We look forward to sharing our faith, activities, and fellowship with you. We also look forward to getting to know you and your many gifts that will hopefully be shared with us!
If you have not done so already, we invite you to register as a member of our parish. Please give us your name, phone number and email address and a member of our Pastoral Staff will contact you to set up a time to meet with you and register you in our parish.
The early historical accounts of St. John the Evangelist Parish are somewhat sketchy; however, we can note a series of "firsts."
The first colonists to settle in Grafton, belonging to the Catholic faith were French and Irish Canadians. They began to arrive in the spring of 1881 at the time the area was first opened for settlement and platted.
The first Mass was said by Father Jean F. Malo of the Oakwood parish, on December 25, 1881, in the hall over the Chicago Store located on the west side of Hill Ave. The second Mass was said by Fr. Malo in the farm home of John Kennedy. At this time the Catholic population was about 172 souls.
On August 8, 1882, the "Walsh County Times" confirms that a small church would be constructed. The building was going to cost about $1,500.00 and was built on land donated for the purpose to aid the churches in Grafton.
First Baptism: John Joseph Descheses, born June 2, 1884, Baptised June 11, 1884
First Confirmation: A class of 13 on July 1, 1884 by Rt. Rev. Martin Marty, Vicar Apostolic of the Diocese of the Dakotas. (Seat of the Diocese was in Sioux Falls, SD).
There are some interesting facts located in the St. John the Evangelist Church 1881- 1984 Book.