New Parishioners: Welcome to the Catholic Community of St. John the Baptist, Covington, Washington. We are so grateful for your presence!
Fast Facts:
Established: 1991
Pastor: Fr. James P. Coyne.
Households: 1157
Ethnicity: 36% European, 8% Filipino/Pacific Islander, 5% Asian, 5% Hispanic, 1% African-American, 5% bi-cultural, 40% not reported.
Annual Budget: approx. $1.3 million
Parish Priorities: Gather in God’s name, grow in God’s time, and go in God’s Spirit.
Continue scrolling for a history of St. John the Baptist
Please contact Anne Frederick at the office (253) 630-0701 or e-mail at annef@sjtbcc.org
to receive more information about St. John the Baptist and for a personal welcome to find out how we might serve you!
Join our Parish-wide Zoom gatherings, Saturdays at 10 am or Sundays at 1 pm to discuss the weekend’s gospel and get to know one another! Click here to request a link.
Have you registered with the parish? Click here for a PDF to fill out (or print and fill out) and send to the parish office.
A Short History of St. John the Baptist
St. John the Baptist has had a legacy of stewardship since its establishment in 1991. Members are encouraged to share God’s gifts with others in a spirit of joy and generosity in a model established by Archbishop Hunthausen. Fr. Jack Walmsley was the founding pastor. Services were initially held at Horizon Elementary School until the 250-family parish raised the capital for the Church building dedicated in January 1996. In 2001, the rapid growth of the parish included a new education building and office space.
In 2000 the parish started a Life Teen mass and program, bringing the number of masses celebrated at the parish to four. In 2002 the parish welcomed Fr. Jim Coyne as pastor. Fr. Jim has reignited stewardship through encouraging parishioner initiatives, highlighting hospitality and having more than 700 members participating in Living Your Strengths programs.
There are over 80 ministries serving both parishioners and the wider community, including thriving St. Vincent de Paul and Knights of Columbus organizations, English and Hispanic Charismatic groups, a Filipino-American Society and the Guadalupanos, a Hispanic study group dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe. The parish retired its debt in 2017 and continues to build its capital reserve. In November of 2018 the parish launched Safe Car Parking and in 2019 started collaborating with St. Stephen the Martyr and Holy Spirit Parish to serve Terrific Tuesday Meals to the community, adding to an already full plate of ministries to the poor.
