St. John Vianney

History of St. John Vianney Parish

St. John Vianney was founded in 1942 by the Diocese of Grand Rapids to serve the growing Catholic population on Wyoming's south side. The first church-community met in a converted building at 3860 S. Division Avenue, purchased for the new parish under founding pastor Fr. Francis M. Schultz. Within a decade the congregation had outgrown the original site, and a new, larger church was constructed at the present Clyde Park Avenue SW address. The Division Avenue location continued as a mission of St. John Vianney until 1974, when Bishop Joseph M. Breitenbeck formally erected it as the separate St. Dominic Parish. Today St. John Vianney remains a parish-and-school campus in the Grand Rapids South Deanery, now more than 80 years old.

Devotions & Other Services

Outside of Mass and confession, the parish gathers for a Sunday-evening Rosary from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., giving parishioners a quiet weekly devotion to close the weekend. School-age children also participate in seasonal devotions during the school year, including Stations of the Cross, a Living Rosary, and an Advent Light Service.

• Sunday Rosary: 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Stations of the Cross (school)
• Living Rosary (school)
• Advent Light Service (school)

St. John Vianney Catholic School

St. John Vianney Catholic School educates children from preschool through 8th grade on the same campus as the parish church, partnering with parents to form compassionate students who follow the path of Jesus Christ. The school describes itself as 'Fiercely Faithful' and frames its character program around the acronym SHINE — Self-control, Honesty, Inspire others, Never give up, Exemplify Christ. Students help lead weekly Mass as readers, greeters, altar servers, and cantors, and Fr. John Vallier regularly visits classrooms to teach and connect with students.

• Preschool through Grade 8
• Weekly Mass with student liturgical roles
• Classroom Ministry visits by Fr. John Vallier
• Mass Buddies & Faith Friends across grade levels
• Middle School Houses: Arc, Dominic, JP II, Thomas More
• Before Care (7:00–8:10 a.m.) and After Care / Study Hall (3:30–5:30 p.m.)
• Sacramental Preparation for Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation

Early Childhood Center

The parish's Early Childhood Center serves the youngest members of the community, with programs for Toddler 1s and 2s, Preschool 3s and 4s, and a Developmental Kindergarten classroom. The center shares the Clyde Park campus with the elementary school and is led by Early Childhood Director & Assistant Principal Olivia Griffin.

• Toddler 1s – Emily Anglim, Ty Ortiz
• Toddler 2s – Mary Alfaro, Becky Muzer
• Preschool 3s – Ally Krakowski
• Preschool 4s – Amber Rettig
• Developmental Kindergarten – Haley Reynolds
• School Age After-Care – Vicki Warmolts
• Childcare Assistant – Deb Moyer
• Director: Olivia Griffin — [email protected], (616) 534-5392

Faith Formation, Youth & Athletics

Faith formation at St. John Vianney extends beyond the school day through the Youth Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, directed by Mr. Jim Hurst, who also serves as a Middle School Theology Teacher and coordinates sacramental preparation. Students in grades 6–8 belong to one of four student-named Houses — Arc, Dominic, JP II, and Thomas More — that foster leadership, teamwork, and community through service and competitions. Athletics are offered through the Grand Rapids Area Catholic Elementary Athletic Council (ACEAC), and middle-school students can join the Catholic Central High School robotics program for STEM competition experience.

• Youth Office of Evangelization and Catechesis — Mr. Jim Hurst
• Middle School Theology — Mr. Jim Hurst
• Sacramental Preparation coordination — Mr. Jim Hurst
• ACEAC sports
• Middle School Robotics (Grades 6–8)
• Band (Grades 5–8, with Grades 7–8 band)
• Field trips to Blandford Nature Center, Aquinas College, Calvin University

Parish Staff & Clergy

The parish is led by Rev. John Vallier, who has served as pastor of St. John Vianney for at least eight years and was ordained in 1987. Youth ministry and sacramental preparation are coordinated by Mr. Jim Hurst, Director of the Youth Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, who has worked in youth ministry and catechesis for 19 years. The Early Childhood Center is led by Olivia Griffin, Director and Assistant Principal.

• Pastor: Rev. John Vallier (ordained 1987)
• Director of Youth Office of Evangelization and Catechesis / Middle School Theology Teacher: Mr. Jim Hurst
• Early Childhood Director & Assistant Principal: Olivia Griffin

Visiting St. John Vianney

St. John Vianney is located at 4101 Clyde Park Avenue SW in Wyoming, Michigan, just southwest of Grand Rapids in Kent County. The parish shares the campus with St. John Vianney Catholic School and the Early Childhood Center. According to the Diocese of Grand Rapids listing, all parish facilities are handicapped accessible. Visitors are warmly welcomed at any of the weekday or Sunday Masses, and the Monday Eucharistic Adoration period is open throughout the day for those wishing to pray before the Blessed Sacrament.

• Address: 4101 Clyde Park Ave SW, Wyoming, MI 49509
• Phone: (616) 534-5449
• Fax: (616) 530-8224
• Email: [email protected]
• All facilities handicapped accessible
• Diocese: Grand Rapids — Grand Rapids South Deanery