History of St. John Bosco Parish
Dedicated to the nineteenth century Italian saint whose innovative ministry assisted many orphan boys, Saint John Bosco Parish was established by Bishop Edward F. Hoban on June 1, 1963. Father Edward M. Tulley was appointed as first pastor, and served the parish for just over 19 years when he retired on January 28, 1982. The parish community initially gathered for Mass in the Auditorium of Greenbriar Junior High School. Within months of the founding of the parish plans for the construction of a church and school were initiated, with the ground breaking ceremony taking place on August 30, 1964.
In September of 1965 Saint John Bosco School opened. On December 19, 1965 the first Mass was celebrated in the church. In 1970 the construction of the administration office and rectory was completed.
On January 28, 1982 Father David D. Liberatore became the second pastor. Bishop Anthony M. Pilla dedicated the church on January 31, 1982.
In 1985 the Activities Center, Gymnasium and Bell Tower were opened. In 1995 the interior of the church was renovated with new statuary obtained from artisans in Ortesei, Italy. In 1999 the Adoration Chapel and music ministry wing were built – with Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day, beginning on January 1, 2000.
June of 2008 Saint John Bosco School closed after 42 years of service to the people of the parish. In July of 2008 the Positive Education Program (PEP), whose mission is “helping troubled and troubling children learn and grow” began leasing the school building.
On September 15, 2010, Father David D. Liberatore concluded his ministry as Pastor of Saint John Bosco Parish after 28 years of service – and having celebrated his 50th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood in May of 2010.
From September 15, 2010 to January 5, 2020, Father Lawrence Jurcak served as our third pastor. A year-long celebration of our 50th Anniversary – with the theme of this anniversary year being “Generations blending together in faith and holiness” – took place from June 2013 to June 2014. Father James Stenger, Pastor of May, Queen of the Apostles Church in Brook Park, became Administrator on January 6, 2020 until March 13, 2020.
Before Bishop Nelson Perez departed for Philadelphia he appointed Father Matthew Byrne as Administrator on March 14, 2020. On April 18, 2021 Father Matt was installed as our fourth pastor by Bishop Edward Malesic.
We look to the next fifty years with a renewed commitment to continue to grow and develop – acknowledging the changes that are happening within and around us. We must remain a vibrant parish and an instrument of Christ’s presence in our community – building on the foundation of our first fifty years of parish life and ministry.