In 1971, the Archdiocese of St. Louis purchased land at the northwest corner of Marine Avenue and Amiot Drive for future diocesan needs. These needs were realized when Fr. Joseph Flynn, pastor of St. Blaise, suggested to Cardinal John Carberry, Archbishop of St. Louis, that a new parish was needed in this growing area of northwest St. Louis County.
In mid-1972, the Archdiocese announced that a new parish would be formed to serve parts of Maryland Heights and unincorporated St. Louis County. This area was being served by St. Monica, Incarnate Word, St. Blaise and St. Richard parishes.
Cardinal John Carberry asked Rev. Donald J. Hoffman to be the founding pastor of the new parish. Fr. Hoffman, teaching in the Archdiocesan school system at the time, accepted the Archbishop's request and challenge to start the parish. Fr. Hoffman had the unique opportunity to choose the parish name. He chose to name the parish in the memory of the patron saint of youth, St. John Bosco. He speculated that this new parish would have a large population of young single persons and young families and he envisioned a parish with a warm community atmosphere that emphasized parishioner involvement.
On September 5 and 6, in 1972, 180 families registered in St. John Bosco parish. On September 9, 1972, Fr. Hoffman celebrated the first Mass for the parish. This Mass and all Masses for the next 22 months were celebrated at McKelvey School in Maryland Heights.
During the early years, Fr. Louis Fortenberry, C.M., assisted with Sunday Masses. This began the practice of Vincentian priests assisting with Sunday Masses. Other Vincentians who have assisted at St. John Bosco include Fathers Larry Koncewicz, Jim Cormack, John Clark and Martin Culligan.
In the early days of the parish, Fr. Hoffman lived at the Incarnate Word rectory. In 1973, St. John Bosco purchased a home at 2238 Seven Pines Drive to serve as the rectory and parish of office. During the first year of the parish, plans were being formulated for a new church building at the 12934 Marine Avenue location, only a block east of the current rectory.
On June 10, 1973 ground was broken for the new church building. Ray Maritz was the architect of the new church; design assistance was also provided by the Archdiocese and Fr. Hoffman.
McCarthy & Associates headed a drive to raise funds for the building and this, along with funds borrowed from the Archdiocese, provided the necessary capital to get the project started and completed.
The first Mass in the new church was celebrated by Fr. Hoffman on July 21, 1974. Bishop George Gottwald blessed the church cornerstone on September 8 and on December 1, Cardinal Carberry dedicated the church. This occasion was celebrated with a Mass followed by a dinner for parishioners in the church hall.
At the time the new church was completed, the parish had 499 registered families. Many people were involved in parish life as reflected by the number of organizations that were formed in the early years. These included the Building Fund Committee, Men's Club, Ladies Club, Pro-Life Committee, Athletic Association, Quilters Club, Choir, Lectors, Sacristans, Altar Boys, Ushers, Money Counters, Banner Committee and the Parish School of Religion.
Many firsts were accomplished during the early years of the parish. The initial First Communion and Confirmation classes received these respective sacraments; the annual Archdiocesan Development Appeal program was initiated; the first parish picnic was held at Greensfelder Park; the choir was organized under the direction of organist, Mike Dalton; a Parish Directory was developed and the first May Crowning of the Parish School of Religion students was held in the new church.
In 1977 the parish received its first resident deacon from Kenrick Seminary, Gary Faust. Gary was ordained to the priesthood in May, 1978 and celebrated his first Mass at St. John Bosco. Other transitional deacons included Mike Ahrens, Jack Ghio and Ron Hopmeir.
By 1978 the Parish School of Religion had grown to the point that a full time professional was needed to direct the more than 300 students enrolled in the program. Sister Christine Massman, C.S.J., joined St. John Bosco's staff in August 1978 as the Coordinator of PSR. Sr. Christine held that position until August 1991 when Sr. Loretto Rose Bira, O.P., took over as Director of Religious Education.
One of St. John Bosco's most popular annual events, the Parish Carnival, was first held in 1979. The carnival is the parish's major fund raising activity and has been a great source of fellowship and parish unity since so many organizations and parishioners are involved.
Also in 1979, the parish celebrated the 25th Anniversary of Fr. Hoffman's ordination to the priesthood. And the Salesians, a group for young single persons, was formed in late 1979.
By the early 1980's the parish had grown to nearly 700 families. In addition, St. John Bosco became popular for weddings. In 1982 there were 46 weddings at the church - an average of about one wedding per week.
In June of 1982, Chuck Barthel, son of the parish secretary at the time, Lorraine Barthel. was ordained to the priesthood. He celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving at St. John Bosco on June 20. Later that year, parishioners celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the church and welcomed Fr. Mike Ahrens as the first full-time associate pastor at St. John Bosco.
In 1983, the Young Couples Club was formed to provide social and spiritual benefits to the young married couples of the parish. The Archdiocesan spiritual program "Renew" was a program whereby small groups of people met in the homes of parishioners for a time of prayer and spiritual and biblical discussions.
Under the direction of Fr. Mike Ahrens, a large number of parish high school students participated in the social and service activities of the youth group. Also in 1983, Mike Dalton, the parish organist since 1974, was ordained a permanent deacon and was assigned to St. Monica Parish. Mary Novak served as Choir Director, with Joyce (Norris) Keightley as organist.
In addition, a Legion of Mary group was formed and one of their first activities was a pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal in Perryville, Missouri. And the mid- 1970s saw a greater number of lay members of the parish taking a more active role in Sunday liturgies by serving as Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors and Hospitality Ministers.
A program to educate adults in the Roman Catholic religion and prepare them to convert to Catholicism was initiated at St. John Bosco in 1984. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults program, RCIA, has become a popular program in the community.
In the fall of 1984, plans for a parish multi-purpose building were solidified as the Parish Life appeal received pledges totaling $379,076 toward the cost of the building. As the parish embarked on this new financial endeavor, the mortgage on the church building was nearly complete. By June 1985, the church mortgage was paid off.
Between 1985 and 1988 many changes in priest and rectory personnel were made at St. John Bosco. In January 1985, Fr. Ahrens was transferred to Ste. Genevieve Parish in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri and Fr. Joseph Weber was assigned to take his place as associate pastor. In June, Fr. Weber was transferred to St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Florissant. Fr. David Thomas was then assigned to St. John Bosco as part-time associate pastor, while continuing his work as campus minister and teacher at Maryville University. Sheila Moglia became the Choir Director in 1985.
In 1986, Eleanor Turner replaced Lorraine Barthel as the parish secretary. Lorraine served the parish since 1972.
In June 1987, Fr. Hoffman was reassigned as chaplain at the Ursuline convent after serving 15 years as pastor of St. John Bosco. A farewell party was held in July and later that month, Fr. Ken Zimmermann was assigned as the new pastor. Fr. Zimmermann had served as pastor of Most Holy Rosary parish in north St. Louis.
In May 1988, Fr. Zimmermann announced that he was taking a sabbatical from active priestly ministry. Fr. Patrick O'Laughlin was assigned as the new pastor of the parish having served the previous eight years as associate pastor of the St. Louis Cathedral. His initial priorities were to complete plans for the new multi-purpose building and to establish a Parish Council.
In October 1988, ground was broken for the multi-purpose building on the lot in front of the church on Marine Avenue. The original site of the building on Amiot Drive became an athletic field. Simultaneously, a private home on the northwest corner of Marine and Amiot Drive became available for purchase and Fr. O'Laughlin, after consulting with Archbishop May and members of the finance committee, decided that the purchase of the property would be in the best interest of the parish. The parish purchased the property and destined it to be the site of a new rectory.
In November 1988 a Parish Council was elected and held its first meeting on December 18. In addition, the St. Vincent DePaul Society, an organization designed to help the poor of the community, was formed in late 1988.
In January 1989, Edward Stanger, a student at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, was assigned to St. John Bosco for his Acolyte internship. Ed made a significant contribution to the parish during his eight months at St. John Bosco including reorganizing the high school youth group.
Another highlight in parish history was the ordaining of Chuck Georges to the order of Deacon. His ordination on February 11, 1989 culminated a long and intense process of spiritual and ministerial training for Chuck and his family. In celebration, a Mass of Thanksgiving was held on February 12 with a reception following in the church hall. As a permanent Deacon, Chuck plays an important role in the parish and has made many contributions including sharing his preaching talents at Sunday liturgies.
Two new parish organizations were formed in 1989. In May the 50+ Club organized its first activity, Mass followed by breakfast. In July the Divorced and Widowed group held its first meeting.
In April, construction began on the new rectory. After completion in September, Fathers O'Laughlin and Thomas made the move from Seven Pines Drive to their new home. At the same time, Sisters Olegaria Romero and Maria de LaCruz Perez, of the Community of the Eucharistic Missionary Sisters of St. Theresa, arrived to live and work in the rectory.
By November 1989, construction of the new multi-purpose building was completed. Fr. O' Laughlin requested suggestions for the name of the new building; many were received and the name chosen by the parishioners was The St. John Bosco Parish Center.
On December 9, after celebrating Mass, Archbishop May dedicated the new parish center during a buffet dinner held at the center. An Open House for parishioners to visit the rectory and parish center was held on December 10.
In May of 1990, Deacon Ron Hopmeir was assigned to the parish. His "down-to- earth" messages and "green thumb" added beauty to the rectory and church. Finally, in November 1991, the parish welcomed Monsignor Rowland Gannon who had served as Cathedral Parish Pastor for 25 years. Fortunately, his very active "retirement" has blessed us all.
In August of 1993, the Parish welcomed Sister Noemi Martinez and Sister Trini Fuerte of the Eucharistic Missionary Sisters of St. Theresa to live and work in the rectory. Sister Maria de LaCruz Perez and Sister Olegaria Romero now live and work in Houston
A successful Mother's Day Out program has drawn many young parents and children closer together. The program has doubled in size and staff since its inception in September 1990.
St. John Bosco's many organizations continue to grow as we approach the end of 1992. Diocesan leadership expects new challenges for the faithful in filling in as attrition continues to dwindle the pool of available clergy. St. John Bosco is capable of rising to this challenge and parish life will continue to be responsive to the needs of all in the years to come.