St John of the Woods Pastoral Team

• Bryan Dolejsi, Parochial Vicar
• Dominic Nguyen, S.J., Parochial Vicar
• Colleen Whitehead, Pastoral Associate
• Olga Waller, Secretary

St John of the Woods Parish (Map)
9903 24th Avenue East
Tacoma WA 98445
Parish Office Phone 253-537-8551 
Parish Office Fax 253-537-0459
Religious Education 253-531-7110

Email: info-stjohn@catholic-tacoma.org

St John of the Woods Mass Schedule
Tuesday thru Friday at 9:00 am Saturday at 5:30 pm
Sunday at 8:00 am and 10:00 am

St John of the Special Events

St John Of The Woods After Mass Breakfast

St John of the Woods Parish History

St John's Parish (1924-1994) Tacoma, Washington

Father Hubert J. Mertens was one of those pioneering priests who played a major role in the building of the parishes and missions of Western Washington. Father Mertens came to British Columbia from Germany in 1908. He opened a hospital and school at Comox on Vancouver Island. In April 1918 he came to Gig Harbor as pastor. From there he served numerous missions and stations including Eatonville, Alder, Mineral, and Morton.

In the fall of 1924 he saw that the Catholics of Midland and Summit needed his ministry. He gathered the people of this area in the home of Frank Dillion and it was decided to use private homes for the celebration of mass until a church could be erected. The 1st church was begun in the fall of 1929 and completed next spring at a cost of about $3,000. It was a simple structure seating 175 persons. Funding came from a donation from the Extension Society, Father Mertens' personal funds and parish contributions. It was destroyed by fire December 20, 1940.

From 1924 to 1932 Father Mertens lived in a little 2 room frame house on the grounds of St. Ann's Home. 1932 the present rectory was built at the cost of $2,000.

Tragically, Father Mertens was killed at Polk and 99th on October 26, 1938 while riding his bicycle. He was succeeded as pastor by Father Edmund Barry on July 14, 1939. Father Barry was also chaplain of Marymount Military Academy and pastor of St. Benedict's (now Our Lady, Queen of Heaven, Spanaway). Father Robert E. Logan replaced Father Barry January 15, 1944 and set about building the present church which was completed December 14, 1947.

Father Andrew M. Prouty became pastor on February 5, 1954. During his tenure the present Parish Hall was built and dedicated on April 8, 1958. He also did extensive remodeling in the rectory and purchased 10 additional acres in 1960. Father Brendan Gallagher replaced Father Prouty in the fall of 1965. Shortly afterwards the CCD classrooms were erected.

Father Michael]. Schmitt arrived in February 1971, and was followed by Reverend Patrick McDermott in February 1975. Between 1975 and 1994 the parish had five pastors.

About this time the impact of the changes mandated by Vatican II began to be felt. Beginning in the late 1960's the language of the mass and sacraments became the vernacular. But even more significant was the development of the lay minister. Lectors and Eucharistic ministers became part of every Sunday liturgy. The growth in lay ministry was starting.

Lay persons began to minister to the sick and elderly in nursing homes and hospitals. The laity assumed important leadership roles in almost every area of church life.

Father Gordon Douglas arrived in July 1977 and departed July 1978 to be succeeded by Reverend Carl Hageman. Father William Slate arrived in July 1987 and was succeeded by Parochial Vicar, Father P. G. O'Neill on July 1, 1994.

On July 1st St. John of the Woods, St. Ann's, and Sacred Heart were joined into a single Pastoral unit or cluster with Father Vince Pastro as pastor.