150th Celebration at St. John the Evangelist in Flinton

Aug 23, 2023

Parishioners from the past and present gathered at St. John the Evangelist Church in Flinton last Sunday (August 20) for a mass and celebration marking the 150th anniversary of the church.

Archbishop Michael Mulhall and Father Paul Mjoka (present priest) along with Father Joseph Machaj (previous priest from 2004-15) were all together at the altar for the mass.

Following the mass a group photo was taken in the church to reenact a photo from 1902 that hangs in the church, and then a group picture was taken outside the church in the brilliant Sunday sunshine. A plaque to the newly planted spruce tree was unveiled, just as a new church sign was presented to the church community.

The crowd then made their way to the Flinton Hall where photos and albums from the church history were on display, and lunch was served for all to enjoy.

Premier Doug Ford, MPP Ric Bresee and MP Shelby Kramp-Newman all sent certificates of congratulations, and local artist Mary O’Donnell painted a picture of the church that was used for the cover of the booklet for the event.

After celebrating this milestone, parishioners are planning their first ever tree lighting ceremony at the beginning of December.

“Maybe as the tree grows, so will our parish,” said Maude Fomosa-Topping, the public relations coordinator for the event and the parish.