About St. John the Evangelist (St. John) · Jackson, Michigan
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Parish in Jackson, Michigan is the oldest Catholic parish and home to the oldest church building still in use in the Diocese of Lansing, with its cornerstone laid in 1856 by the first 14 Catholic families in the area. The parish, sometimes called the 'Mother Church of Jackson,' now serves more than 2,000 registered families across a campus that includes the historic church on Martin Luther King Jr Drive, St. Joseph the Worker Oratory, St. John Catholic School, and St. John's Cemetery. Its mission is 'to fulfill the Great Commission and form a community of missionary disciples in Jackson, Michigan' through the Sacraments, Faith Formation, Discipleship, Fellowship, and Service.
- Established
- 1856
- Patron
- St. John the Evangelist
- Rector
- Rev. Chas Canoy
- Diocese
- Diocese of Lansing
Why belong here
St. John the Evangelist combines deep historical roots with a thriving contemporary parish life. The 170-year-old 'Mother Church of Jackson' offers multiple weekend Masses (including a Noon Mass and a Sunday evening Mass at St. Joseph Oratory), a robust sacramental schedule with regular Confession and a near-perpetual Eucharistic Adoration chapel at St. Joseph Oratory, and family-centered faith formation through Family Discipleship and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Add the parish-run St. John Catholic School (grades K–5), a youth discipleship program, small-group Discipleship Groups for adults, outreach ministries, and a recently unveiled apse mural masterpiece, and you have a parish that welcomes newcomers and long-time members alike as 'living stones' of the Body of Christ.
Mass times at St. John the Evangelist (St. John)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00–3:45 PM
- Thursday after 9:00 AM Mass
- 1st Thursday 7:00–7:30 PM
- 3rd Tuesday 6:00–6:30 PM (at St. Joseph Oratory)
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration Chapel at St. Joseph Oratory (former Sisters' Convent Building): Sunday 11:00 AM through Friday midnight; Saturday 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Thursday 7:00 PM prayer group for Priests and Vocations
- First Friday Holy Hour, 5:30–6:30 PM at St. John Church
Parish History & Heritage
St. John the Evangelist traces its origins to 1856, when the first fourteen Catholic families in the area laid the cornerstone of what is now the oldest church building still in use in the Diocese of Lansing — even before the city of Jackson itself was founded. Since then, generations of faith-filled parishioners have built a legacy of community, openness, and volunteerism that continues today, with membership grown to more than 2,000 families. In 2010, Bishop Earl Boyea decreed that the nearby St. Joseph Parish be merged into St. John as St. Joseph the Worker Oratory, and the two parish families have worked to unify their respective heritages. The parish was rededicated in December 2025 with the unveiling of 'Macklin's Masterpiece,' a major apse restoration painted by local artist Joseph Macklin depicting the Wedding Feast of the Lamb (upper) and the Paschal Mystery (lower), unveiled on Christmas Eve in the presence of Bishop Boyea and celebrated with a pilgrimage Mass on the December 27 patronal feast of St. John the Evangelist.
- Cornerstone laid 1856; church constructed 1857
- Original 14 families; now 2,000+ families
- Oldest church building still in use in the Diocese of Lansing
- Known as the 'Mother Church of Jackson'
- 2010: St. Joseph Parish merged as St. Joseph the Worker Oratory by decree of Bishop Boyea
- 2025: Apse restoration 'Macklin's Masterpiece' unveiled Christmas Eve
Worship & Liturgy
St. John's worship life centers on the celebration of the Eucharist, with weekend Masses on Saturday evening and three Sunday morning/Midday Masses at the main church plus a Sunday evening Mass at St. Joseph Oratory, and a full schedule of weekday Masses. Liturgies are live-streamed so parishioners can stay connected wherever they are. The parish emphasizes that the Sunday Mass is itself the 'source and summit' of Christian life, and that sacramental preparation flows out of evangelization, faith, and conversion rather than mechanical programs.
- Saturday Vigil: 4:15 PM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM (Noon), 5:00 PM (at St. Joseph)
- Weekdays: Wed/Thu/Fri 9:00 AM; Tue 5:30 PM (at St. Joseph)
- Confession: Sat 3:00–3:45 PM; Thu after 9:00 AM Mass; 1st Thu 7:00–7:30 PM; 3rd Tue 6:00–6:30 PM at St. Joseph
- Sunday Masses live-streamed
Devotions & Intercessory Prayer
St. John the Evangelist maintains a rich devotional life rooted in traditional Catholic prayers, with the Holy Rosary prayed on different days according to the liturgical season: Joyful Mysteries on Monday, Saturday, and Advent Sundays; Sorrowful on Tuesday, Friday, and Lent Sundays; Glorious on Wednesday and Sunday; Luminous on Thursday. The parish also provides online resources for the Divine Mercy Chaplet, the Litany of St. Joseph, the Litany of the Sacred Heart, the Litany of Loreto, the Memorare, the Stations of the Cross, the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, and a Prayer to the Holy Spirit.
- Holy Rosary – Joyful Mysteries (Mon, Sat, Advent Sundays)
- Holy Rosary – Sorrowful Mysteries (Tue, Fri, Lent Sundays)
- Holy Rosary – Glorious Mysteries (Wed, Sun)
- Holy Rosary – Luminous Mysteries (Thu)
- Divine Mercy Chaplet
- Litany of St. Joseph; Litany of the Sacred Heart; Litany of Loreto
- Memorare; Stations of the Cross; Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel; Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. John the Evangelist is built on three guiding principles: Sunday Mass is the class; parents are the primary educators of their children; and sacraments must be preceded by evangelization, faith, and conversion. The parish offers both at-home Family Discipleship and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (for ages 3–9, held at St. John School), plus Religious Education (CCD) on Sundays for preschool through 8th grade and an adult class. Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) is offered at both the 10:00 AM and Noon Sunday Masses year-round for preschool through 5th graders, who are dismissed to the parish center for an age-appropriate Liturgy of the Word before returning to church.
- Family Discipleship (at-home whole-family formation)
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (ages 3–9, at St. John School)
- Religious Education / CCD (preschool–8th grade + adult class)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word at 10:00 AM and Noon Masses
- Coordinator of Sacramental Prep: Angel Korkel
- CGS Coordinator: Amy Parrish
OCIA & Adult Discipleship
Adults seeking to enter the Catholic Church or to deepen their understanding of the faith are welcomed through OCIA (the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) and a 'Catholicism 101' inquiry process, with weekly meetings and accompanying podcasts. For ongoing formation, St. John's Discipleship Groups provide a small-group setting for adults to enhance their faith through prayer, Scripture, and mentoring, while Catholicism 101 invites individuals to deepen their faith by exploring the Word of God together.
- OCIA & Catholicism 101 (Inquiry)
- St. John's Discipleship Groups (adult small groups)
- Discipleship Coordinator & Spiritual Director: Todd Gale
- Discipleship Associates: Evan Connors (and others)
Youth Discipleship
St. John's Youth Ministry offers a community for middle- and high-school students to develop their faith, form friendships, and discover their purpose. The parish operates a 'Jackson Grouping' approach that coordinates youth discipleship across the broader Jackson, Michigan Catholic community.
- Youth Group (middle and high school)
- Director of Youth Discipleship / Jackson Grouping: Jake Gerber
St. John Catholic School
St. John Catholic School is a parish-affiliated elementary school (K–5) located at 405 East North Street, Jackson, MI 49202, providing a Christian atmosphere characterized by Gospel values of love, respect, honesty, and understanding under the motto 'As Jesus teaches: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.' The school blends rigorous academics with specials (Art, Technology, Library, Music, Gym, and Spanish), a Learning Center for remedial and enrichment services, two classroom sets of iPads, enrichment activities (Band, Choir, field trips, sports, Christmas program, Broadcast Club), service opportunities, a PRIDE parent-involvement group, and a Latchkey before- and after-school program.
- Address: 405 East North Street, Jackson, MI 49202
- Phone: 517-784-1714
- Grades served: K–5
- Principal: Tara Brady
- Office Staff: Pat Putra, Melissa Jenkins
- Specials: Art, Technology, Library, Music, Gym, Spanish
- Latchkey (before/after school), Band, Choir, Broadcast Club, sports
Parish Staff & Clergy
The pastoral team is led by Fr. Chas Canoy as Pastor, with Fr. Randy Koenigsknecht serving as Parochial Vicar and Deacons Dave Etters and Mike McCormick assisting with parish life. A broad staff team supports parish operations, faith formation, youth ministry, discipleship, communications, music, cemetery, and school operations in service of the parish mission.
- Pastor: Rev. Chas Canoy
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Randy Koenigsknecht
- Deacon: Dave Etters
- Deacon: Mike McCormick
- Director of Parish Life: Shayne Slough
- Director of Parish Operations: Michael Philpott
- Coordinator of Sacramental Prep: Angel Korkel
- CGS Coordinator: Amy Parrish
- Discipleship Coordinator & Spiritual Director: Todd Gale
- Director of Youth Discipleship / Jackson Grouping: Jake Gerber
- Communications Associate: Clay O'Rourke
- Discipleship Associate: Evan Connors
- Resident Organist: Dominic Kryst
- Finance Manager: Margaret Myers
- Cemetery Coordinator: Jenny Mietelka; Grounds Supervisor: Brian Mick
- Plant Manager: Paul Putra
- Administrative Assistants: Kathryn Fisher, Jeana Okoniewski
- Accounting Specialist: Diane Manor
St. Joseph the Worker Oratory
St. Joseph the Worker Oratory at 707 N. Waterloo St., Jackson, MI 49202 functions as a second worship site of St. John the Evangelist Parish following the 2010 merger. It hosts one Sunday evening Mass per week (5:00 PM), one weekday Mass (Tuesday 5:30 PM), a periodic Tuesday evening Confession slot, and — in the former Sisters' Convent Building — the parish's Eucharistic Adoration Chapel, making it a center for prayer in addition to worship.
- Address: 707 N. Waterloo St., Jackson, MI 49202
- Sunday Mass: 5:00 PM
- Weekday Mass: Tuesday 5:30 PM
- Confession: 3rd Tuesday 6:00–6:30 PM
- Site of the parish's Eucharistic Adoration Chapel (former Sisters' Convent Building)
St. John's Cemetery
St. John's Cemetery at 403 E. South St., Jackson, MI 49203 is operated by St. John the Evangelist Parish as part of its pastoral mission. The cemetery serves as a sacred place of interment for parishioners and their families, with full-time office and grounds staff supporting burial arrangements and grounds maintenance.
- Address: 403 E. South St., Jackson, MI 49203
- Phone: (517) 783-1728
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00–4:00 PM
- Cemetery Coordinator: Jenny Mietelka
- Cemetery Grounds & Maintenance Supervisor: Brian Mick
Visit, Connect & Get Involved
Newcomers and visitors are warmly invited to attend any of the weekend Masses, attend a faith-formation conversation, or simply stop by the parish office to introduce themselves. The parish encourages involvement through Family Discipleship, Youth Discipleship, adult Discipleship Groups, Religious Education, the parish choir and music ministry, the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel hour sign-up, the cemetery and grounds ministries, and the parish's smartphone app, which provides real-time news, Mass times, and event information.
- Welcome page at saintjohnjackson.org/welcome/
- Office at 711 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Jackson, MI 49201
- Parish app available (iOS/Android) for Mass times, news, events
- Sign-up links available for Eucharistic Adoration holy hours
- Contact for Faith Formation: [email protected]