About St. John · Westminster, Maryland
St. John Roman Catholic Church is the Catholic parish of Westminster, Maryland, centrally located in Carroll County. Established in 1853, the parish traces its roots even further back to a 1777 cemetery donation by John Logsdon and Jesuit missionary activity in the region. Today it is a large, active faith community running a parish school, daily and Sunday Mass in English and Spanish, perpetual adoration, a St. Vincent de Paul conference, and a wide range of ministries. It is the only Catholic parish in Westminster and is preparing for its 175th anniversary in 2028.
- Established
- 1853
- Patron
- St. John (the Evangelist, as the parish is named St. John)
- Rector
- Rev. Mark S. Bialek
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Baltimore
Why belong here
St. John is one of the most active Catholic parishes in Carroll County, offering something for nearly every stage of life. Families can send their children to the parish's own Catholic school; the faithful can pray in a Perpetual Adoration Chapel open during parish office hours; Spanish-speaking Catholics are served with a weekly Spanish Mass (1pm Sunday and 7pm Wednesday in summer) and Spanish confessions; and a robust St. Vincent de Paul conference helps the local poor through a food pantry and home visits. With a variety of musical styles at Masses — solemn, cantor-led, full choir, contemporary band, and Spanish choir — newcomers can find a worship style that fits, and a children's homily and Children's Liturgy of the Word keep younger parishioners engaged.
Mass times at St. John
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 6:20 pm – 6:55 pm (Spanish)
- Saturday 3:30 pm – 4:15 pm
- Sunday 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm (Spanish)
- Sunday 5:00 pm – 5:45 pm
- Saturday Vigil: confessions available starting at 3:00 pm (per New to the Parish page)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration in the Adoration Chapel in the Parish Center; open during regularly scheduled Parish Office Hours (Monday–Thursday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm in summer). Committed weekly hour sign-ups via adorationpro.org/johnwestminster.
Parish Identity and Mission
St. John Roman Catholic Church is the Catholic parish of Westminster, Maryland, centrally located in Carroll County. Founded in 1853 and rooted in a Catholic presence on the same grounds since 1777, the parish proclaims the loving presence of God to all in the community through its school, the Holy Mass, family life, faith formation, the gifts of its members, and the help of the Holy Spirit. The parish belongs to the Archdiocese of Baltimore and is led by Fr. Mark S. Bialek, pastor.
- Established 1853
- Part of the Archdiocese of Baltimore
- Located at 43 Monroe Street, Westminster, MD 21157
- Pastor: Rev. Mark S. Bialek
History of St. John Parish
Catholic life in Westminster predates the parish by 76 years. In 1777 John Logsdon donated four acres for a cemetery and church, which was served by Jesuit missionaries from the Conewago mission circuit out of Pennsylvania. Under Rev. Nicholas Zocchi, a small brick church called Christ Church was built on the cemetery grounds in 1805. The parish was canonically established in 1853 under first pastor Rev. Thomas O'Neil (1851–1862); he was succeeded by Rev. John Gloyd (1862–1889), who acquired the 30-acre Grandadam farm and began the Gothic Revival church on East Main Street on April 18, 1865, designed by Baltimore architect Eval Faxton with 500,000 bricks donated by John Orndorff. The current campus — built about 25 years before the 175th anniversary — replaced an earlier 1970s-era church that is now known as 'the Portico.'
- 1777: John Logsdon donates 4 acres for cemetery and church
- 1805: Rev. Nicholas Zocchi builds 'Christ Church' on the cemetery grounds
- 1853: Parish canonically established
- 1851–1862: First pastor Rev. Thomas O'Neil
- 1862–1889: Rev. John Gloyd acquires Grandadam farm and begins the 1865 church
- 1865: Gothic Revival church begun on East Main Street (designed by Eval Faxton)
- c.2000s: Present church and parish campus established
Parish Clergy and Staff
St. John is served by a pastor, two associate pastors, and a priest in residence, supported by permanent deacons and a lay staff that includes a business manager, director of liturgical music, facilities director, director of formation and innovation, youth and young adult ministry coordinator, and parish office staff.
- Rev. Mark S. Bialek — Pastor ([email protected], ext. 237)
- Rev. José (Jose de Jesus) Aguayo — Associate Pastor
- Rev. Shiadrik Mokum — Associate Pastor
- Rev. Jack Ward — In Residence
- Permanent Deacons (two listed)
- Business Manager, Director of Liturgical Music, Office Administrator
- Executive Assistant to the Pastor / Office Manager (bilingual)
- Director of Formation and Innovation, Facilities Director
- Youth and Young Adult Ministry Coordinator
- Archivist / Front Office
Faith Formation, School, and Youth Ministry
Faith formation at St. John spans the parish school, the Religious Education program (with catechists, assistants, substitutes, and traffic helpers), Vacation Bible School, and a youth and young adult ministry. The parish school has its own long history tied to the parish; what began as classes held in the original Christ Church building continued when the old building was dismantled in 1872 and a new school built on parish property. Today St. John Catholic School (sjwestschool.org) shares the campus.
- St. John Catholic School (PreK through 8th grade)
- Religious Education / Faith Formation Office (410-848-8443)
- Vacation Bible School (VBS)
- Youth and Young Adult Ministry
- Children's Homily (1st Sunday, 9 am & 11 am Masses)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word (3rd Sunday, 9 am Mass)
Outreach: St. Vincent de Paul Society
St. John's St. Vincent de Paul conference (known internally as 'Vincent') helps the poor of Carroll County through a food pantry and home visits. Volunteers ('Vincents') serve neighbors in need, and the pantry depends on donations and volunteers.
- St. Vincent de Paul Office: 410-848-8693
- Contact: Cathy Hoffman, [email protected]
- Food pantry assistance for local families
- Home visit ministry to the poor
Parish Registration and Sacraments
The parish welcomes any individual or family to register regardless of address — church law no longer limits registration to particular boundaries. Registration makes it easier to schedule sacraments, register for Religious Education, sponsor a sacrament recipient (e.g., as a Godparent), plan funerals, and receive parish mailings. Sacramental preparation is offered for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick, and Mass Intentions can be requested through the parish office.
- Parish registration (no boundary restrictions)
- Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation preparation
- Marriage preparation and wedding coordination
- Anointing of the Sick and funeral planning
- Sponsor/Godparent certificates for registered parishioners
- Mass Intentions requested through the parish office
Campus and Facilities
The parish campus at 43 Monroe Street includes the current church, the historic Portico (the former 1970s church), the Parish Center (housing the Adoration Chapel and parish offices), the parish school, and the historic Rectory from the 1865 era now used as offices. A $3 million, three-year capital campaign titled 'Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord' is currently underway to replace the school roof, modernize the church's lighting and sound, replace aging HVAC units, redesign the bell tower to match the architectural style of the present church, install new stained glass windows salvaged from three closing Baltimore 'Seek the City' parishes, and refresh the interior with new paint and wood wainscoting. The bell tower redesign is targeted for completion in fall 2028, coinciding with the parish's 175th anniversary.
- Current church with Portico (former 1970s church)
- Parish Center with Adoration Chapel
- St. John Catholic School
- Original 1865 Rectory still used as offices
- 'Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord' $3 million capital campaign (2024–2028)
- New stained glass from three closing Seek the City parishes in Baltimore
- Bell tower redesign targeted for fall 2028
Music and Liturgy
Music is a defining feature of worship at St. John, with a style to match every preference: solemn Mass without music at 7:00 am; cantor with guitar and keyboard at 9:00 am; full choir with organ at 11:00 am; Spanish choir and band at 1:00 pm; and a contemporary praise and worship band at 6:00 pm. The Director of Liturgical Music coordinates these efforts, and the parish's Stations of the Cross are highlighted by special lighting installed as part of the current capital campaign.
- Solemn Mass (7:00 am Sunday)
- Cantor, guitar, and keyboard (9:00 am Sunday)
- Full choir and organ (11:00 am Sunday)
- Spanish choir and band (1:00 pm Sunday)
- Contemporary praise and worship band (6:00 pm Sunday)
- Stations of the Cross with new lighting
Visiting and Newcomers
St. John welcomes visitors and newcomers of all backgrounds. Each Mass lasts about an hour and includes Scripture readings, prayers, a homily from one of the priests, and Holy Communion. Newcomers are encouraged to register as parishioners, and the parish office (open Monday–Thursday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm in summer) can answer questions about sacraments, faith formation, the school, the St. Vincent de Paul pantry, or how to get involved.
- All are welcome at Mass
- Parish registration open to any individual or family
- Bulletin and FlockNote announcements via [email protected]
- Summer parish office hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Thomas O'Neil1851–1862
First pastor; under his service St. John was canonically established in 1853.
- Rev. John Gloyd1862–1889
Acquired the 30-acre Grandadam farm and began construction of the Gothic Revival church on East Main Street on April 18, 1865.