evangelist offers a welcoming Lakemont parish community with daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration several days a week, and a strong faith formation program spanning kindergarten through 11th grade, including the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for children ages 3 to 6. Its ministries reach beyond the parish walls through regular food collections, involvement with St. Vincent de Paul and St. Rose of Lima, and a school-building lease to Merakey that serves children with autism and intellectual challenges. The parish also hosts the Blair Concert Choral and has sent missions to Haiti, sponsoring Haitian school children — making it a parish with both deep local roots and a wider missionary spirit.
Mass times at St. John the Evangelist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00 PM
- Wednesday: 5:30 PM
Adoration times
- Monday: 8:00 AM (following Mass)
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM (following Mass)
- Wednesday: 5:30 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM (following Mass)
- Friday: 8:00 AM (following Mass)
About St. John the Evangelist Parish
St. John the Evangelist Parish is a Catholic community of faith serving the Lakemont neighborhood of Altoona, Pennsylvania, in the Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown. Founded in 1922 as a mission from St. Mary's in Hollidaysburg, the parish has grown into a vibrant worshipping community known for its warm welcome, daily Mass schedule, Eucharistic Adoration, and outreach beyond its walls. The parish celebrated its centennial in 2022, marked by a Jubilee Mass with Bishop Mark Bartchak and the completion of a striking frieze of murals by local artist Allen Capriotti.
A Century of Faith: Parish History
St. John's began in 1922 under its first pastor, Father Leo Bailey, originally worshipping in a small wooden church in Lakemont. A parish school was added in 1954 to expand Catholic education in the area. As the congregation outgrew the original building, the parish worshipped in the school gymnasium for many years until a large bequest made possible the construction of the current church — the mortgage on which was burned roughly eight years before the parish's 100th anniversary, according to Monsignor Michael Becker. The most recent chapter saw the parish school close after a merger formed Holy Trinity Catholic School with neighboring Catholic schools. Rather than leave the building empty, the parish leased it almost immediately to Merakey, a nonprofit developmental, behavioral health and education provider serving children with autism and intellectual challenges.
- Founded 1922 as a mission from St. Mary's, Hollidaysburg
- First pastor: Father Leo Bailey
- Parish school added in 1954
- Worship moved to school gymnasium for decades while a new church was sought
- Permanent church built thanks to a large bequest and fundraising
- Parish school closed when Holy Trinity Catholic School was formed
- Former school building leased to Merakey nonprofit for children with autism and intellectual challenges
- 100th anniversary Jubilee Mass celebrated by Bishop Mark Bartchak on June 26, 2022
- Time capsule buried May 28, 2022, at the parish school alumni reunion
The Capriotti Frieze & Church Art
Local artist Allen Capriotti created a series of large murals depicting the life of Christ and the parish's patron saint for the blank space between the windows and the ceiling running around the walls of the church. Work began in Capriotti's workshop in 2012; each panel — 4 feet high and 9.5 feet long — took about three months to complete, and the project was finished in time for the parish's 100th anniversary in 2022.
Pastoral Staff
The parish is served by a small, dedicated staff led by Monsignor Michael A. Becker as pastor and assisted by Deacon Gene P. Neral. Lay staff coordinate faith formation, music, business, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atrium, OCIA, and building maintenance.
- Monsignor Michael A. Becker — Pastor
- Deacon Gene P. Neral
- Patricia Jimenez — Director of Music
- Mimi Crevecoeur — Business Manager
- Diane Ryan — Faith Formation Coordinator/Secretary
- Iris Tatar — Director of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
- Pat & Sue Podoletz — OCIA
- Ken Dunmire — Maintenance
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a comprehensive Faith Formation Program for children in kindergarten through 11th grade, meeting bi-weekly on Sundays from 9:15 AM to 10:45 AM, September through April. Sunday Mass attendance is a required part of the program. Students at Bishop Guilfoyle High School complete Confirmation preparation within the parish and should register for Religious Education before the start of 9th grade.
- Faith Formation: Grades K–11, Sundays 9:15–10:45 AM (September–April)
- Confirmation Preparation: 9th–11th grade, with retreats and community service
- Children's Liturgy of the Word: K–5th grade during the 10 AM Mass
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Children ages 3 to 6 are invited to discover their relationship with God in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. In a specially prepared environment called the Atrium, children listen to Holy Scripture, explore the parables Jesus shared about the Kingdom of God, and work with materials designed to aid their continued meditation and deepen their relationship with God through the Holy Spirit. Registration forms are available at the parish office and are due by September 1.
- Ages 3 to 6
- Montessori-based Atrium environment
- Director: Iris Tatar
OCIA — Becoming Catholic
The parish offers the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formerly RCIA) for those seeking God through membership in the Catholic Church. Pat and Sue Podoletz lead the OCIA process at St. John's.
Sacraments
St. John's celebrates the seven sacraments with preparation programs for each, administered through the parish office.
- Baptism — arrangements through the Pastor; Baptismal Preparation Class required
- Confirmation — 9th–11th grade, integrated into Religious Education
- Marriage — arrange nine months in advance; Pre-Marriage Preparation Program expected
- OCIA — for unbaptized adults and those seeking full communion with the Catholic Church
Outreach & Missionary Spirit
The parish has a long tradition of reaching beyond its walls. Regular Food Collections support those in need locally, and the parish has been active with the St. Vincent de Paul and St. Rose of Lima societies. The parish has sent missions to Haiti and sponsors Haitian school children. After its school closed, the parish quickly leased the building to Merakey, a nonprofit serving children with autism and intellectual challenges — turning a closure into continued community ministry.
- Food Collection ministry
- St. Vincent de Paul
- St. Rose of Lima
- Haiti mission and school sponsorship
- Merakey lease — former school building now serves children with autism and intellectual challenges
Music & Liturgy
Patricia Jimenez serves as Director of Music for the parish. The church also serves as a musical venue in the community, hosting the Blair Concert Choral.
Lenten & Seasonal Devotions
During Lent, the parish gathers on Friday evenings for Eucharistic Adoration beginning at 5:00 PM, followed by Stations of the Cross at 5:30 PM and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. A Parish Penance Service is also held during Lent, with multiple visiting priests available to hear individual confessions in preparation for Easter.
Contact & Location
St. John the Evangelist Parish is located in the Lakemont neighborhood of Altoona, Pennsylvania. The parish office is reachable by phone and email, and new parishioners are warmly welcomed to register at the church office.
- Mailing Address: 309 Lotz Avenue, Lakemont, Altoona, PA 16602
- Alternate directory address: 344 Baynton Avenue, Lakemont, Altoona, PA 16602
- Phone: (814) 942-5503
- Email: [email protected]
- New Parishioners: register at the Church office
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Leo Bailey
First pastor when St. John's was established as an independent parish in Lakemont in 1922, after beginning as a mission from St. Mary's, Hollidaysburg.