About St. John the Evangelist · El Dorado, Kansas
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Wichita serving El Dorado, Kansas, and the surrounding Butler County community. Established in 1890 by Bishop John Hennessy, the parish worships in its current church building dedicated on May 1, 1955, and is now home to roughly 451 registered families and about 1,185 individual Catholics. Under the pastoral leadership of Rev. John P. Lanzrath, the parish is known for its strong liturgical life, including daily Mass, perpetual-style Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Tuesdays through Thursdays, and a recently completed sanctuary renovation dedicated in February 2026. The parish runs an extensive formation program for all ages — including religious education for K–12 students, adult faith formation (the "School of Discipleship"), RCIA ("What Catholics Believe"), and women's and youth ministries — and has a distinctive outreach through the Kolbe Prison Ministry Retreat at the nearby El Dorado Correctional Facility.
- Established
- 1890
- Patron
- St. John the Evangelist
- Rector
- Rev. John P. Lanzrath
- Diocese
- Diocese of Wichita
Why belong here
St. John the Evangelist offers a full sacramental and devotional life — daily and Sunday Mass, frequent Confession, and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament three days a week from early morning until midnight — supported by a parish of about 450 families in El Dorado. It is a parish that invests heavily in formation at every age, from K–12 religious education on Wednesday nights and a youth group for grades 6–12, to the School of Discipleship for adults, RCIA ("What Catholics Believe"), women's Bible studies like Walking with Purpose, and a Rosary Makers group. Members also live their faith outward through the Knights of Columbus Council #2296, the Legion of Mary, the annual Kolbe Prison Ministry Retreat at the El Dorado Correctional Facility, the summer Totus Tuus retreat, and pro-life efforts like the Baby Bottle Campaign supporting Kansans for Life. Whether you are Catholic, returning after time away, or seeking a spiritual home, Fr. John and the parish family welcome you to join the pilgrim journey of following Jesus Christ.
Mass times at St. John the Evangelist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 7:30 – 8:00 a.m.
- Wednesday: 5:30 – 6:10 p.m.
- Saturday: 4:00 – 5:15 p.m.
- By appointment — call Fr. John at the parish office (316-321-4796)
- Also available 20 minutes prior to weekday Mass
Adoration times
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 6:00 a.m. – 12:00 Midnight (in the Church / new Adoration Chapel in the rear of the sanctuary)
- Per Diocese of Wichita directory: 8:00 a.m. Tuesday – 8:00 a.m. Saturday
Parish Identity and Mission
St. John the Evangelist is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Wichita serving El Dorado, Kansas, and the surrounding Butler County area. The parish family identifies itself in mission as disciples "empowered by the Holy Spirit, introducing others to Jesus Christ through evangelization." The patron, St. John the Evangelist, gives the parish its spiritual direction; his Gospel opens: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God." Under the current pastor, the parish has emphasized becoming "missionary disciples fully alive with the love of Jesus Christ."
- Founded 1890 by Bishop John Hennessy
- Patron: St. John the Evangelist (feast day December 27)
- Diocese of Wichita
- Approx. 451 registered families / 1,185 individual Catholics
History and 2025–2026 Renovation
The parish was established in 1890 by Bishop John Hennessy, and the present church building was dedicated on May 1, 1955. The parish marked the 70th anniversary of that dedication in 2025 after a multi-year planning and capital campaign effort. Beginning with a Steier Group planning study in 2024 and a capital campaign that raised over $905,000 by February 2026, the parish undertook a comprehensive renovation that included installing a previously-stored marble altar, removing the steps to the tabernacle, creating an Adoration Chapel in the rear of the sanctuary, replacing the kneelers, improving accessibility, and replacing flooring. On February 21, 2026, Bishop Carl A. Kemme presided at the dedication of the new altar and renovated sanctuary.
- 1890: Parish founded by Bishop John Hennessy
- 1955: Current church dedicated (May 1)
- 2024: Steier Group planning study launched
- 2026 (Feb. 21): Bishop Carl A. Kemme dedicates renovated altar and sanctuary
Pastor and Parish Staff
The parish is led by Rev. John P. Lanzrath, who became pastor of St. John the Evangelist in 2018 after a long career of diocesan service that included Vicar General, Vicar for Priests, Director of the Spiritual Life Center, and pastor of St. John, Clonmel. He was ordained May 28, 1988. The parish office is staffed by Lynda Cope, Parish Secretary/Bookkeeper, with Susan Holthaus serving as Director of Religious Education. The parish was previously served by Fr. Mike Nolan, who during his pastorate acquired the marble altar now installed in the renovated sanctuary.
- Pastor: Rev. John P. Lanzrath (2018–present; ordained 1988)
- Parish Secretary/Bookkeeper: Lynda Cope — [email protected]
- Director of Religious Education: Susan Holthaus
- Fr. Mike Nolan: former pastor
Faith Formation for Children and Youth
St. John the Evangelist offers a full K–12 religious education program that meets on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., with families encouraged to attend the 6:15 p.m. Wednesday Mass beforehand. The parish also hosts the annual summer Totus Tuus Retreat, a week-long day program that brings Catholic missionaries to lead catechesis for children and youth. Middle- and high-school students are invited to the parish Youth Group, which meets Sunday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in the Youth Room in the school basement.
- Religious Education for Grades K–12: Wednesdays 7:00–8:00 p.m.
- Totus Tuus summer retreat (day program)
- Youth Group for Grades 6–12: Sundays at 6:30 p.m.
- Class Mass practices and sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation
Adult Faith Formation — School of Discipleship
The parish describes its adult formation program as the "School of Discipleship." It runs both Sunday-morning (9:45–10:45 a.m.) and Monday-evening (7:00–8:00 p.m.) sessions of its current video series, "Metanoia," which explores important sites in the Holy Land. The parish also offers "Foundations of Faith: A Journey Through the Catechism" and a "Kairos" Bible study for college students. The parish subscribes to FORMED — a Catholic streaming library of Bible studies, movies, talks, and children's programming — free to parishioners.
- School of Discipleship — Sun 9:45 a.m. and Mon 7:00 p.m.
- Current series: "Metanoia" (Holy Land video series)
- Adult Bible Study: "Foundations of Faith: A Journey Through the Catechism"
- Kairos Bible Study for College Students
- FORMED parish subscription — free Catholic Netflix-style library
Becoming Catholic (RCIA)
Those interested in learning about the Catholic faith or joining the Church are invited to the parish's "What Catholics Believe" class — the parish's Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Classes meet Sunday mornings at 9:45 a.m. in the school building (Kindergarten Room), and inquiries can be directed to Fr. John at the parish office. The 2025–2026 RCIA cycle began Sunday, August 31, 2025 and continues through April 2026.
- "What Catholics Believe" RCIA class
- Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in the school
- Contact Fr. John at 316-321-4796
Parish Groups, Service, and Outreach
The parish supports a wide array of groups and outreach ministries. The Knights of Columbus Council #2296 meets the third Tuesday of the month and offers up to $100 to help parish youth attend discernment weekends. The Legion of Mary and Women Walking with Purpose (studying Esther in early 2025) provide community for adults. Outreach efforts include the annual Kolbe Prison Ministry Retreat at El Dorado Correctional Facility, the summer Totus Tuus retreat, and the annual Baby Bottle Campaign supporting Kansans for Life.
- Knights of Columbus Council #2296 (3rd Tuesday, 7:00 p.m.)
- Legion of Mary
- Women Walking with Purpose
- Rosary Makers (Tuesday afternoons)
- Kolbe Prison Ministry Retreat at El Dorado Correctional Facility
- Baby Bottle Campaign for Kansans for Life
- Holy Communion to the Homebound (Friday after 7:00 a.m. Mass)
Liturgical and Music Ministry
St. John the Evangelist has been described by the bishop as "a singing parish," and the choir (including members Grace Wise, Niomi Ndirangu, Samantha Somes, and Annabelle Wise) led the music at the February 2026 sanctuary rededication. The parish coordinates lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, altar servers, greeters, and gift bearers through a published Ministry Schedule, and uses the renovated sanctuary — featuring a marble altar, new kneelers, improved lighting, the Adoration Chapel, and retained stained glass and Stations of the Cross — as the heart of parish worship.
- Parish choir
- Lectors, EMHCs, altar servers, greeters, gift bearers
- Daily Rosary after Mass
- New marble altar and Adoration Chapel (dedicated Feb. 21, 2026)
Communication, Giving, and Office
The parish communicates with parishioners primarily through Flocknote — over 400 households have signed up by texting HOUR to 84576 — and through a weekly bulletin (PDFs posted on the parish website). Online giving is available through a secure link on the website. The parish office is open Monday–Thursday 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., reachable at 316-321-4796 or [email protected]; Fr. John can be reached at [email protected].
- Flocknote: text HOUR to 84576
- Weekly bulletin archive on stjohneldorado.com
- Online giving via parish website
- Parish office: Mon–Thu 9:00–4:00; Fri 9:00–12:00
Contact and Visiting
The parish invites newcomers and visitors to introduce themselves to Fr. John after any of the Sunday Masses. The physical address is 302 North Denver, El Dorado, Kansas 67042, with the parish phone 316-321-4796 and email [email protected]. Fr. John personally welcomes anyone — long-time residents, newcomers, returning Catholics, or those still searching — to join the parish's pilgrim journey.
- Address: 302 North Denver, El Dorado, KS 67042
- Phone: 316-321-4796
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: stjohneldorado.com
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Mike Nolan
Former pastor; during his tenure he was able to acquire the marble altar that was later installed during the 2025–2026 sanctuary renovation.
- Fr. John P. Lanzrath2018–present
Current pastor; born January 27, 1960; ordained May 28, 1988. Previously served in numerous diocesan roles including Vicar General, Vicar for Priests, Director of the Spiritual Life Center, and pastor of St. John, Clonmel. Arrived at St. John the Evangelist, El Dorado, in 2018.