Little History of our Parish
With the extension of the railroad into Noroton, as Darien was first named in the middle of the 19th century, many Catholics from surrounding towns moved here. These families worshipped in a small chapel in the home of Hugh Collender. When the number of Catholics outgrew that room, which was called the Chapel, Mass was held in the Fitch Soldier’s Home that was also located in Darien. It was the very first Soldier’s home in the country and residents included a preponderance of Civil War veterans.
By 1888, Darien Catholics wanted to establish their own church, a mission church to be serviced by a priest from Saint John’s Parish in Stamford. The Rev. William Rogers of nearby Stamford agreed. Hugh Collender and a wealthy businessman from New York, John D. Crimmins, a summer resident of Darien, combined their efforts and donated $5,500 to purchase four acres with a house for the site of our firstchurch. In just 17 months from groundbreaking, on the 29th of August 1888 to dedication on December 8, 1889, the Connecticut Bluestone building was built. Originally called Noroton Catholic Church, the Church was a mission Church with just Sunday services. In 1895, Saint John’s was established as a parish.
Fast forward to our third pastor who was the right man at the right time. Father James J. McGuane was named Pastor in 1910 and held that position for the next 42 years. Father McGuane conceived of Saint John’s as the vibrant center of Catholic life in Darien. He fielded a football team and a softball team as well as an award-winning fife and drum corps. Truth be told, these were as much community teams as they were parish teams.
Father McGuane began several parish ministries and the parish grew. A well-known and much loved figure around town, he was asked to serve on the Selective Service Board during World War II, and on the Housing Authority Board once troops began coming home, marrying and wanting to live here in Darien. After Father McGuane’s retirement in 1952, the parish saw various pastors but s t i l l remained a vital part of what made Darien an enviable community in which to live.
In 1971-1972, the Blanchard Center, a large Parish Educational Center, was built on the acreage behind our church. This space included a gym and a stage for concerts and plays. In the 1990s, it was home to Saint John’s Community Theatre founded by another of our Pastors. An important section added to this building in 1987 was space for a preschool. Again responding to community needs, Saint John’s Preschool was founded in 1989. Like our Church, our Preschool grew. It began with seven three-year-olds in its first weeks and is now, and has been, at maximum capacity of over 40 children year after year. Saint John Preschool delivers a nurturing, play-based learning curriculum for ages two through five. Comprehensive in approach, the curriculum encompasses themes of religion, science, social studies, literacy, music, arts and community. Because of the school’s proximity to the Church, the children get to know our priests and church staff and see religion as much a part of their lives as school.
By 1888, Darien Catholics wanted to establish their own church, a mission church to be serviced by a priest from Saint John’s Parish in Stamford. The Rev. William Rogers of nearby Stamford agreed. Hugh Collender and a wealthy businessman from New York, John D. Crimmins, a summer resident of Darien, combined their efforts and donated $5,500 to purchase four acres with a house for the site of our firstchurch. In just 17 months from groundbreaking, on the 29th of August 1888 to dedication on December 8, 1889, the Connecticut Bluestone building was built. Originally called Noroton Catholic Church, the Church was a mission Church with just Sunday services. In 1895, Saint John’s was established as a parish.
Fast forward to our third pastor who was the right man at the right time. Father James J. McGuane was named Pastor in 1910 and held that position for the next 42 years. Father McGuane conceived of Saint John’s as the vibrant center of Catholic life in Darien. He fielded a football team and a softball team as well as an award-winning fife and drum corps. Truth be told, these were as much community teams as they were parish teams.
Father McGuane began several parish ministries and the parish grew. A well-known and much loved figure around town, he was asked to serve on the Selective Service Board during World War II, and on the Housing Authority Board once troops began coming home, marrying and wanting to live here in Darien. After Father McGuane’s retirement in 1952, the parish saw various pastors but s t i l l remained a vital part of what made Darien an enviable community in which to live.
In 1971-1972, the Blanchard Center, a large Parish Educational Center, was built on the acreage behind our church. This space included a gym and a stage for concerts and plays. In the 1990s, it was home to Saint John’s Community Theatre founded by another of our Pastors. An important section added to this building in 1987 was space for a preschool. Again responding to community needs, Saint John’s Preschool was founded in 1989. Like our Church, our Preschool grew. It began with seven three-year-olds in its first weeks and is now, and has been, at maximum capacity of over 40 children year after year. Saint John Preschool delivers a nurturing, play-based learning curriculum for ages two through five. Comprehensive in approach, the curriculum encompasses themes of religion, science, social studies, literacy, music, arts and community. Because of the school’s proximity to the Church, the children get to know our priests and church staff and see religion as much a part of their lives as school.
