About St. John the Evangelist · Memphis, Tennessee
St. John the Evangelist is a Roman Catholic parish in Memphis, Tennessee, belonging to the Catholic Diocese of Memphis and located within the Western Deanery at 2742 Lamar Avenue in the 38114 ZIP code. The parish was established in 1947 and today counts roughly 300 parishioners from 175 households. It is notable for its multilingual life, offering Mass in English, Spanish, and Polish, and it is currently led by Parochial Administrator Reverend Fausta Chibuike Odinwankpa, with Deacon Walt Bolton serving as Pastoral Associate.
- Established
- 1947
- Patron
- St. John the Evangelist
- Rector
- Reverend Fausta Chibuike Odinwankpa
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Memphis
Why belong here
St. John the Evangelist is a small, multicultural parish where nearly every member's language and background is welcomed at the altar, with weekend Mass in English, a once-monthly Polish Mass, and a Spanish Mass in the regular rotation. Faith formation for children and adults is run through the Parish Religious Education program and the RCIA, with dedicated coordinators for the parish's youth ministry. Add a Friday schedule that pairs noon Mass with Eucharistic Adoration, the Divine Mercy devotion, and Benediction, and you have a parish that is small enough to know your name but rich enough to nourish a family spiritually.
Mass times at St. John the Evangelist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Contact the parish office to schedule the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Adoration times
- Friday: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM (Holy Sacrament Adoration, following the noon Mass)
Parish Identity and Heritage
St. John the Evangelist is a parish of the Catholic Diocese of Memphis in the Western Deanery, founded in 1947 and rooted in a small but multigenerational and multicultural community of roughly 300 parishioners from 175 households on Lamar Avenue in southeast Memphis. The parish takes its name from the Apostle John, whose Gospel's emphasis on love and the Word made flesh shapes its preaching and devotional life.
- Established: 1947
- Deanery: Western
- Approximate membership: 300 parishioners / 175 households
- Located at 2742 Lamar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38114
Clergy and Parish Staff
Pastoral leadership at St. John the Evangelist is currently provided by Reverend Fausta Chibuike Odinwankpa, Parochial Administrator, with Reverend Mr. Walt Bolton serving as Deacon and Pastoral Associate. The day-to-day operations of the parish office and its faith-formation programs are coordinated by Deacon Bolton, who also serves as Office Manager and Director of Religious Education.
- Parochial Administrator: Rev. Fausta Chibuike Odinwankpa
- Pastoral Associate / Office Manager / DRE: Deacon Walt Bolton ([email protected])
- Music Director: Mary Beth Bolton
- Youth Ministry contact: Porsha Hastings
Faith Formation and Sacramental Prep
Faith formation for children and adults is coordinated through the Parish Religious Education (PRE) program and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Deacon Walt Bolton leads both programs alongside bilingual catechists Wendy Madrid and Jose Ruiz, ensuring that Spanish-speaking families as well as English-speaking ones have access to the sacraments and ongoing formation.
- Parish Religious Education (PRE): Deacon Walt Bolton with Wendy Madrid and Jose Ruiz
- RCIA: Deacon Walt Bolton with Wendy Madrid and Jose Ruiz
- Youth Ministry: led by Porsha Hastings
- Spanish catechetical support: Jose Ruiz and Juan Pascual
Multilingual Parish Life
St. John the Evangelist has long been a home for Spanish-speaking and Polish-speaking Catholics in Memphis, and the parish schedule is built around that heritage. The second Sunday of the month is set aside for a Mass in Polish, while Spanish-language coordination is woven into both the liturgy and faith formation, ensuring that cultural identity is preserved alongside Catholic worship.
- English: primary language for most Masses and parish communications
- Spanish: Mass celebrated in the parish schedule; Spanish ministry coordinated by Jose Ruiz and Juan Pascual
- Polish: Mass celebrated on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 1:00 PM
Music and Liturgical Arts
Music at St. John the Evangelist is directed by Mary Beth Bolton, who supports both the regular English schedule and the parish's multilingual celebrations. The small size of the community allows the music program to be more personal and congregational, drawing families into the sung liturgy of the Mass.
- Music Director: Mary Beth Bolton
Visiting and Contacting the Parish
Parishioners and visitors can reach the office by phone at 901-480-7055 (fax 901-672-7622) or by email at [email protected], and the parish office is open Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The official website is stjohncatholicmemphis.com, where the latest schedule and announcements are posted.
- Phone: 901-480-7055
- Fax: 901-672-7622
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.stjohncatholicmemphis.com
- Parish office hours: Tuesday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM (closed Monday)