Saint John the Evangelist
Saint John, our Church's Patron Saint
Saint John the Evangelist, also recognized as Saint John the Apostle or John the Son of Zebedee, held the distinguished position of being one of the twelve Apostles personally chosen by Jesus. Notably, his familial connection to another Apostle, James the Great, earned them the collective designation of the "Sons of Thunder." Saint John is renowned for his authorship of the eponymous Book in the New Testament, and his role as the caregiver for the Virgin Mary following Jesus' crucifixion.
Distinguished as the sole disciple of Jesus to pass away from natural causes, Saint John stands apart from his counterparts, who endured martyrdom for their unwavering faith. His Feast Day, a commemoration observed on the 27th of December, aligns with the third day of Christmastide, symbolizing a significant moment within the liturgical calendar.
Iconographically, Saint John is commonly depicted alongside an eagle, a symbol interpreted by Christian theologians as an encouragement for believers to confront eternity with steadfast resolve on their journey towards attaining union with God. This visual representation underscores a theological perspective on the unwavering commitment and vision required as Christians progress toward their ultimate spiritual goal.
Distinguished as the sole disciple of Jesus to pass away from natural causes, Saint John stands apart from his counterparts, who endured martyrdom for their unwavering faith. His Feast Day, a commemoration observed on the 27th of December, aligns with the third day of Christmastide, symbolizing a significant moment within the liturgical calendar.
Iconographically, Saint John is commonly depicted alongside an eagle, a symbol interpreted by Christian theologians as an encouragement for believers to confront eternity with steadfast resolve on their journey towards attaining union with God. This visual representation underscores a theological perspective on the unwavering commitment and vision required as Christians progress toward their ultimate spiritual goal.
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)
