Since its humble beginnings in 1969, St. John Vianney Parish in Mentor, Ohio, has grown into a vibrant and thriving Catholic community. Founded by Father Robert Kline, the parish initially held its first Mass on December 8, 1969, at Lake Elementary School. Expecting 200 attendees, the fledgling parish was overwhelmed as 400 people arrived, signaling the burgeoning faith community in Mentor and Willoughby. As Father Tom Johns, the current pastor, notes, “And we’ve been growing ever since.” Today, St. John Vianney Parish proudly serves approximately 4,000 families, encompassing about 10,000 individuals, and has celebrated over 8,690 baptisms in its half-century of service. The parish’s establishment catered to the expanding suburbs of Willoughby and Mentor, sharing diocesan land with Lake Catholic High School, which opened its doors in 1970, fostering a lasting and close-knit relationship between the two institutions.
Father Robert Kline celebrating the first Mass at Lake Elementary School for St. John Vianney Parish anniversary
The year of St. John Vianney Parish’s inception, 1969, was a year of significant global and national events. It marked the maiden voyage of the Boeing 747 jumbo jet, the passing of former President Dwight Eisenhower, the first temporary artificial heart implantation, and humanity’s initial successful lunar landings. Amidst these milestones, the Cuyahoga River fire and the escalating Vietnam War, alongside Richard Nixon’s presidency and the first draft lottery since World War II, underscored the complex social and political landscape of the era. Parallel to the growth of Mentor and its surrounding areas, St. John Vianney Parish experienced continuous expansion. Reflecting its commitment to vocations, the parish has witnessed four of its members ordained to the priesthood, most recently Father Matt Cortnik in 2018. A dedicated display in the church hallway honors these priestly vocations and religious sisters from St. John Vianney, showcasing the parish’s rich spiritual heritage.
Interior view of St. John Vianney Parish church during 50th anniversary mass
The 50th anniversary celebrations commenced on December 8, 2018, with a special Mass led by Bishop Emeritus Martin Amos of Davenport, Iowa. Bishop Amos, a Cleveland Diocese native, previously served at the parish as a weekend associate. Father Johns mentioned that the subsequent year was filled with numerous celebratory events orchestrated by the dedicated anniversary committee. The year-long commemoration culminated on December 22 with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Nelson Perez in a packed St. John Vianney Church. Family members of the late Father Kline, the beloved founding pastor who served for 28 years and passed away in 2011, were present among the congregation. Father Kline had also served as a mentor to Father Johns, encouraging him to succeed him as pastor.
Bishop Nelson Perez celebrating 50th anniversary Mass at St. John Vianney Parish in Mentor Ohio
Concelebrating the anniversary Mass were Father Johns, parochial vicars Father Peter Morris and Father Martin Dober, Father Cortnik, priests from neighboring parishes, and other clergy connected to St. John Vianney, including former parochial vicars. Bishop Emeritus Anthony Pilla, who dedicated the current church building in 2002, also graced the occasion with his presence. Bishop Perez humorously greeted the congregation, remarking, “Congratulations on 50 years. You look great,” and noted he was only eight years old when the parish was established. He reminded the assembly that “church” had been active in the Mentor area long before the physical church structure existed. Emphasizing the transient nature of people and buildings, he cited the numerous popes and churches in Rome, stating, “But we’ve done one thing faithfully for the past 2,000-plus years: celebrate the Eucharist.”
Bishop Perez delivering homily during St. John Vianney Parish 50th anniversary celebration
Reflecting on the parish anniversary theme, “Celebrating God’s triumphs and graces,” Bishop Perez urged the community to fully embrace it. “You exist to be an evangelizing community that reaches out. A church is a place from which we go. You go and proclaim to all the nations like Jesus instructed the apostles,” Bishop Perez proclaimed, reinforcing the parish’s outward-facing mission. He highlighted that the original apostles were unlikely candidates, yet Jesus chose them, leading to the establishment of the Church in places like Mentor, Ohio. He emphasized Pope Francis’s integration of missionary and disciple concepts, which has reshaped the Church’s trajectory. Addressing the concerning statistic that a significant percentage of Catholics do not attend Sunday Mass, Bishop Perez challenged the congregation: “It’s your job to help get them here. This is not a club of members; it’s a community of mission.”
Father Tom Johns thanking Bishop Pilla at St. John Vianney 50th anniversary Mass in Mentor
Father Johns expressed his gratitude to Bishop Pilla for his participation and acknowledged his role in appointing him as the second pastor in 1998 and dedicating the present church in 2002. He noted that the current church accommodates approximately 1,000 people. Following the construction of the new church, the original building was renovated to house meeting rooms, offices, and a chapel for daily Mass. After the anniversary Mass, both Bishop Perez and Bishop Pilla, along with numerous concelebrants, greeted parishioners in the gathering area. A reception was held in the parish hall, aptly named in honor of Father Kline, commemorating his enduring legacy as the founding pastor of St. John Vianney Mentor Ohio.
Bishop Perez and Bishop Pilla greeting parishioners after 50th anniversary Mass at St. John Vianney
Clergy concelebrating the 50th anniversary Mass at St. John Vianney Parish Mentor Ohio
Parishioners receiving communion during 50th anniversary Mass at St. John Vianney Church
Bishop Perez interacting with a young parishioner at St. John Vianney 50th anniversary reception
