About

St. John's Parish is open to worshippers of all ages and backgrounds. We lead our congregation in worship, deepening the connection to God, understanding the teachings of Christ, and ultimately to a vibrant faith.

We have a long, proud history of serving the people of Guelph. Through the dedication of our leadership, staff members and volunteers, we are committed to the teachings of Jesus Christ, and are here to spread His message. Contact us today to find out more about becoming part of the St. John's Parish community.

Our Calling

At St. John's Parish, we pursue the Glory of God through worship, ministry, giving and education. We strive to connect with Jesus Christ and to each other, in order to magnify His name. At the heart of everything we do is the understanding that we must love God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind, and to treat our neighbors as we wish to be treated ourselves.

Our Values

Our congregation is fueled by a firm belief in the teachings of our Lord, and when we are together under the holy spirit of God — we become one. We welcome you to join our community and discover His power in your life. Don’t hesitate to contact us to find out more. We are always open to visitors and new worshippers who want to come and pray among us.

Our History

Establishment of St. John’s Parish

St. John’s Parish of Guelph, was established by the Most Reverend Joseph Francis Ryan, J.C.D., D.D., Bishop of Hamilton,
effective July 4, 1966. At the same time, His Excellency named
Father Francis A. Sienna as Administrator. St. John’s School Hall
was designated as the centre for all parish functions.

The first two Sunday Masses in St. John's Parish were celebrated
on Sunday, July 10, 1966. The attendance was excellent, the parish
hall being filled twice to capacity. Approximately $400 was received
in the collections, an important factor in the financial life of a new parish.

Before proceeding further at this point it might be considered
advisable to look backward at the events which led to the establishment
of this new parish in the Hamilton Diocese.

St. John's Roots in Sacred Heart Parish

In 1958, Father P. Bodendistel, Pastor of Sacred Heart and his
young assistant, Father Sienna, realized that a school and church
would be needed in the Victoria Road area of the City. Sacred Heart
Church had grown to over 1,500 families and the church and school
facilities were badly overcrowded. After repeated representation to
the Roman Catholic Separate School Board, a 10-acre tract of land
was purchased on Victoria Road. On this site, the four room St
John’s School had come into existence.

The responsibility of looking after the spiritual welfare of the
new school fell to Sacred Heart Parish. The location of the property
was approximately three-quarters within St. John’s territory and
one-quarter within the territory of Holy Rosary Parish, although the
school itself was wholly within the confines of Sacred Heart Parish
Father Sienna was unofficially assigned this responsibility as part of
his regular duties.