Saint John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church
Administrator:
Rev. James Atkins
Church Address:
207 Standard Street
Mingo Junction, OH 43938
Phone:

740-535-0271 (rectory)
740-424-2236 (cell)

Fax:
740-537-9802
Alternate Contact:
Bob Olexia
420 Petrick Avenue
Mingo Junction, OH 43938
740-381-8593 (cell)
E-mail:
Web site:
n/a
DIVINE LITURGY SCHEDULE
Sundays:
11:00 am
Confessions:
after Sunday liturgy and upon request
GREAT FAST (LENT) SERVICES
Fridays:
5:00 pm - Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts


St. John's community of Byzantine Catholics traces its roots to the immigrant-filled days at the turn of the century. The expanding steel-making facilities and coal fields in and around Mingo Junction attracted many Rusin people. They settled there and soon wanted to establish a parish for worship. In 1923 a small group of these immigrants became the nucleus of St. John's parish.

In the early days the community was served by the Byzantine Catholic priest from St. Joseph's Parish in Toronto, Ohio. At first they celebrated the Liturgy in the old St. Agnes School. Shortly afterwards, several houses were bought on McLister Avenue. They were used until 1927 when the present St. John's Church was built. The cornerstone was laid and blessed by Bishop Basil Takach and the church was dedicated in 1928. The parish continued to be administered by the priest from Toronto with services once a month. An appeal was made to increase the ministry to the needs of the people. The church was made a mission parish of St. Mary's in Weirton, WV, and Liturgy was celebrated weekly.

As the years passed, the people continued to hope for a resident priest of their own. In 1958 an opportunity to acquire a rectory was realized. Many houses in the path of the relocated Route 7 were put up for sale. They were to be moved or torn down. One of the houses close to the church was purchased from the state of Ohio, and the parish moved it to a lot adjoining the church property.

The rectory was put in readiness for a priest. The happy day came on May 5, 1961 when Fr. Charles Kofile was assigned as pastor. Since that time, many improvements have been made. The exterior of the church took on a new look in 1962 when the entrance was renovated, adjoining the rectory to the church. The interior was renovated and redecorated in 1965.

The foundations of St. John's were laid with sacrifices and the parish endured numerous hardships by remaining faithful. Many priests have had the opportunity to serve the people of St. John's. Each priest brought his own particular gifts and each shared the sorrows and joys with the people. In turn, they all took with them the Christian love of the people of St. John's.

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