St. John Vianney Catholic Church began as a mission. It faced a challenging start in a rural area. Catholicism struggled to grow in Calvert County.
Father Maurice B. Alexander from Our Lady Star of the Sea started the mission in the late 1920s. In 1937, the first church building was erected. It was named in honor of St. John Vianney.
Mass was first celebrated in the new church in 1938. For years, priests from Our Lady Star of the Sea served St. John Vianney. In 1965, Archbishop O’Boyle made St. John Vianney an independent parish. Father Joseph Naughton became the first pastor. At that time the parish consisted of 100 families.
The present rectory was purchased in 1966. In 1979, the Parish Center or Vianney Room was built. St. John Vianney Parish celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1990.
A new wing was added to the Parish Center in 1993. It included parish offices, classrooms, and a library. The entry foyer had a square cupola. This design reflected the waterfront areas. It symbolized the church’s role as a guiding light.
The adult religious education program called Pathways began in 1995. In 1997, a Catholic cemetery was established on the church grounds. The parish also helped start a crisis pregnancy center and a homeless shelter.
A new church building was dedicated in 2002. The Family Life Center was dedicated in 2004. The church basement was completed in 2007. By 2010, the parish was debt-free. The Vianney Room was renovated and expanded in 2011. The cemetery expanded in 2014. A new Interfaith Food Pantry was dedicated in 2019.
Many priests have served as pastors. Father Joseph Pierce served until 2024. Father John Benson is the current pastor, starting in 2024.
Today St. John Vianney Catholic Church offers multiple Mass times. These include services on Sundays and weekdays. The church also provides confession times and Eucharistic Adoration. The Rosary is recited on Saturdays. St. John Vianney continues to be a vibrant and growing community.