History of Saint John Neumann Parish
Saint John Neumann Catholic Community (SJN) began as a Mission Chapel of St Francis of Assisi Parish in the
mid 1970s. Parishioners met initially in the homes of Bob & Mel Boyer and Lawrence & Frances EIliott and then,
as members increased, expanded to the Yuma East Community Center. Growth continued and the SJN parish was
formally established on November 25, 1986, by Bishop Moreno, as part of the Diocese of Tucson.
In 1985, five acres of land were purchased on Mesa Drive just
south of 38th Street. Plans were developed and financing obtained
and the two current structures (church & rectory) were completed in March of 1987. The first Mass was
celebrated on Ash Wednesday of 1987 with 600 people present. The dedication ceremonies were held
January 16, 1988. After many fund raising events the $512,000.00 mortgage was paid off and the parish
became debt free on January 21, 2000.
Future of Saint John Neumann Parish
Due to the continued increase in Mass attendance over the
years, 20 acres of land on 40th street were purchased March 30,
2001. The ground breaking for the new church was in mid 2006. God willing, and with the help
of your prayers and continued donations, we had our first Christmas celebration in the
new church, pictured below, Dec 2008.
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