About St. John the Evangelist · Hydes, Maryland
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church (Long Green Valley) is a parish of the Archdiocese of Baltimore located at 13305 Long Green Pike in Hydes, Maryland. Established on May 19, 1822, it is the oldest Catholic parish in Baltimore County and traces its origins to Jesuit missionaries who served Long Green and Dulaney Valleys. The parish today is a vibrant community with a parish school (Pre-K3 through 8th grade, a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School), daily and Sunday Masses, Eucharistic adoration, a robust Religious Education program, and more than two dozen ministries and lay organizations including the Long Green Valley Knights of Columbus Council.
- Established
- 1822
- Patron
- St. John the Evangelist
- Rector
- Rev. Jason C. Worley
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Baltimore
Why belong here
St. John's combines the rootedness of Maryland's oldest Baltimore County Catholic parish with the energy of an active school, daily Mass, and a large lay ministry program. Daily Mass is celebrated Monday–Friday, the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass is livestreamed for the homebound, and the parish chapel is open for private prayer weekday mornings. There are ministries for every age and interest — Knights of Columbus, Knights' Ladies, Youth Ministry, Religious Education, Music, Outreach (Harford Homeless Lunches, Our Daily Bread, Haiti Partnership, Respect Life), Liturgical ministries (Eucharistic Ministers, Readers, Ushers, Children's Liturgy of the Word), and a thriving Blue Ribbon parish school serving Pre-K3 through 8th grade.
Mass times at St. John the Evangelist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00–4:30 PM in the Church
- 1st Friday 9:00 AM (after the 8:30 AM Mass)
- Select evenings during Advent and Lent
- Other times by appointment (call 410-592-6206)
Adoration times
- 1st Friday of the month after the 8:30 AM Mass
- Chapel open for private prayer and devotion Monday–Friday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
About St. John the Evangelist
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church (Long Green Valley) is a parish of the Archdiocese of Baltimore located at 13305 Long Green Pike in Hydes, Maryland. The parish's vision is 'a vibrant Catholic community of growing disciples, witnessing the Gospel, and leading all to Jesus Christ,' and its mission is 'Love God, love others, proclaim the good news, and make disciples.' The current pastor, Rev. Jason C. Worley, began his ministry at St. John's on July 1, 2025.
- Vision: A vibrant Catholic community of growing disciples, witnessing the Gospel, and leading all to Jesus Christ.
- Mission: Love God, love others, proclaim the good news, and make disciples.
- Established May 19, 1822 — oldest Catholic parish in Baltimore County.
- Pastor: Rev. Jason C. Worley (since July 1, 2025).
- Pastor Emeriti: Msgr. Rick Cramblitt and Fr. Pete Literal.
Our History
St. John the Evangelist is the oldest Catholic parish in Baltimore County. It began as a mission of St. Ignatius, Hickory in Harford County, served by Jesuit priests who traveled out from the city to minister to families in Long Green and Dulaney Valleys. A wooden frame church was built in 1822 on the present Carroll Manor Road; it burned in 1855 and was replaced by a brick church (the present Chapel) built on land donated by the Jenkins family. At that point the parish gained its independence from St. Ignatius with Rev. Jacob Walter as first resident pastor. The current main church was dedicated in 1969 by Cardinal Lawrence Shehan.
- 1822: Wooden frame church built between Long Green and Dulaney Valleys.
- 1855: Original church destroyed by fire; brick Chapel built on Jenkins-donated land; parish becomes independent under Rev. Jacob Walter.
- 1858: First parish school opens (in the building now used as the Knights of Columbus Hall).
- 1903: School reopened; closed after 20 years.
- 1947: School reopened under School Sisters of Notre Dame — still in continuous operation.
- 1968–1969: New main church built and dedicated by Cardinal Lawrence Shehan.
Mission Parishes
St. John's has mothered three mission parishes over its history, two of which became independent parishes and one of which has closed.
- St. Stephen, Bradshaw — dedicated 1863; became independent parish in 1866.
- St. Philip Neri, Dulaney Valley (on Jarrettsville Pike) — opened c. 1866; closed by 1917; now a private residence.
- St. Mark, Fallston — opened 1887; mission of St. John's for 81 years; became independent parish in 1968.
St. John the Evangelist Catholic School
St. John the Evangelist Catholic School (Long Green Valley) is a fully accredited Archdiocese of Baltimore Collaborative School serving students in Pre-K3 through 8th grade from both Baltimore and Harford Counties. Located on the parish campus at 13311 Long Green Pike, the school is a 2017 U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School with roughly 230 students, a 10:1 teacher-to-student ratio, 1:1 devices in K–8, and a preschool Learning Cottage plus a dedicated Music House. The principal is Mrs. Christine (Suzanne) Thomas.
- Founded 1858; continuous operation since 1947 (under School Sisters of Notre Dame from 1947).
- Archdiocese of Baltimore Collaborative School since 2011–2012 academic year.
- 2017 U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School.
- Preschool through Grade 8; average class size 21; 10:1 student-teacher ratio.
- 1:1 computer devices K–8; on-site math and reading support.
- Preschool housed in 'Learning Cottage'; Music House for music and after-care.
- Principal: Mrs. Christine (Suzanne) Thomas
Religious Education & Faith Formation
Faith formation at St. John's spans childhood sacramental preparation, ongoing Religious Education for parish children, Adult Faith Formation, and Scripture Studies. The Director of Religious Education is Theresa Konitzer, and Adult Faith Formation is led by Barbara Anderson. The program prepares children for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist with a structured, family-centered model including orientation, family gatherings, and continuing formation for parents.
- Religious Education (school-age): Director Theresa Konitzer, ext. 107
- Adult Faith Formation: Barbara Anderson, [email protected]
- Scripture Studies (adult)
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist preparation
- Haiti Partnership and other outreach forming component of formation
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
St. John's Youth Ministry, directed by Colleen Sisolak, is part of the Harford Area Youth Region and offers programming for middle-schoolers, high-schoolers, and a Young Adult Small Group for 18–29 year-olds. The parish sends youth to the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) and Steubenville Youth Conferences, and uses The Catholic Youth Bible, YouCat, and Theology of the Body for Teens as core resources.
- Teens in Ministry, Jr. (5th–8th graders)
- Teens in Ministry, Sr. High School
- Young Adult Small Group (18–29)
- Participation in NCYC and Steubenville Youth Conferences
- Coordinator: Colleen Sisolak, [email protected], 410-592-6206 ext. 108
Liturgical Ministries
The parish Liturgy Committee works with the pastor and pastoral staff to prepare and celebrate the liturgical seasons and sacraments, and continues to implement the work of Vatican Council II. Liturgical lay ministries include Readers (age 14+), Eucharistic Ministers (age 16+ and confirmed), Ushers, Greeters, Altar Servers, the Altar Society, Children's Liturgy of the Word, and a Prayer Ministry of trained intercessors who pray with anyone after Masses.
- Liturgy Committee (meets 1st Monday of each month)
- Eucharistic Ministers — assist at every Sunday Mass
- Lectors / Readers — training provided, age 14+
- Ushers, Greeters, Altar Servers
- Children's Liturgy of the Word
- Prayer Ministry (post-Mass intercessory prayer)
- Altar Society
Music Ministry
Music at St. John's is led by Director of Music Douglas Byerly. The music ministry supports the parish's liturgical life across weekend Masses, holy days, and school liturgies, with the parish chapel and main church each hosting different celebrations during the week.
- Director of Music: Douglas Byerly
Outreach & Charity
Outreach is a major part of parish life, organized under the Outreach umbrella of the parish's Time and Talent ministry framework. Programs include Respect Life, Harford Homeless Lunches, Our Daily Bread, the Haiti Partnership, and a Prayer Shawl Ministry.
- Respect Life
- Harford Homeless Lunches
- Our Daily Bread
- Haiti Partnership
- Prayer Shawl Ministry
Knights of Columbus & Knights' Ladies
The Long Green Valley Knights of Columbus Council is a Catholic men's fraternal organization with more than 200 energetic members devoted to charitable works in support of the Church, the parish, and the community. The Knights' Ladies is an auxiliary of women who assist the Knights — meeting every other week in the Knights of Columbus building on campus.
- Fish Fries during Lent
- Spaghetti Dinner
- Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest
- Creche Lighting during Advent
- Blood Drives
- Thanksgiving Food Drive
- May Procession, lap robes for veterans, Oriole Games assistance, hospitality
Parish Committees & Organizations
Standing committees help govern parish life. The Pastoral Council serves as an advisory body to the Pastor, with members elected by the parish; it meets the second Monday of each month at 7:00 PM in the Conference Center and is open for parishioners to observe. The Finance Committee, mandated by canon law, prepares the annual budget and accounting. The Facilities Committee oversees maintenance of the entire campus (church, school, parish office, rectory and associated buildings), and the Garden Club works with the Facilities Committee on campus landscaping.
- Pastoral Council — meets 2nd Monday, 7:00 PM, Conference Center
- Finance Committee — annual budget and accounting
- Facilities Committee — campus maintenance and planning
- Garden Club — landscape improvement and four-season appeal
- Knights of Columbus & Knights' Ladies
Hospitality & Evangelization
The parish's Hospitality and Evangelization ministries focus on welcoming newcomers and walking with parishioners through life's moments. The parish encourages visitors and new parishioners to register by completing the Parish Registration Form and attending one of the parish's Welcome Sundays.
- Greeter's Ministry
- Sunday Perks
- Campus Beautification
- Bereavement Ministry
- Prayer Ministry
- Prayer Network
- Welcome Sundays for new parishioners
Our Staff
Parish staff supports liturgy, formation, school, communications, business, and facilities. The current pastor is supported by two pastors emeritus and a lay staff team.
- Rev. Jason C. Worley — Pastor
- Msgr. Rick Cramblitt — Pastor Emeritus
- Fr. Pete Literal — Pastor Emeritus
- Mrs. Suzanne (Christine) Thomas — School Principal
- Theresa Konitzer — Director of Religious Education
- Barbara Anderson — Director of Adult Faith Formation
- Colleen Sisolak — Youth & Young Adult Ministry
- Douglas Byerly — Director of Music
- Shawn Blair — Business/Financial Manager
- Eric Schumacher — Communications Coordinator
- Martha Schumacher — Cemetery Manager
- Suzan Muller — Physical Plant Manager
- Megan Malkus — Administrative Assistant
- Amy Smith — Administrative Assistant
Join the Parish
Newcomers are invited to register by completing the Parish Registration Form (available on the website) and calling the parish office at 410-592-6206 to learn about the next Welcome Sunday. The parish also offers the Flocknote text and email messaging service — text SJEHYDES to 84576 — to keep parishioners informed of news, events, and ministry updates.
- Parish Registration Form on sjehydes.org/join-the-parish
- Welcome Sundays for new parishioners
- Flocknote text alerts: text SJEHYDES to 84576
- Flocknote email: flocknote.com/sjehydes
Connect with SJE
Beyond the website, parishioners stay connected through Facebook, YouTube, email bulletins, and Flocknote. The Sunday 9:00 AM Mass is livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook for parishioners who are sick or homebound.
- Facebook: facebook.com/st.john.hydes
- YouTube: bit.ly/StJohnLGVYouTube
- Instagram (linked from website)
- Weekly bulletin via email subscription on sjehydes.org
- Flocknote text and email
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Jacob Walterafter 1855
First resident pastor of St. John Parish when it gained independence from St. Ignatius, Hickory