Saint John the Evangelist
Saint John, our Church's Patron Saint (Photo Credit: Catholic Answers)
Saint John the Evangelist, also known as Saint John the Apostle or John, the son of Zebedee, was one of the twelve Apostles personally called by Jesus. He was the brother of James the Greater, and together they were nicknamed the "Sons of Thunder"—a title reflecting their fervent spirit and deep devotion.
Saint John is traditionally credited with authoring the Gospel that bears his name, a profound theological work that emphasizes the divinity of Christ. He is also venerated for his role in caring for the Blessed Virgin Mary after the crucifixion, a responsibility entrusted to him by Christ Himself from the Cross.
Uniquely among the Apostles, Saint John is believed to have died of natural causes, distinguishing him from his fellow disciples, most of whom suffered martyrdom for their faith. His Feast Day is celebrated on December 27, the third day of the Christmas season, highlighting his closeness to the Incarnation and the mystery of the Word made flesh.
In Christian iconography, Saint John is often depicted with an eagle, a symbol of the soaring, heavenly perspective found in his Gospel. The eagle represents the contemplative ascent of the soul toward God and serves as an emblem of the clarity, depth, and spiritual vision that marked his life and writings. Through this imagery, believers are reminded of the call to rise above the temporal and fix their gaze firmly on the eternal.
Saint John is traditionally credited with authoring the Gospel that bears his name, a profound theological work that emphasizes the divinity of Christ. He is also venerated for his role in caring for the Blessed Virgin Mary after the crucifixion, a responsibility entrusted to him by Christ Himself from the Cross.
Uniquely among the Apostles, Saint John is believed to have died of natural causes, distinguishing him from his fellow disciples, most of whom suffered martyrdom for their faith. His Feast Day is celebrated on December 27, the third day of the Christmas season, highlighting his closeness to the Incarnation and the mystery of the Word made flesh.
In Christian iconography, Saint John is often depicted with an eagle, a symbol of the soaring, heavenly perspective found in his Gospel. The eagle represents the contemplative ascent of the soul toward God and serves as an emblem of the clarity, depth, and spiritual vision that marked his life and writings. Through this imagery, believers are reminded of the call to rise above the temporal and fix their gaze firmly on the eternal.
Our Church's History
In the early 19th Century, a substantial influx of Irish immigrants to Middletown coalesced into a cohesive community by 1830, prompting the desire for an independent place of worship. In 1841, two acres of land were acquired at the current Church site, primarily through the support of parishioners, many of whom were employed in the brownstone quarries of Portland. Generous donations of large brownstone blocks from quarry owners facilitated the construction of the inaugural church.
Notably, St. John's, established in 1843, predates the creation of the Diocese of Norwich on August 06, 1953, by His Holiness Pope Venerable Pius XII. As the oldest church in the Diocese, St. John's remained under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Hartford until 1953. The distinguished ecclesiastical Gothic Revival architecture was conceived by architect Patrick Charles Keely, with construction executed by local Irish immigrants under the guidance of the esteemed builder Barzialli Sage.
The initial church, completed in 1843, underwent subsequent modifications, including the erection of the current spire in 1864. Three exterior renovations have transpired, with the present church, accommodating up to one thousand worshipers, completed in 1852. Internally, the Church's walls bear frescoes by local artist William Borgett, complemented by periodic interior renovations. Recognized as a significant contributing property in the City of Middletown Historic District, St. John's has retained its architectural and historical prominence.
In 2017, the Parishes of SS John & Sebastian were formally yoked under the leadership of Rev. James Thaikoottathil, J.C.D., who assumed the role of the first Pastor of the yoked parishes. A momentous milestone was reached in 2018 as the Church celebrated its 175th Anniversary on September 30, marked by the rededication ceremony officiated by His Excellency, Bishop Michael Richard Cote, D.D., Bishop of Norwich.
Notably, St. John's, established in 1843, predates the creation of the Diocese of Norwich on August 06, 1953, by His Holiness Pope Venerable Pius XII. As the oldest church in the Diocese, St. John's remained under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Hartford until 1953. The distinguished ecclesiastical Gothic Revival architecture was conceived by architect Patrick Charles Keely, with construction executed by local Irish immigrants under the guidance of the esteemed builder Barzialli Sage.
The initial church, completed in 1843, underwent subsequent modifications, including the erection of the current spire in 1864. Three exterior renovations have transpired, with the present church, accommodating up to one thousand worshipers, completed in 1852. Internally, the Church's walls bear frescoes by local artist William Borgett, complemented by periodic interior renovations. Recognized as a significant contributing property in the City of Middletown Historic District, St. John's has retained its architectural and historical prominence.
In 2017, the Parishes of SS John & Sebastian were formally yoked under the leadership of Rev. James Thaikoottathil, J.C.D., who assumed the role of the first Pastor of the yoked parishes. A momentous milestone was reached in 2018 as the Church celebrated its 175th Anniversary on September 30, marked by the rededication ceremony officiated by His Excellency, Bishop Michael Richard Cote, D.D., Bishop of Norwich.
Pastors of St. John Church
Rev. John Brady, Sr. (1837-1845)
Rev. John Brady, Jr. (1845-1855)
Rev. Lawrence Mangan (1855-1857)
Rev. James Lynch (1857-1873)
Rev. Edward J. O'Brien (1873-1876)
Rev. Francis P. O'Keefe (1876-1881)
Rev. Denis Desmond (1881-1885)
Rev. Bernard O'Reilly Sheridan, P.R. (1885-1903)
Rev. James Patrick Donovan, D.D., P.R. (1903-1928)
Rev. Denis F. Baker, P.R. (1928-1931)
Rev. William J. Fitzgerald, P.R. (1931-1934)
Rev. John C. Brennan, P.R. (1934-1944)
Rev. Bernard F. McCarthy (1944-1948)
Mgsr. John J. McGrath (1948-1961)
Mgsr. Edward J. McKenna (1962-1986)
Rev. Joseph C. Ashe (1986-2002)
Rev. Dennis G. Carey (2002-2004)
Rev. Anthony P. Gruber (2004-2005)
Rev. James J. Sucholet (2005-2009)
Rev. Michael L. Phillippino (2009-2017)
Rev. James Thaikoottathil, J.C.D. (2017-Present)
Note that P.R. means Permanent Rector
Rev. John Brady, Jr. (1845-1855)
Rev. Lawrence Mangan (1855-1857)
Rev. James Lynch (1857-1873)
Rev. Edward J. O'Brien (1873-1876)
Rev. Francis P. O'Keefe (1876-1881)
Rev. Denis Desmond (1881-1885)
Rev. Bernard O'Reilly Sheridan, P.R. (1885-1903)
Rev. James Patrick Donovan, D.D., P.R. (1903-1928)
Rev. Denis F. Baker, P.R. (1928-1931)
Rev. William J. Fitzgerald, P.R. (1931-1934)
Rev. John C. Brennan, P.R. (1934-1944)
Rev. Bernard F. McCarthy (1944-1948)
Mgsr. John J. McGrath (1948-1961)
Mgsr. Edward J. McKenna (1962-1986)
Rev. Joseph C. Ashe (1986-2002)
Rev. Dennis G. Carey (2002-2004)
Rev. Anthony P. Gruber (2004-2005)
Rev. James J. Sucholet (2005-2009)
Rev. Michael L. Phillippino (2009-2017)
Rev. James Thaikoottathil, J.C.D. (2017-Present)
Note that P.R. means Permanent Rector
Curates/Parochial Vicars of St. John Church
-Rev. Michael O’Neale (1864)
Rev. William H. Rogers (1871-1873)
Rev. William F. O’Brein (1873-1874)
Rev. E.E. Norbert (1874)
Rev. Patrick Duggan (1874-1876)
Rev. Joseph Synnott (1878-1883)
Rev. John H. Carroll (1882-1885)
Rev. D.M. Lawlor (1884-1885)
Rev. Michael St. Mary (1885-1890)
Rev. Andrew F. Harty (1886)
Rev. M.J. O’Donohoe (1886-1891)
Rev. Michael E. McCarten (1890-1892)
Rev. Matthew J. Traynor (1891-1892)
Rev. Patrick Joseph McGivney (1892-1901)
Rev. James A. Walsh (1891-1902)
Rev. Michael J. Lynch (1901-1902)
Rev. C. Brennen (1902)
Rev. John Joseph Elty (1902-1906)
Rev. Michael Lynch (1901-1904)
Rev. James E. Derwin (1902)
Rev. Joseph William Barry (1904-1918)
Rev. Alexander Francis Mitchell (1906-1912)
Rev. Joseph E. Joyce (1912-1916)
Rev. Patrick L. Dolan (1916-1924)
Rev. Michael Kearney (1918-1919)
Rev. Thomas Henry Boland (1925-1934)
Rev. James Dorgan (1918)
Rev. Edmund Cotter (1918-1925)
Rev. Peter J. Coffey (1920)
Rev. Charles Morgan Kavanaugh (1923-1931)
Rev. James M. Coughlin (1923)
Rev. William Popor (1925)
Rev. John Patrick Byrne (1932-1943)
Rev. John K. O’Connor (1934-1939)
Rev. John E. Henning (1935-1943)
Rev. Edward Joseph Duffy (1939-1943)
Rev. Leonard Myles Conlan (1943-1953)
Rev. Edward Jerome McKenna (1943-1952)
Rev. Edward John Benedict (1952-1956)
Rev. F. Bernard Miller (1953-1962)
Rev. Francis William Murphy (1956-1964)
Rev. John Grigonis (1962)
Rev. John E. Kane (1953-1965)
Rev. Frederick Callanan (1964-1966)
Rev. Giles Richard (1965-1966)
Rev. Randolph J. Picknarcik (1966-1968)
Rev. William J. Flynn (1965-1969)
Rev. Robert Burnham Lynch (1968-1973)
Rev. Edward M. Dempsey (1972)
Rev. Richard Francis Roughan (1972-1977)
Rev. S.J. Drummond (1972-1975)
Rev. Richard J. Albimonti (1977-1979)
Rev. John Grigonis (1978-1980)
Rev. Adam Pupsys (1980-1984)
Rev. Marcelius Liotta (1981-1982)
Rev. William J. McNulty (1982-1986)
Rev. Robert William Barnes (1984-1985)
Rev. Gerald S. Kirby (1986-1990)
Rev. John Ralph Kelley (1991-1993)
Sr. Ann Mack, R.S.M. (1990-2013)
Rev. George Joseph Richards, Jr., J.C.L. (2020-2021)
Rev. Brian C. Maxwell (2021)
Rev. Daniel W. Long, Jr. (2022)
Rev. Juan Angel Aguirre Palacio (2024-Present)
Rev. William H. Rogers (1871-1873)
Rev. William F. O’Brein (1873-1874)
Rev. E.E. Norbert (1874)
Rev. Patrick Duggan (1874-1876)
Rev. Joseph Synnott (1878-1883)
Rev. John H. Carroll (1882-1885)
Rev. D.M. Lawlor (1884-1885)
Rev. Michael St. Mary (1885-1890)
Rev. Andrew F. Harty (1886)
Rev. M.J. O’Donohoe (1886-1891)
Rev. Michael E. McCarten (1890-1892)
Rev. Matthew J. Traynor (1891-1892)
Rev. Patrick Joseph McGivney (1892-1901)
Rev. James A. Walsh (1891-1902)
Rev. Michael J. Lynch (1901-1902)
Rev. C. Brennen (1902)
Rev. John Joseph Elty (1902-1906)
Rev. Michael Lynch (1901-1904)
Rev. James E. Derwin (1902)
Rev. Joseph William Barry (1904-1918)
Rev. Alexander Francis Mitchell (1906-1912)
Rev. Joseph E. Joyce (1912-1916)
Rev. Patrick L. Dolan (1916-1924)
Rev. Michael Kearney (1918-1919)
Rev. Thomas Henry Boland (1925-1934)
Rev. James Dorgan (1918)
Rev. Edmund Cotter (1918-1925)
Rev. Peter J. Coffey (1920)
Rev. Charles Morgan Kavanaugh (1923-1931)
Rev. James M. Coughlin (1923)
Rev. William Popor (1925)
Rev. John Patrick Byrne (1932-1943)
Rev. John K. O’Connor (1934-1939)
Rev. John E. Henning (1935-1943)
Rev. Edward Joseph Duffy (1939-1943)
Rev. Leonard Myles Conlan (1943-1953)
Rev. Edward Jerome McKenna (1943-1952)
Rev. Edward John Benedict (1952-1956)
Rev. F. Bernard Miller (1953-1962)
Rev. Francis William Murphy (1956-1964)
Rev. John Grigonis (1962)
Rev. John E. Kane (1953-1965)
Rev. Frederick Callanan (1964-1966)
Rev. Giles Richard (1965-1966)
Rev. Randolph J. Picknarcik (1966-1968)
Rev. William J. Flynn (1965-1969)
Rev. Robert Burnham Lynch (1968-1973)
Rev. Edward M. Dempsey (1972)
Rev. Richard Francis Roughan (1972-1977)
Rev. S.J. Drummond (1972-1975)
Rev. Richard J. Albimonti (1977-1979)
Rev. John Grigonis (1978-1980)
Rev. Adam Pupsys (1980-1984)
Rev. Marcelius Liotta (1981-1982)
Rev. William J. McNulty (1982-1986)
Rev. Robert William Barnes (1984-1985)
Rev. Gerald S. Kirby (1986-1990)
Rev. John Ralph Kelley (1991-1993)
Sr. Ann Mack, R.S.M. (1990-2013)
Rev. George Joseph Richards, Jr., J.C.L. (2020-2021)
Rev. Brian C. Maxwell (2021)
Rev. Daniel W. Long, Jr. (2022)
Rev. Juan Angel Aguirre Palacio (2024-Present)
