About St. John the Evangelist · Encinitas, California
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of San Diego serving the coastal communities of Encinitas, Cardiff, Leucadia, and Olivenhain in North San Diego County, California. Established on February 23, 1946 by Bishop Charles F. Buddy, the parish was originally housed in a relocated Army chapel on Melrose Avenue before moving to its present 14.83-acre campus at 1001 Encinitas Boulevard in the late 1980s. Today it registers roughly 1,900 families with an active congregation of more than 3,000, offering daily Mass, perpetual Adoration, a K-8 parish school (St. John School), faith formation, youth and Hispanic ministries, and a Spanish Sunday Mass at noon.
- Established
- 1946
- Patron
- St. John the Evangelist
- Rector
- Father James Bahash
- Diocese
- Diocese of San Diego
Why belong here
St. John the Evangelist is a large, multigenerational Catholic parish with a deep coastal-North County heritage going back to 1946 and a parish school that has educated local children since 1957. Daily Mass (Mon–Sat), four weekend Masses (including a livestreamed Sunday Mass and a Spanish Mass at noon), 24-hour perpetual Adoration Monday through Saturday, and Saturday confessions make sacramental life accessible. Active ministries — St. Vincent de Paul, Knights of Columbus, Altar Society, Hispanic Ministry, youth/Confirmation, Faithways junior-high program, RCIA, Music Ministry, and Centering Prayer — give newcomers plenty of ways to get involved.
Mass times at St. John the Evangelist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM
- Saturday 5:00 PM
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Monday – Friday: 8:45 AM – 7:00 PM (perpetual Adoration)
- Saturday: 8:45 AM – 3:30 PM (perpetual Adoration)
Parish History
St. John the Evangelist was established on February 23, 1946 by Bishop Charles F. Buddy of San Diego to serve the coastal communities of Encinitas, Cardiff, Leucadia, and Olivenhain. The founding pastor, Rev. Patrick H. Linneman, gathered about 50 founding families, acquired a site on Melrose Avenue, and reassembled a former Camp Callan Army chapel into the parish's first church for roughly $42,000. Under Msgr. Michael O'Connor and his successor Msgr. Timothy Harnett, the parish grew to more than 800 families and in 1979 acquired 12.5 acres on Encinitas Boulevard. Bishop Leo T. Maher blessed the new site on September 9, 1984, construction began April 2, 1987, and the present 750-seat church was completed on what is now a 14.83-acre campus. Today the parish registers around 1,900 families.
- Founded February 23, 1946 by Bishop Charles F. Buddy
- First Pastor: Rev. Patrick H. Linneman
- First church: reassembled Camp Callan Army chapel on Melrose Avenue
- 1979: 12.5 acres purchased on Encinitas Blvd
- Site blessed by Bishop Leo T. Maher on September 9, 1984
- Construction of present church began April 2, 1987
- Site size: 14.83 acres; church seats 750; 220 parking spaces
Mass, Sacraments & Devotions
The parish celebrates daily Mass Monday through Saturday at 8:15 AM, with a Saturday Vigil at 4:00 PM and four Sunday Masses at 7:30, 9:00, 10:30 (livestreamed), and 12:00 noon (Spanish). Confessions are heard Saturday afternoons and by appointment. Perpetual Adoration is offered Monday through Saturday, with separate Spanish-language hours, and a Vocation Holy Hour is held on the first Friday of each month following the 8:00 AM Mass.
- Weekday Mass: Mon–Sat 8:15 AM
- Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM
- Sunday Masses: 7:30, 9:00, 10:30 AM (livestream), 12:00 PM (Spanish)
- Confessions: Sat 2:45–3:45 PM and 5:00 PM; by appointment
- Perpetual Adoration: Mon–Fri 8:45 AM–7:00 PM; Sat 8:45 AM–3:30 PM
- Daily Rosary: Mon–Sat 8:00 AM before Mass
- Tuesday Novena after morning Mass
- 1st Friday Vocation Holy Hour after 8:00 AM Mass
Parish School (St. John School)
St. John School is the parish's K-8 elementary school, opened in 1957 and now serving roughly 500 students from preschool through eighth grade. As a parish school it partners closely with the faith formation programs and offers sacramental preparation alongside academic instruction. Visitors and prospective families can contact the school office at (760) 944-8227 or visit www.saintjohnschool.com.
- Founded 1957
- Preschool through Grade 8
- Approximately 500 students
- Phone: (760) 944-8227
- Website: saintjohnschool.com
- Principal (as of 2016): Dan Schuh
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a full catechetical program for children and youth, including a Religious Education program for elementary grades, the Faithways junior-high program (Grades 7–8), Confirmation preparation, Children's Liturgy of the Word at the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass, and a Sunday Preschool Program for 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds held at St. John Preschool during the 9:00 AM Mass. Adult formation is offered through RCIA, Centering Prayer, and ongoing Adult Faith groups.
- Religious Education (K-6) — Ann McGinnis
- Faithways Junior High (Grades 7-8)
- Confirmation / Youth Ministry — Isaac Deken
- Children's Liturgy of the Word at 9:00 AM Mass
- Sunday Preschool for ages 3-5 at St. John Preschool
- R.C.I.A.
- Centering Prayer — Shirley Shetula
- Adult Faith Formation
Hispanic Ministry
Hispanic Ministry at St. John serves the parish's Spanish-speaking families with a Sunday noon Mass in Spanish, Spanish-language Religious Education and Confirmation catechesis, Perpetual Adoration in Spanish, Bible study sessions on Compassion led by Fr. Ben (in English), and ongoing community and sacramental support. Coordinator contact (as listed in 2016): Mary Moran, (760) 436-4366.
- Spanish Sunday Mass at 12:00 PM (noon)
- Spanish-language Religious Education and Confirmation catechesis
- Perpetual Adoration in Spanish — Lupe Cardona
- Hispanic Ministry Coordinator — Mary Moran, (760) 436-4366
Music & Liturgy
The parish Music Ministry supports all weekend and weekday liturgies, including the livestreamed 10:30 AM Sunday Mass. The parish has historically welcomed musicians and singers to share their talents; the current and recent Music Directors are Julie Marner (long-serving) and the parish invites contact through the parish office.
- Music Director — Julie Marner
- Supports weekend Masses, Sunday 10:30 AM livestream, and holy days
- Opportunities for instrumentalists and choir members
Parish Organizations & Outreach
St. John the Evangelist supports a wide network of lay organizations and service groups, including St. Vincent de Paul for those in need, the Knights of Columbus and Holy Name Society for Catholic men, the Altar Society, the Catholic Men's Fellowship, the St. John Seniors group, Culture of Life ministries, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, and Marriage Encounter. Perpetual Adoration is coordinated by lay volunteers (Ken Poggenburg is a long-standing coordinator) and offers English and Spanish hours.
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Knights of Columbus
- Holy Name Society
- Altar Society
- Catholic Men's Fellowship
- St. John Seniors
- Culture of Life
- Boy Scouts / Cub Scouts
- Marriage Encounter
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is currently led by Father James Bahash as Pastor, with Father Robert Kibaki, AJ serving as Associate Pastor and Deacon Bob Beiner assisting in diaconal ministry. The parish office team includes the Business Manager, Parish Secretary, Facilities Manager, Hispanic Ministry Coordinator, Director of Religious Education, Director of Youth/Confirmation, Assistant Youth Coordinator, and Music Director. Father Chris Bongato is among the priests also listed in the parish contact directory.
- Pastor: Father James Bahash
- Associate Pastor: Father Robert Kibaki, AJ
- Deacon: Deacon Bob Beiner
- Priests listed in contact directory: Father Chris Bongato
- Support staff: Business Manager, Parish Secretary, Facilities Manager, Hispanic Ministry Coordinator, DRE, Youth Director, Assistant Youth Coordinator, Music Director
Founding Families & Heritage
The original 1946 congregation — about 50 people including children — was made up of pioneer Catholic households who are still remembered by name on the parish history page. Many of these families continue to be part of the parish today, making St. John the Evangelist a multigenerational community rooted in post-war coastal San Diego County.
- Walter and Loretta Adams
- Mary Alice Broderick
- Andy and Helen Brown
- Harold and Eileen Dean
- Preston and Mildred Dean
- Benia Edwards
- Edgar and Anna Faucher
- Russell and Katherine Kundinger
- George Matten
- Herbert and Elizabeth Moore
- Carl and Ann Pohlmann
- Frank and Paulette Schroeder
- Walter and Ruth Vogel
Visiting & Getting Involved
Newcomers and visitors are warmly welcomed at every Mass; the parish encourages registration through forms on the website or at the Parish Office. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Parking is available in the main lot south of the church and the school lot to the west, with about 220 spaces total. Those unable to attend in person can watch the Sunday 10:30 AM Mass via the parish YouTube livestream.
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Parish registration available online and in the office
- Sunday 10:30 AM Mass livestreamed on YouTube
- Two on-site parking lots (~220 spaces total)
- Located on Encinitas Blvd near I-5
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Patrick H. Linneman1946 – c. 1960s
Founding pastor; gathered the first ~50 families, acquired the Melrose Avenue site, and reassembled a former Camp Callan Army chapel as the first church.
- Msgr. Michael O'Connoruntil retirement 1979
Led the parish through its growth to ~800 families / 2,500 parishioners; initiated the search for a larger, more central site and acquired 12.5 acres on Encinitas Blvd in 1979. Retired as Pastor Emeritus; died July 16, 1986.
- Msgr. Timothy HarnettJuly 2, 1979 – (subsequent)
Succeeded Msgr. O'Connor on July 2, 1979; was the inspiration, architect, fundraiser, and prime mover behind the relocation to Encinitas Blvd. Oversaw the 1984 site blessing and the 1987 groundbreaking for the present church.
- Father Brian Corcoranby 2016 (pastor)
Listed as Pastor of Saint John the Evangelist in the September 11, 2016 parish bulletin.
- Father James Bahashcurrent
Listed on the parish website's current Staff page as Pastor of Saint John the Evangelist.