About St. John the Evangelist · Frederick, Maryland
St. John the Evangelist is the oldest Catholic parish in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, founded in Frederick, Maryland in 1763 when Jesuit missionaries established worship in a private home chapel during the era of Britain's Penal Laws. Its present Greek Revival church building, completed in 1837, was the largest parish church in the United States at the time of its consecration and remains the tallest structure in the city of Frederick. Now a pastorate with St. Joseph on Carrollton Manor, St. John serves roughly 4,200 families with Mass in both English and Spanish, a Spanish-speaking ministry, a parish school of formation, an active youth program, and multiple choirs.
- Established
- 1763
- Patron
- St. John the Evangelist
- Rector
- Rev. John Williamson
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Baltimore
Why belong here
St. John the Evangelist offers the rare combination of historic Catholic roots dating to 1763 and a still-vibrant parish life. Worshippers can attend Mass in English or Spanish across seven total Sunday and vigil Masses, sit under the tallest spire in Frederick, and serve through a deep bench of ministries — children's and adult choirs, faith formation for 1st through 12th graders, OCIA for adults, youth ministry, altar servers, homebound Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and a Finance Committee — all anchored by three priests, five deacons, and a dedicated lay staff. As the mother church of Frederick County, it carries a 250-year legacy of being a 'beacon of faith and God's Love to all.'
Mass times at St. John the Evangelist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 6:00 pm – 6:45 pm (Spanish)
- Thursday 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm
- Saturday 3:30 pm (also by appointment)
Parish Identity & Pastorate
St. John the Evangelist and St. Joseph on Carrollton Manor together form a single pastorate led by the Pastoral Advisory Committee and staff. The shared Mission Statement — 'Love God; Live Faith; Serve All' — and Vision Statement frame everything the two parishes do.
- Mission: Love God; Live Faith; Serve All
- Vision: a devoted Catholic faith community pursuing a personal relationship with God and forming disciples of Jesus Christ for the world
- In pastorate with St. Joseph on Carrollton Manor
Our Story: 1763 to Today
The parish was established in spring 1763 when Jesuits gathered Catholics in John Carey's brick home on the north side of Second Street during the era of Britain's Penal Laws. Father John DuBois laid the cornerstone of the first permanent St. John Church on May 15, 1800. Father John McElroy, S.J., then demolished that building and oversaw construction of the present Greek Revival church, which was consecrated on April 26, 1837. The Jesuits staffed the parish until 1902, when their novitiate relocated to New York.
- 1763 – first Mass in John Carey's home on Second Street
- 1776 – British Penal Laws repealed
- 1800 – cornerstone laid by Fr. John DuBois (May 15)
- 1837 – current church consecrated April 26, the first consecrated Catholic church in the Archdiocese of Baltimore
- 1902 – Jesuit administration of the parish ends
- 2025 – 250th anniversary celebrated with Archbishop Lori
Clergy & Parish Staff
The parish is served by three priests, five deacons, a seminarian, and a robust lay staff. Pastoral care is supported by an Executive Director of Operations, an Executive Director of Formation and Accompaniment, a Finance Manager, an Office Manager, and coordinators for Music, Faith Formation, Youth Ministry, and the VIRTUS safe-environment program.
- Fr. John Williamson — Pastor
- Fr. Javier Fuentes — Associate Pastor
- Fr. Matthew DeFusco — Associate Pastor
- Seminarian Anderson Dugarte
- Deacon Mike Currens, Deacon Roger Carrier, Deacon Karl Noah, Deacon David Jerome, Deacon Will Hyde
- Bob Fitzsimmons, Executive Director of Operations
- Maryann Kauffman, Office Manager and Assistant to Pastor
- Amy Spessard, Executive Director of Formation and Accompaniment
- Cathy Todt, Finance Manager
- Jean Pfau, Administrative Assistant – Finance
- Peggy Frazier, Choir Director
- Nae Pearson, Director of Music
- Francesca Aguado, Children's Choir Director
- Tammy Gouzoulis, Pastorate Coordinator of Faith Formation
- Megan McQuin, Pastorate Coordinator of Youth Ministry
- Sara Rodriguez-Ryan, Administrative Assistant for Faith Formation and Youth Ministry
- Jane Owens, VIRTUS Coordinator
- Nathan Fulton, Gene Fulton, Rick Casazza — Maintenance
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. John spans the whole life of the parish family — from baptismal preparation for infants to OCIA for adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church. Catechists and aides are welcomed and equipped with manuals and resource references, and no prior teaching experience is required.
- Baptism Preparation and Celebration
- 1st – 5th Grade Faith Formation
- Middle School Youth Ministry / Faith Formation
- Youth Ministry 6th – 12th grade
- Confirmation (Teens)
- Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
- OCIA (Youth)
Music & Liturgy
Music ministry is led by Choir Director Peggy Frazier, Director of Music Nae Pearson, and Children's Choir Director Francesca Aguado. The Adult Choir rehearses each Thursday from 7:30 to 9:30 pm in the choir loft and sings three times a month, on special feast days, and for occasions such as Christmas and Easter. The Children's/Youth Choir (grades 2–8) rehearses Thursdays 6:30 – 7:15 pm and sings on the fourth Sunday of each month at the 9:00 am Mass, as well as Christmas Eve and Palm Sunday.
- Adult Choir — Thursdays 7:30–9:30 pm
- St. John's Children's/Youth Choir — Thursdays 6:30–7:15 pm
- Sings at the 9:00 am Mass on the 4th Sunday of the month, Christmas Eve, and Palm Sunday
- High schoolers may join either the Youth or Adult Choir
Liturgical & Outreach Ministries
In addition to formation and music, the parish supports a wide range of lay ministries rooted in the Sunday Mass and extending into the wider Frederick community through works of mercy.
- Altar Servers (boys and girls ages 9–17)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion – Homebound
- Finance Committee
- Pastorate Advisory Council
- VIRTUS safe-environment coordination
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John DuBois1773-1800s
Named pastor of the Frederick area during the Jesuit suppression; laid the cornerstone for the first permanent St. John Church on May 15, 1800; founded Mount St. Mary's; later became third Bishop of New York.
- Rev. John McElroy, S.J.1822-1837
Demolished the older building and oversaw construction of the present Greek Revival church, which was consecrated April 26, 1837.