1961

Msgr. James Nash appointed to St. John’s

In 1961 Pastor McGrath, now a monsignor, was transferred to St. Philip Neri parish in the Bronx. Msgr. James Nash replaced him as Pastor. Monsignor Nash died March 10, 1964 at age 58.

March 1964

Msgr. Stanislaus McGovern arrived at St. John’s

During Msgr. McGovern’s administration the facade of the church and interior of the rectory were extensively refurbished, and air conditioning was installed. The parish received official boundaries: its fifteen square blocks extend roughly between Lexington Avenue and the East River from 70th to 74th Streets. As a result of a new ruling from Rome mandating retirement for priests and bishops at age 75, Msgr. McGovern retired as pastor in 1969.

December 1969

Msgr. Daniel Donovan named Pastor

Soon after Msgr. Donovan’s arrival, work began on the church and rectory, thanks to the generosity of parishioners. The church was updated to fully implement the liturgical changes of Vatican II. The altar was moved from the rear wall of the sanctuary to the main floor so mass could be offered facing the congregation. The Fr. Tom Murphy Golden Age Group and the Legion of Mary were formed, and Irish Night became an annual celebration. On July 1, 1984 Msgr. Donovan retired; he died two years later. The Donovan Center, our church hall, was named in his honor.

1984

Fr. Walter Niebrzydowski appointed to St. John’s

Fr. Walter enlarged the parish ministry to include Marymount College and the St. Mary Residence across 72nd Street. The Donovan Center was remodeled to handle increased activities that included an actors’ workshop, the Lenox Hill Artists Forum and Worktalk, a program for job seekers. The Center was also used for concerts, lectures and art exhibitions. After 12 years at St. John’s during which time he became a monsignor, Pastor Walter was transferred to the Epiphany Parish on 2nd Avenue at 22nd Street.

July 1996

Msgr. John Woolsey appointed Pastor

Msgr. Woolsey had been a parish priest, a teacher and head of the Archdiocese’s Family Life/Pro Life Office before being appointed to St. John the Martyr in 1996. In 2004, due to fiscal irregularities, he was removed from the parish by the Archdiocese. Fr. Joseph Baker, who had been Parochial Vicar, was appointed administrator.

2007

Order of Carmelites appointed to run the parish

Fr. Sean Harlow, O.Carm., was named Pastor and Fr. Sunny John, O.Carm., was named Parochial Vicar of St. John’s.  Parish committees and ministries were created and began work.

2008

Celebration of the 105th Anniversary as a parish

In April parishioners got to see Pope Benedict at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers or at the celebration of Mass at Yankee Stadium. The 105th Anniversary as a parish was celebrated on November 16. Under the theme, Refounding Our Parish, we held a special Anniversary Mass that called forth a procession of items which were a great tribute to our past and an inspiration for the future.  A brunch in the church hall followed the Mass.  In December the first night of Pizza, Soda and A Movie began.  After a light dinner and the showing of a film, a discussion exploring the dimensions of moral struggle in the film was led by Fr. Michael Tueth, S.J., Associate Professor of the Communication & Media Studies Department at Fordham University.

2009

Carmelite Order continues to lead the parish
Fr. Sean Harlow, Pastor and Fr. Sunny John, Parochial Vicar were joined by three other Carmelite friars in residence: Fr. Paul Feeley, Fr. Raymond Maher and Fr. Sunny Mathew. Four days of special Masses, lectures, benedictions and presentations were held in July to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.  Her statue became a permanent addition to the church, and the Carmelite tradition of reciting aloud the prayer, Salve Regina, at the end of the Mass was inaugurated.

2010

Despite construction of the 2nd Avenue subway, St. John the Martyr continues to thrive

Underground blasting, intrusive barricades and street trenches were a daily reminder that the Second Avenue subway is in the works, but parishioners for the most part ignored the distractions. The parish re-asserted itself as a center of community life for the faithful with lectures, presentations, booklets, films, feast day celebrations and fundraising, culminating in the repainting of the church.