About St. John the Evangelist · Rochester, New York
St. John the Evangelist Parish is a Roman Catholic community located in the town of Greece, just northwest of Rochester, New York. Founded in 1865 as a mission of Our Mother of Sorrows Church, it is one of the oldest Catholic congregations in the Rochester area and a parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester. Today the parish is served by Father Peter Enyan-Boadu, two deacons, and a small staff, with weekend Masses offered Saturday evening and twice on Sunday. Its current, round-design church opened in 1964 to accommodate rapid post-war growth, and the parish remains an active faith community offering faith formation for children, OCIA for adults, music ministry, pastoral care, and Eucharistic devotion.
- Established
- 1865
- Patron
- St. John the Evangelist
- Rector
- Rev. Peter Enyan-Boadu
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester
Why belong here
St. John the Evangelist is a long-established, family-friendly Catholic community with deep roots in Greece, NY — now in its 161st year. Parishioners are warmly invited to celebrate the Eucharist, grow in Catholic tradition through the parish's Faith Formation program for children and OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) for newcomers, and serve together through ministries like music, pastoral care, prayer line, and the Knights of Columbus. The parish's mission statement — to joyfully celebrate the Eucharist, faithfully teach Catholic tradition, and enthusiastically form Catholic spirituality so that together we may 'go forth in love to serve the Lord and each other' — reflects the everyday rhythm of life here.
Mass times at St. John the Evangelist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment — contact the Parish Office at (585) 225-8980
Adoration times
- First Friday of the month: following 8:15 AM Mass (Eucharistic Adoration)
About the Parish
St. John the Evangelist is a Roman Catholic parish of the Diocese of Rochester located in Greece, NY, just northwest of the city of Rochester. According to the parish website, 'The Pastor and staff invite you and the people of St. John the Evangelist Church to joyfully celebrate the Eucharist, faithfully teach Catholic tradition, and enthusiastically form Catholic spirituality, so that together we may go forth in love to serve the Lord and each other.' The parish describes itself as a community 'bound by faith, love, and compassion' that embraces diversity, fosters spiritual growth, and serves with open hearts.
- Parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester
- Founded 1865; currently observing 160th anniversary in 2025
- Pastoral vision: joyfully celebrate the Eucharist, faithfully teach Catholic tradition, form Catholic spirituality
Parish History
The parish was started as a mission of Our Mother of Sorrows in 1865 by Father John Maurice, who celebrated the first Mass in the converted Rowe Tavern. In 1875 Bishop Bernard J. McQuaid dedicated a Medina sandstone Gothic Revival church (still standing), and in 1876 St. John the Evangelist was formally promoted to parish status. The parish grew from 20 Dutch and German farm families to 1,500 families by the late 1950s, prompting the building of the present round-design church, which opened on November 7, 1964, with Father Donald Lux offering the first Mass.
- 1865: Founded in Rowe Tavern by Father John Maurice
- 1875: Stone church dedicated by Bishop McQuaid
- 1876: Promoted to parish status
- 1881: First school opened in church basement
- 1888: Sisters of St. Joseph arrive to teach
- 1963: Ground broken for new church; cornerstone laid by Bishop Kearney
- 1964: Present church opened November 7 (First Mass by Father Lux)
- 2015: 150th anniversary celebrated
- 2025: 160th anniversary jubilee begins
Architecture & Buildings
The 1875 stone church at 2390 W. Ridge Road, designed by Andrew Jackson Warner (architect of Rochester's Liberty Pole), is a Medina sandstone Gothic Revival building still standing across the street. The present worship space — opened in 1964 and designed by James H. Johnson — is a striking round church whose roof is described as 'shaped like a fan around a cylindrical tower,' with furnishings crafted by noted Rochester artists Wendell Castle, Kurt Feuerherm, Carl Zollo and Arnold Mahlknecht.
- 1875 stone church: Gothic Revival, Medina sandstone, architect Andrew Jackson Warner
- 1964 church: round design, architect James H. Johnson, fan-and-cylinder roof
- Furnishings by Wendell Castle, Kurt Feuerherm, Carl Zollo, Arnold Mahlknecht
- Original 1865 tavern church later moved across Ridge Road, remained until the 1960s
Mass & Worship Schedule
Weekend Masses are offered Saturday at 4:00 PM and Sunday at 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM. Daily Mass is celebrated Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:15 AM; there is no service on Thursday. The 10:00 AM Sunday Mass is livestreamed on Facebook, along with Holy Day Masses. Confessions are heard by appointment — call the Parish Office at (585) 225-8980.
- Saturday: 4:00 PM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM (livestreamed on Facebook)
- Daily Mon–Wed & Fri: 8:15 AM (no Mass Thursday)
- Holy Days: refer to bulletin/calendar
- Confessions: by appointment only
Devotions & Other Services
Beyond the regular Mass schedule, the parish hosts special monthly devotions and ongoing small-group gatherings. First Friday Mass is followed by Eucharistic Adoration, and First Saturday Mass is followed by Rosary, Meditation & Devotional Prayer. A Bible Study meets on weekday mornings and the Fatima Women's Prayer Ministry gathers one evening a month.
- First Friday: 8:15 AM Mass + Eucharistic Adoration
- First Saturday: 8:15 AM Mass + Rosary, Meditation & Devotional Prayer
- Bible Study
- Fatima Women's Prayer Ministry
- Prayer Line (Jill Finan, [email protected])
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. John the Evangelist parish helps its children grow in their faith and knowledge of Christ and His Church through its Faith Formation program. Coordinated by Cristyn Simone, the program runs during the school year and includes a Christmas pageant presented at the 4:00 PM Mass on Christmas Eve. Families are encouraged to consult the parish calendar for upcoming Faith Formation activities.
- Faith Formation for parish children
- Coordinator: Cristyn Simone (585-261-0831)
- Christmas pageant at Christmas Eve 4:00 PM Mass
Becoming Catholic — OCIA
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) is the parish's process for adults seeking full membership in the Catholic Church — whether unbaptized, baptized in another Christian tradition, or already Catholic and wishing to deepen their faith. The OCIA team, coordinated through Rick Paoletti, walks inquirers through the Period of Inquiry, Catechumenate, Rite of Acceptance/Welcoming, Rite of Sending/Election, and finally reception of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation) at the Easter Vigil.
- Period of Inquiry (Pre-Catechumenate)
- Catechumenate — learning and formation
- Rite of Acceptance / Welcoming
- Rite of Sending / Election
- Sacraments of Initiation at Easter Vigil
- Mystagogy — post-initiation reflection
- Contact: Rick Paoletti (585) 489-9555
Sacraments
The parish prepares parishioners for the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist (First Communion), Confirmation, and Marriage. Parents are asked to contact the Parish Office before the birth of a child to begin Baptism preparation, and couples must arrange Marriage at least six months in advance.
- Baptism — contact office before child's birth
- Marriage — six months' advance notice required
- Eucharist (First Communion) — through Faith Formation
- Confirmation — through Faith Formation
- OCIA — for adult initiation
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by Father Peter Enyan-Boadu and is served by two deacons, a pastoral minister, a faith formation coordinator, directors of music and liturgical music, a finance director, a bookkeeper, and a parish secretary. The Parish Pastoral Council is chaired by Bob Gotham. The Parish Office is open weekdays with varying hours; phone and email reach every staff member.
- Pastor: Rev. Peter Enyan-Boadu
- Deacons: Elmer Smith, Lon Smith
- Pastoral Minister: Tod Simone
- Faith Formation Coordinator: Cristyn Simone
- Director of Music Ministry: Dawn Chmiel
- Director of Liturgical Music: Consuelo De Los Santos-Humphrey
- Finance Director: Christopher Frontale
- Bookkeeper: Joseph Spurrier
- Parish Secretary: Marcia Parsons
- Website Coordinator: Gary Kern
- Parish Pastoral Council Chair: Bob Gotham
Parish Ministries
Parishioners of St. John the Evangelist serve in a wide range of lay ministries, supported by a Parish Pastoral Council, Finance Council and Liturgy Committee, and gathered into faith-formation, music, prayer, and outreach groups. The Knights of Columbus Council 3892 is active locally, and a Fatima Women's Prayer Ministry meets monthly.
- Faith Formation Ministry
- Music Ministry / Liturgical Music
- Pastoral Ministry
- Parish Pastoral Council
- Finance Council
- Liturgy Committee
- Prayer Line
- Knights of Columbus Council 3892
- Fatima Women's Prayer Ministry
- Bible Study
- Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Altar Servers
- Safe Environment program
Contact, Location & Visiting
St. John the Evangelist is located at 2400 West Ridge Road in Rochester, NY 14626, in the town of Greece across from The Mall at Greece Ridge. The main church entrance is off Duxbury Road. A hearing loop is available in the church for parishioners with hearing aids.
- Address: 2400 West Ridge Road, Rochester, NY 14626
- Phone: (585) 225-8980 | Fax: (585) 723-9825
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon 9–3; Tue/Wed/Fri 9–2; Thu 9–noon
- Main entrance off Duxbury Road
- Hearing loop installed
Safe Environment
Following the Diocese of Rochester's Safe Environment policies, the parish publishes its policies and an update on Safe Environment efforts on its website to protect children and vulnerable adults.
- Safe Environment Policies (Diocese of Rochester)
- Update on Safe Environment Efforts
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John Maurice1865
Founded the parish as a mission of Our Mother of Sorrows in the converted Rowe Tavern.
- Rev. Donald Lux
Pastor who planned the present round-design church; celebrated its first Mass on November 7, 1964.
- Rev. Robert McNamara
Diocesan historian who authored 'The Diocese of Rochester in America: 1868 to 1993,' which documents the parish's 1876 promotion to parish status.