About St. John the Evangelist · Swampscott, Massachusetts
St. John the Evangelist is a Roman Catholic parish in Swampscott, Massachusetts, part of the Archdiocese of Boston and currently in a collaborative with St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Nahant. The parish traces its roots to 1879, when the first Mass was offered for Swampscott's Catholics at the town hall, and its first church building opened on Christmas Day 1904. More than a century later, the parish continues its mission along Humphrey Street on the rocky shore of Nahant Bay, where its belfry and gilded cross still serve as a landmark seen from out at sea.
- Established
- 1904
- Patron
- St. John the Evangelist
- Rector
- Rev. Msgr. John R. McLaughlin
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Boston
Why belong here
St. John the Evangelist is a century-old Catholic community on the Swampscott shore with active sacramental life, daily Mass, weekly adoration, and a wide network of lay ministries. More than 500 parishioners volunteer across groups such as St. Vincent de Paul, Our Lady's Sodality, the Ministry of the Word (Lectors), Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, the Haiti Planning Committee, and a Religious Education Program that serves roughly 750 children. Worshippers are drawn not only by the landmark church with its gilded belfry visible out at sea, but also by a deep tradition of service to neighbors in Swampscott, Nahant and Lynn through the parish food pantry, Christmas Gift Giving Project, and other outreach.
Mass times at St. John the Evangelist
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 pm – 3:45 pm (before 4 pm Vigil Mass)
- Wednesday 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm (during Adoration)
Adoration times
- Wednesday 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
- Tuesday following the 7:00 am Daily Mass
Parish History
St. John the Evangelist traces its roots to 1879, when Rev. John C. Harrington offered Swampscott's first Mass at the town hall. After years of effort and a court battle over a building site on Elmwood Road, the cornerstone of a mission church on the Stone Estate on Humphrey Street was laid in June 1904, and the first Mass was celebrated there on Christmas morning 1904. Bishop John Brady formally dedicated the building on September 3, 1905. In April 1906, Rev. Patrick Colman, D.D. became the first resident pastor; the church bell installed in December 1906 was nicknamed 'Patrick' in his honor. By 1912 the building was tripled in size, and by 1981 the parish counted 6,500 souls in some 1,900 families. A Parish Pastoral Council was formed in 1989, and today the parish of roughly 2,000 families is supported by more than 500 volunteers.
- First Mass in Swampscott: July 20, 1879, Town Hall (Rev. John C. Harrington)
- Cornerstone laid: June 1904
- First Mass in new church: Christmas Day 1904
- Formal dedication: September 3, 1905 (Bishop John Brady)
- First resident pastor: Rev. Patrick Colman, D.D., April 21, 1906
- Church tripled in size by 1912
- 75th anniversary in 1981: 6,500 souls, ~1,900 families
- Parish Pastoral Council formed 1989
Architecture & Sacred Art
The original mission church was a modest gray-shingled building with pews of stained ash, a white altar with gold trim, sixteen stained glass windows memorializing local residents, an organ, and seating for five hundred. A stately belfry with a large gilded cross was designed to be visible for miles out at sea. The original structure was tripled in 1912 to accommodate growth. In September 2025, Msgr. John McLaughlin unveiled two new murals by sacred artist Michael Corsini.
- Original mission church built 1904 on the Stone Estate, Humphrey Street
- Stained ash pews; white altar with gold trim
- 16 stained glass windows memorializing local residents
- Stately belfry with gilded cross, visible out to sea
- Building tripled in size by 1912
- Two new Michael Corsini murals unveiled September 2025
Mass & Liturgy
The parish celebrates Mass in English throughout the week, with a Saturday Vigil and two Sunday Masses, plus a daily morning Mass on Monday and Wednesday through Friday. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held on Wednesday evenings and after the Tuesday daily Mass. Confessions are heard on Saturday afternoons before the Vigil Mass and on Wednesday evenings during Adoration.
- Saturday Vigil: 4:00 pm
- Sunday: 7:30 am and 10:30 am
- Weekday: 7:00 am (Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri)
- Confession: Saturday 3:00 pm and Wednesday 5:30 pm
- Adoration: Wednesday 5:30–6:30 pm and after Tuesday 7:00 am Mass
Sacraments
St. John the Evangelist prepares parishioners for and celebrates all seven sacraments. Baptisms are typically celebrated on most Sundays during the regular Mass schedule. Marriage preparation requires contacting the parish at least six months in advance. Confirmation and Religious Education classes are coordinated through the Parish Center. The Anointing of the Sick is available when needed, and the RCIA program welcomes adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church.
- Baptism — most Sundays, contact parish office
- Confirmation — Religious Education program
- Marriage — contact 6 months in advance (781-593-2544)
- Anointing of the Sick / Last Rites — call 781-593-2544
- Reconciliation — Sat 3:00 pm & Wed 5:30 pm
- RCIA — Adult Religious Education for those entering the Church
Religious Education & Faith Formation
The Religious Education Program serves the children and adolescents of both St. John the Evangelist and St. Thomas Aquinas parishes, providing faith-based learning that supports parents as the primary educators of their children. The program incorporates prayer, worship and service, and is directed by Maureen McDonnell. After the parish school closed in June 1973, two Dominican sisters — Sr. Christine McManus and Sr. Michelle Sherliza — arrived to build the program from a former first-grade classroom; by the time they departed 35 years later, about 750 children from some 310 families were enrolled. RCIA and Adult Religious Education are also offered.
- Director: Maureen McDonnell (781-599-4711)
- Children and adolescent faith formation
- Confirmation preparation
- RCIA for adults entering the Church
- Annual Christmas Gift Giving Project with the Confirmation class
- About 750 children from ~310 families historically enrolled
Parish Ministries
The parish is sustained by a wide array of lay-led ministries that put faith into action. The Ministry of the Word trains lectors to proclaim Sacred Scripture; Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist bring Communion to the faithful; Our Lady's Sodality unites women in service and fellowship; and the St. Vincent de Paul Conference operates the parish food pantry and provides assistance with utilities, rent, heat and displacement. The Haiti Planning Committee supports mission work in Haiti, and the Music Ministry enriches liturgy each week.
- Ministry of the Word (Lectors)
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
- Our Lady's Sodality (~65 members, motto 'Ad Jesu per Mariam')
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — food pantry Tue 11 am–12 pm and Thu 7–8 pm
- Haiti Planning Committee
- Music Ministry / Choir (Director Will Parks / Ben DiScipio)
- Parish Pastoral Council
Outreach & Charity
Outreach is a hallmark of the parish. The St. Vincent de Paul Conference at St. John's (part of the Greater Lynn District Council) serves Swampscott and a portion of East Lynn with a food pantry, food vouchers to a local grocery store, and emergency help with utilities, heat, displacement and rent. The Religious Education Program partners with the St. Vincent de Paul Council each year on the Christmas Gift Giving Project, distributing paper bells identifying local children and gifts requested by less-fortunate families. Our Lady's Sodality supports the 'Tree of Life' for Catholic Charities, collects toiletries for Our Brother's Table Shelter in Lynn during Lent, and mails weekly bulletins and faith reflections to shut-ins.
- Food pantry: Tue 11:00 am–12:00 pm and Thu 7:00–8:00 pm at St. John's
- Christmas Gift Giving Project (15 families / 38 children in a recent year)
- Tree of Life — Catholic Charities
- Toiletries for Our Brother's Table Shelter in Lynn (Lent)
- Visits and care for homebound and shut-in parishioners
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Msgr. John R. McLaughlin, with Rev. Frank D. Campo in residence. Deacon Andrew Acampora serves in operations. The parish office is staffed by secretaries Irene Curran and Patti Finlay, with Sarah Cowell as Business Manager. Religious Education is led by Maureen McDonnell. Music is directed by Will Parks (with Ben DiScipio as Music Director per recent bulletins). Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, at 198 Humphrey Street (parish office) and the rectory at 174 Humphrey Street.
- Pastor: Rev. Msgr. John R. McLaughlin
- In Residence: Rev. Frank D. Campo
- Operations: Deacon Andrew Acampora
- Business Manager: Sarah Cowell
- Parish Secretaries: Irene Curran, Patti Finlay
- Faith Formation: Maureen McDonnell
- Liturgy & Music: Will Parks
Visiting & Contact
St. John the Evangelist welcomes visitors and newcomers to its church, parish office and religious education programs. The parish is in a collaborative with St. Thomas Aquinas Church in neighboring Nahant, sharing clergy and faith-formation staff. Inquiries about joining the parish, scheduling a baptism or wedding, enrolling children in religious education, or volunteering in any ministry are welcomed at the parish office.
- Church: 178 Humphrey Street, Swampscott, MA 01907
- Parish Office / Rectory: 174 Humphrey Street, Swampscott, MA 01907-2512
- Phone: 781-593-2544
- Religious Education: 781-599-4711
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
- Collaborative partner: St. Thomas Aquinas, Nahant
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John C. Harrington1879–
Pastor of St. Joseph's, Lynn; offered Swampscott's first Mass on July 20, 1879 and served as the mission church's first spiritual counselor; honored by the choice of St. John the Evangelist as patron.
- Rev. Patrick Colman, D.D.1906–
First resident pastor, appointed April 21, 1906; the church bell installed in 1906 was nicknamed 'Patrick' in his honor.
- Rev. Msgr. John P. Carroll
Pastor at the time St. John's School closed in 1973; oversaw the transition to a vibrant lay-led religious education program.
- Rev. Msgr. John R. McLaughlin
Current pastor; unveiled two new Michael Corsini murals in September 2025.