History
- July 1, 1992 – St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church was founded. Fr. Ronald Schulz was the Administrator.
- November 1, 1992 – St. John’s first Mass was celebrated at the Olympic Heights High School in Boca Raton, Florida.
- October 1, 1995 – Fr. Schulz rented a space at the Hampton Square Plaza in Boca Raton, Florida to use as the parish office and a place to worship.
- September 22, 1997 – Fr. Michael O’Flaherty was appointed the second pastor. St. John had 350 registered parish families.
- October 1998 – St. John’s land on Yamato Road was cleared in anticipation of the capital campaign to build a multi-purpose building.
- February 1999 – The first capital campaign “Our Faith…Our Future” was launched.
- January 15, 2000 – Groundbreaking ceremony of the multi-purpose building.
- The weekend of March 3, 2001 – The first Mass was celebrated under tents in the church parking lot while waiting for the multi-purpose building certificate of occupancy.
- June 29, 2003 – $3.4 million mortgage was burnt at all Masses.
- February 2004 – Second Capital Campaign “Our Faith…Our Future II” was launched.
- March 8, 2009 – Groundbreaking celebration of the new church building.
- September 18, 2010 – The Most Reverend Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito dedicated the new church. The church includes a separate chapel for daily Mass and Eucharistic Adoration and beautiful stained-glass windows sponsored by generous parishioners and friends. St. John grew to 1486 registered families.
- June 30, 2020 – Fr. Michael O’Flaherty retired after 23 years serving St. John’s parishioners. Under Fr. O’Flaherty’s leadership, the church $7 million mortgage was paid off.
- July 1, 2020 – Fr. Dominic Toan Tran was appointed the Administrator during the most devastated COVID-19 pandemic.
- October 24, 2020 – St. John celebrated the 10th Anniversary Dedication of the Church.
- October 3, 2021 – The Most Reverend Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito presided and installed Fr. Dominic Toan Tran as St. John’s third pastor.
- May 1, 2022 – St. John was proud to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Founding Parish and expanded the Prayer Garden. The Garden is intended to be a quiet place for meditation, prayer, inspiration, and renewal. The hope of whoever visits the garden will find a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere where one can connect with God, find inner peace and hear the small still voice of the Lord.
- St. John strives on its mission: “Desire to grow in faith and union with Jesus Christ and one another. We strive to always be a place of welcome and reconciliation. Through worship, prayer, learning, and action, we seek to respond to the challenges of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we will accomplish this mission.”
- St. John turns a page in history and continues with the Parish Motto “Be Kind”. 1600 parish families register at St. John.
- “I am blessed to be a part of St. John present and future”, said Fr. Dominic Toan Tran. My priesthood motto comes from the Gospel of St. John: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and I appointed you to go and bear fruit”. Therefore, I desire to bear fruits that make a difference in a wounded world, bringing out love, peace, kindness, healing, justice, and mercy to all.
