St. John

Welcome to St. John the Evangelist, Clonmel

The parish describes itself as a Roman Catholic community "dedicated to worshipping God, loving and serving others, and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with all we meet," and explicitly welcomes single adults, families, lifelong Catholics, and those returning after time away. Office hours are Tuesday–Thursday 8:30 AM–5:00 PM and Friday 8:30 AM–3:00 PM.

A Parish Story: From 1878 Mission to 2024 Church

Irish-American homesteaders led by Edward Wall built St. John's Mission in 1878 about two and a half miles northwest of the present site. After the original church burned in 1899, the congregation relocated to the rail line in 1905–07, founding the colony town of Clonmel (named for Wall's Irish birthplace). A 1923 cyclone damaged the rebuilt church; in 1926 a school-and-church combination went up; in 1946 a former Strother Field Army chapel was moved 40+ miles to Clonmel and dedicated in 1947. Ground was broken in November 2022 for a brand-new church that Bishop Carl A. Kemme dedicated, with a relic of Blessed Carlo placed in the altar.

• 1878 — Original St. John's Mission built northwest of present site; later destroyed by fire in spring 1899.
• 1904 — Kansas City, Mexico & Orient Railway lays track; Edward Wall donates land for a new parish site and the colony town of Clonmel.
• 1923 — Cyclone lifts the frame church off its foundation; it is eventually demolished.
• 1926 — Fr. E. Coolen oversees a school/church combination building under St. Peter the Apostle, Schulte.
• 1944 — Fr. R. J. Simms appointed as first resident pastor of St. John.
• 1946 — Parish purchases a former U.S. Army chapel from Strother Field and moves it 40+ miles to Clonmel.
• 1947 (Sept. 24) — New (relocated) church dedicated.
• November 2022 — Ground broken for current church, with Fr. Joe Tatro, Bishop Kemme, and Dondlinger Construction / Sheldon Architecture.
• 2024 — New St. John the Evangelist church dedicated by Bishop Kemme.

Mass and Worship Schedule

The parish offers a full weekly schedule of Masses: a Saturday Vigil at 5:30 PM, two Sunday Masses at 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM, and daily Mass Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 8:00 AM with Wednesday evening Mass at 6:30 PM. Office hours are Tuesday–Thursday 8:30 AM–5:00 PM and Friday 8:30 AM–3:00 PM.

Parish Faith Formation

Adult inquirers and catechumens enter through the parish's Metanoia program — the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA). Classes begin the first Tuesday of September and meet Tuesday evenings at 7 PM throughout the academic year, with full initiation at the Easter Vigil. Children and youth formation runs through Wednesday Formation, and Sacramental preparation is offered for First Communion, Confirmation, and marriage.

• Metanoia (OCIA) – 1st Tuesday of September start, Tuesdays at 7 PM
• Wednesday Formation – weekly religious education for children/youth
• Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation preparation

Parish Ministries & Outreach

The parish maintains an active ministry roster catalogued in its Ministry Booklet, including liturgical, community, and outreach ministries. Coordinators and contact information for each ministry are listed on the parish website. Notably, the parish describes itself as 'a small parish with a big heart,' and ministries reflect both internal parish life (Altar Society, parish dinners, Trunk or Treat) and external service (the Lord's Diner soup kitchen in Wichita, Respect Life work, visiting nursing homes).

• Altar Society – Nicole Pracht (President)
• Parish Dinner (Dec 27, Feast of St. John the Evangelist)
• Trunk or Treat (October) – Kelly Belton
• Visit Nursing Homes – Kelly Belton
• Funeral Ministry (Virtus-required)
• Meal Train (2nd Monday of the month, 5:30–7:30 PM; food-handler class required)
• Pro-Life / Respect Life Issues – Elaina Maus
• Lord's Diner (Wichita soup kitchen)
• Coordinator of Parish Life – Cassi FitzGerald

Building the Future: Capital Campaign

In the wake of the 2024 new-church dedication, the parish is continuing to fund the project through its "Investing in our Faith, Family, Future" Capital Campaign. The parish invited parishioners and friends to make pledges and to donate online through a Capital Campaign Building Fund link on the official website, and the homepage thanks those who have made pledges to date.

• Campaign name: 'Investing in our Faith, Family, Future'
• Online donations accepted via Capital Campaign Building Fund link
• Photo gallery of construction progress hosted on the parish website

Clonmel: An Irish-American Colony Town

The parish is the heart of the unincorporated community of Clonmel in Sedgwick County, Kansas, founded by Irish-American homesteaders led by Edward Wall — born in Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland, who emigrated in 1847 during the potato famine. After the Clonmel post office closed in 1938 and the railroad eventually departed, the town shrank, but the bond of St. John's Catholic Church kept Clonmel alive for subsequent generations.

• Town named for Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, Ireland, by Edward Wall
• Walter Wall built the first general store/Clonmel post office in 1905
• Original St. John's Mission cemetery lies about three miles north of the present parish compound
• Town formally lasted 1871–1938 as a populated colony

Visit & Contact

St. John the Evangelist is located in Viola, Kansas in unincorporated Sedgwick County at the intersection of K-42 Highway and 71st Street South. Visitors are warmly welcomed at all Masses, during the extended Monday-into-Tuesday Eucharistic Adoration, or by calling the parish office during business hours.

• Address: 18630 West 71st Street South, Viola, KS 67149
• Phone: (620) 545-7171
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: http://stjohnsclonmel.org/
• Office hours: Tue–Thu 8:30 AM–5:00 PM; Fri 8:30 AM–3:00 PM