About St. John Vianney Church · Sedona, Arizona
St. John Vianney Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Phoenix, located on a 15-acre campus in West Sedona, Arizona, at 180 St. John Vianney Lane. Founded in 1965 as the parish church for the growing Sedona Catholic community, it also has pastoral responsibility for the world-famous Chapel of the Holy Cross, an iconic mid-century modern chapel built into the red rock buttes, which has been owned and administered by the parish since 1969. Today the parish serves English- and Spanish-speaking faithful with weekend and daily Mass, perpetual adoration, a robust St. Vincent de Paul food pantry and aid program, healing retreats under the direction of its pastor Fr. Ignatius Mazanowski, OCIA (formerly RCIA), Knights of Columbus, and a wide array of liturgical and outreach ministries. A major $80 million expansion of the West Sedona campus — including a larger St. Vincent de Paul building, low-income housing, and a Catholic retreat/lodging center — is currently in the rezoning phase.
- Established
- 1965
- Patron
- St. John Vianney (Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney, the Curé d'Ars)
- Rector
- Rev. Ignatius Mazanowski (Pastor and Rector of the Chapel of the Holy Cross)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Phoenix
Why belong here
St. John Vianney offers something rare: a mid-sized, pastor-led parish where the church's healing and evangelistic charism is visible everywhere — from weekday 8:00 AM Mass and a 24/7 Adoration Chapel, to a Monday-evening Taizé prayer service and the world-famous Chapel of the Holy Cross pilgrimage site, to one of the Verde Valley's busiest food pantries and rental-assistance programs through its St. Vincent de Paul Conference. Worship is offered in both English and Spanish, with a livestreamed Sunday 8:00 AM Mass, an active OCIA process, Knights of Columbus, a children's choir legacy, and Healing Retreats and a prayer-team ministry that draw visitors from across the country.
Mass times at St. John Vianney Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM (St. John Vianney)
- Sunday: 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM (St. John Vianney)
- Wednesday: 1:00 PM – 2:45 PM (Chapel of the Holy Cross, cancelled in July)
- Friday: 1:00 PM – 2:45 PM (Chapel of the Holy Cross, cancelled in July)
- By appointment (call parish office 928-282-7545)
Adoration times
- Adoration Chapel at St. John Vianney: 24/7 access available by code from the parish office during business hours
- Wednesday: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Chapel of the Holy Cross, cancelled in July)
- Friday: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Chapel of the Holy Cross, cancelled in July)
- Rosary: Monday – Sunday after the 8:00 AM Mass (St. John Vianney)
History of the Parish
The Catholic faithful in Sedona originally gathered for Mass at the one-room Brewer Schoolhouse beginning in the early 1940s; with only about 50 Catholics in the area, most had to travel to Cottonwood. In 1965, the Diocese of Phoenix established St. John Vianney Parish about five miles from the future Chapel of the Holy Cross site, in West Sedona, giving the community its own territorial parish. Four years later, in 1969, the diocese transferred ownership and administration of the Chapel of the Holy Cross to the parish, a relationship that continues today. Over the decades the parish has built up a 15-acre campus — including church, offices, the St. Michael Resource Center, the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, and a 24/7 Adoration Chapel — and announced in 2025 a $80 million, 200,000-square-foot expansion (in rezoning) for new St. Vincent de Paul facilities, low-income housing and a Catholic retreat center.
- 1941: Marguerite and Tony Staude purchase the Doodlebug Ranch; Mass celebrated at the Brewer Schoolhouse
- 1946: Death of Marguerite Brunswig Staude's mother; chapel project rededicated as a memorial
- 1955: Groundbreaking on the Chapel of the Holy Cross (April)
- 1956: Chapel of the Holy Cross completed (cost $300,000); Fr. John Driscoll assigned as first pastor
- 1957: Chapel receives AIA First Honor Award
- 1965: St. John Vianney Parish established in West Sedona
- 1969: Chapel of the Holy Cross transferred to St. John Vianney Parish / Diocese of Phoenix
- 2008: Chapel designated a Sedona Local Historic Landmark
- 2011: Chapel listed on the National Register of Historic Places
- 2015: Chapel designated an official Jubilee Year of Mercy pilgrimage site by Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted
- 2018: 33-foot bronze 'Tree of Life' crucifix dedicated (April 4, 2018)
- March 19, 2023: Fr. Ignatius Mazanowski installed as pastor and new altar dedicated by Bishop John Dolan
The Chapel of the Holy Cross
Owned and administered by St. John Vianney Parish since 1969, the Chapel of the Holy Cross is one of the great architectural pilgrimages of the American Southwest. Built directly into a pair of parallel red-rock buttes in 1954–1956 by the firm of Anshen & Allen, it was the brainchild of New Orleans-born sculptor Marguerite Brunswig Staude and a tribute to her parents, Lucien and Marguerite Brunswig. The chapel was designated a Sedona Local Historic Landmark in 2008 and added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2011. Today it is rated Sedona's #1 attraction and draws roughly 3 million visitors a year. The signature sacred art inside is a 33-foot bronze 'Tree of Life' crucifix with 12 leaves and three golden apples, sculpted by James Muir and dedicated in April 2018 by Bishop Olmsted.
- Address: 780 Chapel Road, Sedona, AZ 86336
- Architect: Anshen & Allen (San Francisco); lead designer August K. Strotz; project architect Richard Hein
- Contractor: William Simpson Construction Co. (supervisor Fred Coukos)
- Cost at completion (1956): $300,000
- AIA First Honor Award: 1957
- National Register of Historic Places: 2011
- Healing Mass: 3:00 PM Wednesdays and Fridays (cancelled in July)
- Special Healing Mass: First Friday of each month
- Prayer Teams: 1st and 3rd Fridays (year-round, except July)
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Pastor and Rector Fr. Ignatius Mazanowski, with Parochial Vicar Fr. David Kulandaisamy supporting sacramental life. Three deacons — Deacon Ron Martinez, Deacon Dennis Sullivan, and Deacon Steve Nache — assist at Mass and with parish ministries. Joe Barney serves as Pastoral Associate, and the broader staff includes Tim and Julie Smith (Directors of Music & Liturgy), Molly Barney (Director of Finance and HR), Maria Mendoza (Director of Development), Betty McGinnis (Director of Maintenance and Facilities), Rae-Mi LeRoy (Director of Parish & Chapel Initiatives), Mariah McLaughlin (Administrative Coordinator), Becky Goulet (Parish Secretary), and Lisa Aiello (Chapel Coordinator).
- Fr. Ignatius Mazanowski — Pastor & Rector, Chapel of the Holy Cross
- Fr. David Kulandaisamy — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Ron Martinez
- Deacon Dennis Sullivan
- Deacon Steve Nache
- Joe Barney — Pastoral Associate
- Tim & Julie Smith — Directors of Music & Liturgy
- Molly Barney — Director of Finance and HR
- Maria Mendoza — Director of Development
- Betty McGinnis — Director of Maintenance and Facilities
- Rae-Mi LeRoy — Director of Parish & Chapel Initiatives
- Mariah McLaughlin — Administrative Coordinator
- Becky Goulet — Parish Secretary
- Lisa Aiello — Chapel Coordinator
Pastoral Succession
Because the parish was only established in 1965, the verifiable pastoral succession is relatively short but well-documented. Father John Driscoll was the first priest assigned to the Chapel of the Holy Cross (in 1956, when it was still a Gallup-diocese mission) and was on hand when St. John Vianney Parish was later created. Father J.C. Ortiz is recorded as the parish's pastor in 2011, when he welcomed the Chapel's National Register listing. Father Kieran (Sir) Kleczewski, Ph.D., O.S.B., served as pastor from July 2015 until his death on September 30, 2020, and was followed in May 2021 by Father Ignatius Mazanowski, who was formally installed as pastor by Bishop John Dolan on Laetare Sunday, March 19, 2023.
- Fr. John Driscoll — first pastor of the Chapel of the Holy Cross (1956); precedes formal parish founding
- Fr. J.C. Ortiz — pastor in 2011; welcomed Chapel's National Register listing
- Fr. Kieran (Sir) Kleczewski, Ph.D., O.S.B. — pastor July 2015 – Sept. 30, 2020 (deceased)
- Fr. Ignatius Mazanowski — pastor May 2021 – present (installed March 19, 2023)
Parish Ministries & Outreach
St. John Vianney's ministry life is built around a strong sacramental foundation (OCIA, daily Mass, perpetual adoration) and a deep commitment to corporal works of mercy. The parish's signature social outreach is the St. Vincent de Paul Society Sedona Conference — one of the parish's oldest ministries — which runs a Thursday morning food pantry out of the parish parking lot and provides direct financial assistance for rent, utilities, medical care, automotive repairs, and emergency transportation. The Knights of Columbus council, lectors (Ministers of the Word), Sacristans, and the Media Ministry form the backbone of parish life, while the Healing Retreat program and the Chapel of the Holy Cross prayer-team ministry reflect the pastor's healing charism.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society (food pantry Thursdays 9:00–11:00 AM; rental/utility/medical/auto assistance; Angel Tree; Bundle Sunday)
- Knights of Columbus
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) — Sundays 11:30 AM–12:30 PM, Divine Mercy Room
- Ministers of the Word (Lectors) — Carol Copp
- Sacristan Ministry — Frank Slone (928-274-5882)
- Media Ministry — Rae-Mi LeRoy (livestream, social, web)
- Healing Retreat Ministry
- Chapel of the Holy Cross Healing Prayer Team (1st & 3rd Fridays)
- St. Michael Resource Center (parish library)
- Small Group Ministry
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance (Reconciliation), Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. Reconciliation is regularly available Saturday 3:30–4:45 PM, Sunday 5:00–5:45 PM, and Wednesdays and Fridays 1:00–2:45 PM at the Chapel of the Holy Cross, with appointments available by calling the parish office. Anointing of the Sick can be requested at any time by calling 928-204-2615. Adults seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church are welcomed through OCIA (formerly RCIA), with classes held Sundays 11:30 AM–12:30 PM in the Divine Mercy Room beginning each September.
- Baptism — contact parish office
- Confirmation (adult) — through OCIA
- First Communion preparation — contact parish office
- Reconciliation (Confession) — Sat 3:30–4:45 PM; Sun 5:00–5:45 PM; Wed & Fri 1:00–2:45 PM (Chapel of the Holy Cross); or by appointment
- Anointing of the Sick — 928-204-2615
- Matrimony — contact parish office
- OCIA — Sundays 11:30 AM–12:30 PM, Divine Mercy Room (Sept.–May)
Devotions & Special Services
Beyond the regular Mass and confession schedule, St. John Vianney offers a deep devotional life centered on Eucharistic adoration, the rosary, the Taizé prayer tradition, and a healing charism. The parish Adoration Chapel is open 24/7 by code from the office; adoration is also scheduled Wednesdays and Fridays at the Chapel of the Holy Cross. Each Monday at 5:00 PM the parish hosts a Taizé prayer service at the Chapel of the Holy Cross. First Fridays feature a Special Healing Mass with prayer-team ministry, and the parish periodically offers multi-day Healing Retreats in the spirit of Fr. Ignatius's book 'The Virtue of Mercy and Forgiveness.'
- 24/7 Adoration Chapel (code from parish office)
- Taizé Prayer Service — Mondays 5:00 PM, Chapel of the Holy Cross
- Special Healing Mass — First Friday, Chapel of the Holy Cross
- Healing Prayer Teams — 1st and 3rd Fridays at the Chapel of the Holy Cross
- Healing Retreats (multi-day)
- Rosary — daily after 8:00 AM Mass
- Stations of the Cross (outdoor, anytime)
Contact, Location & Visiting
St. John Vianney Catholic Church is located at 180 St. John Vianney Lane, Sedona, AZ 86336, in West Sedona, on a 15-acre campus. The parish office is open Monday–Friday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (closed weekends) and can be reached at 928-282-7545 or [email protected]. The Anointing-of-the-Sick line is 928-204-2615. The parish's second worship site, the Chapel of the Holy Cross, is at 780 Chapel Road, Sedona, AZ 86336, on Coconino National Forest land. Visitors to the Chapel of the Holy Cross are welcomed year-round (last entry one hour before closing; closed only on Christmas and Easter Sunday); a gift shop is on site. The Sunday 8:00 AM Mass is livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube; the Friday Chapel Mass is also livestreamed.
- Parish address: 180 St. John Vianney Lane, Sedona, AZ 86336
- Chapel of the Holy Cross: 780 Chapel Road, Sedona, AZ 86336
- Parish office phone: 928-282-7545
- Anointing of the Sick: 928-204-2615
- St. Vincent de Paul assistance: (928) 821-1292
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM; closed Sat–Sun
- Website: https://sjvsedona.org
Future Plans: Parish Expansion
In August 2025, Fr. Ignatius Mazanowski and Director of Parish & Chapel Initiatives Rae-Mi LeRoy publicly announced a 200,000-square-foot, approximately $80 million expansion of the parish's 15-acre West Sedona property. The project has three components: a new building for St. Vincent de Paul services (food pantry and direct aid), low-income housing units in partnership with Catholic Charities and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program (expected cost up to $20 million), and a retreat/lodging center for Catholic pilgrims with hermitages, counseling, and on-site mental-health services (additional expected cost up to $50 million). The rezoning application is under review by the City of Sedona, and the parish is in conversation with the diocese about funding once approval is secured.
- New St. Vincent de Paul services building
- Low-income housing with Catholic Charities & LIHTC
- Catholic retreat/lodging center with hermitages and two on-site mental health counselors
- Partnership with the Diocese of Phoenix Mental Health First-Aid program
- Rezoning application pending with the City of Sedona (filed 2025)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John Driscoll1956–
Assigned by Bishop Bernard T. Espelage of the Diocese of Gallup as the first pastor of the Chapel of the Holy Cross upon its completion in 1956; predates the formal establishment of St. John Vianney Parish (1965).
- Fr. J.C. Ortizc. 2011 (or earlier)
Pastor of St. John Vianney Catholic Church in 2011; publicly welcomed the Chapel of the Holy Cross's listing on the National Register of Historic Places that year.
- Rev. Kieran (Sir) Kleczewski, Ph.D., O.S.B.July 2015 – September 30, 2020
Pastor of St. John Vianney and president of the Chapel of the Holy Cross board; previously pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas in Avondale (which grew from a small church to 5,200 families under his leadership). Former Benedictine priest (St. Meinrad), Ph.D. from Georgetown, Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Directed the Office of Worship for the Diocese of Phoenix, served on the Diocesan Liturgical Building Commission, and created the Diocese of Phoenix sacred music curriculum. At St. John Vianney he commissioned all sacred art, started the children's choir, led the re-sacralization of the Chapel of the Holy Cross as a Jubilee Year of Mercy pilgrimage site, and organized construction of the altar later dedicated in 2023. Died September 30, 2020 of a stroke at age 70.
- Rev. Ignatius MazanowskiMay 2021 – present
Arrived at St. John Vianney in May 2021; installed by Bishop John Dolan on Laetare Sunday, March 19, 2023 as Pastor (and Rector of the Chapel of the Holy Cross). M.A. Theology, St. Meinrad (2004); attended seminary at The Catholic University of America; ordained 2011; Doctorate in Moral Theology from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (Santa Croce), Rome, 2016 — dissertation on mercy, forgiveness and healing of the heart. Completed the three-year Institute of Priestly Formation spiritual direction program (2018–2020). Director of Medical Ethics and Chaplain to the Catholic Medical Association for the Diocese of Phoenix; board member of Restore Dignity (Grief to Grace retreats); pioneering a Spiritual Healing Program with Witness to Love counseling center in Phoenix. Author of 'The Virtue of Mercy and Forgiveness: Keys to Healing a Broken Heart' and host of a related podcast.
