ST. JOHN’S HISTORY
Our current church building is situated on the site of the original church, erected in 1944 on property donated by Edward Hughes. In 1944 we were a mission of Coquille.
In 1949 we became a mission of Brookings with Father Denman as pastor. He was followed in 1952 by Father Hamilton and in 1954 by Father Kies. These priests served Brookings, Gold Beach, and Port Orford, and there are many harrowing tales associated with their travels over roads that seemed to wash away every winter during heavy rains.
In 1957, St. John’s became a mission of Holy Trinity, Bandon. Father Vandehey was the pastor. A building fund commenced in 1964 with the intention of building a larger church with room for education and parish functions. At that time Father Kennedy was our pastor. In May 1968, under our new pastor, Father Plocinski, the old church was razed. Construction on the new church was to begin immediately, but the final plans were never approved, and the parishioners were homeless. We gathered across the street at the Masonic Hall until September 1968 when we were invited to share St. Christopher Episcopal Church. We accepted their offer and remained there for nearly 15 years. Father Ghilardi was with us from 1974 until 1977.
Father Waddill was then appointed our pastor, and under his direction we began an intense fundraising drive and finally fulfilled our dream of having our own church once again. Construction of the present building began in 1982, and Father Waddi ll celebrated the first Mass on May 29, 1983. We have since added an office, a classroom, and a kitchen for parish sharing time. Other priests who have been a part of St. John’s are: Father David Jaynes (1987-1988), Father Joseph Gebhart (1988-1989), Father Karath (1989-2002), Father Heiko Junge (2002-2008), Father Andrew Thomas (2008-2010), Father Michael Patrick (2010-2012), Father Rodel de Mesa (2012-2014), Father Eric Anderson (2014-2015), Father Robert Wolf as pastor and Father George Kuforiji as parochial vicar (2015-2017), Father George Kuforiji as pastor (2017-2018), and presently Father Anthony Ahamefule.