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                        History of St. John Vianney Parish

The Parishioners of St. John Vianney Parish in Flushing, New York had celebrated the 45th Anniversary of

their Parish on the August 4th, 2012.  The Parish was named in honor of St. John Vianney, the Patron

Saint of Parishes and Parish Priests.  St. John Vianney was the Pastor of a Parish in Ars, France.

On June 6, 1967, Archbishop Bryan J. McEntegart, the Bishop of Brooklyn, established the Parish of St.

John Vianney.  It was carved out of sections of the larger neighboring parishes of St. Michael, St. Mel

and St. Andrew Avellino.  The Brooklyn Diocese purchased the property on Union Street between 34th

and 35th Avenues at a cost of $497,200.00 in order to construct the Church and other Parish buildings. 

There were two two-family houses on the property.  One was demolished and the other became the

residence for the priests serving the Parish.

Father James McCabe was installed as the first Pastor on June 23, 1967 by Rev. Msgr. Francis B. Donnelly,

Pastor of St. Mary’s in Flushing and Dean of the area.  Father Michael J. Mellett was the first Associate

Pastor.  A certificate of incorporation was filed with the city and William J. Lavelle, Jr. and Robert Fahrer

were appointed the first trustees.  During the six years that it took to raise money, plan and construct

the Church and Parish Center, Sunday Mass was celebrated at the Flushing Singers Hall, an old German

social hall.  The priests’ residence was used for celebrating daily Mass and baptisms and hearing

confessions.  Susan Lavelle, the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. William J. Lavelle, Jr., was the first child baptized

in the new parish by Father Mellett on September 3, 1967 in the Rectory Chapel.  Religious education

classes were taught at neighboring St. Michael’s School.

After six years of sacrifice and hard work on the part of the founding parishioners, the people of St. John

Vianney Parish would have a Church.  Ground was broken for the new building in 1972 and it was just about completed in time for the first wedding – that of John Plover and Mary Heslin on October 6, 1973.  The first Masses were celebrated on the Feast of All Saints, November 1, 1973.  The Church and Parish Hall were dedicated on Saturday, December 1, 1973 by Bishop Francis J. Mugavero, Bishop of Brooklyn.  The first

child to be baptized in the new Chapel was Andre Christopher Grant, the son of Mr. & Mrs. Noel J. Grant.

In May 1974, Sister Mary Ann Loreto of the Sisters of the Catholic Apostolate (the Pallotini Sisters) arrived

and became the first Religious Education Coordinator.  In addition to training catechists, preparing children

for First Penance, First Communion and Confirmation, she conducted several courses for adult religious education.  She took an active interest in the religious committee of the Flushing Parishes called the

Flushing Module (the Flushing Pastoral Council).  Father Mellett returned to Ireland in the Spring of 1976

and was succeeded by Father Howard J. Tilley.

On Sunday, June 5, 1977 St. John Vianney Parish celebrated its 10th Anniversary with a Mass of

Thanksgiving and a Dinner-Dance later that day at the Cresthaven Country Club in Whitestone.  The Mass

and Dinner-Dance also honored Father McCabe on the occasion of the 40th Anniversary of his Ordination

to the Priesthood.  He died six years later on August 13, 1983.

Father George Nicholson was Pastor as St. John Vianney Parish celebrated its 25th Anniversary.  On the

Feast of All Saints (November 1, 1992), Bishop Thomas V. Daily celebrated a bi-lingual anniversary Mass

before an overflow crowd of more than 700 people.  Following the Mass, Bishop Daily blessed a new statue

of the Sacred Heart which was erected in front of the priests’ residence to mark the Parish’s 25th

Anniversary.  A reception with finger sandwiches, cookies, champagne and juice was then held in the

Parish Center.

Father Nicholson died on July 31, 1997 and was succeeded by Father Carlos Valencia.  Father Valencia

became ill and Father Brian Dowd was named Administrator of the Parish in March 2000 and Pastor in

September 2000.

Under Father Dowd’s able leadership St. John Vianney Parish continues to be a vibrant parish that is a

microcosm of the Diocese of Brooklyn.  Flea markets, Christmas Fairs and International Dinners have brought

the parishioners closer together and have also raised money to provide services for the parishioners and

to make much needed repairs for the parish buildings and grounds.  Recent and welcome additions to our

Parish are the three stained glass windows in the Church vestibule.  These windows were originally part

of Our Lady of the Skies Chapel at John F. Kennedy Airport.  Bishop Thomas V. Daily blessed them during

our 35th Anniversary Mass on June 5, 2002.

On January 29, 2006 a wonderful celebration took place to welcome in the Chinese New Year and the

addition of the Chinese community of Our Lady of China Chapel to St. John Vianney Church.  The chapel

and center were filled to capacity as a con-celebrated tri-lingual Mass in Mandarin, Cantonese and English

was celebrated by the Very Rev. Sean Ogle, the Episcopal Vicar. It was followed by a festive musical presentation of Chinese music and dance and a buffet of traditional Chinese foods provided by our new

members.  The Chinese congregation has become a vital and active welcome addition to the parish under

the guidance of Fr. Antonius Ho, who was assigned by the Bishop as associate pastor. The Chinese

community is also served by Fr. Su, Fr. Edward and Fr. Victor, all members of the Congregation of St.

John the Baptist.

On June 30th, 2009 Father Dowd left our parish to shepherd the flock at Queen of Angels in Sunnyside. 

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio has entrusted St. John Vianney Church to the Little Brothers of St. John the

Baptist for the pastoral care and the evangelization.  The priests of the Congregation, Father Antonius Ho

has become the Temporary Administrator and Father Victor Cao the Parochial Vicar.  Together with the

Little Sisters of St. Theresa, Sr. Monica Gan and the entire parish community, the Little Brothers are

working hard to bring St. John Vianney Parish into a new decade with plans for a bright future for years

to come.