St John Neumann Parish Yuma, Arizona

http://www.sjnyuma.com

Saint John Neumann Catholic Community (SJN) began as a Mission Chapel of St Francis of Assisi Parish in the mid 1970s. Parishioners met initially in the homes of Bob & Mel Boyer and Lawrence & Frances EIliott and then, as members increased, expanded to the Yuma East Community Center. Growth continued and the SJN parish was formally established on November 25, 1986, by Bishop Moreno, as part of the Diocese of Tucson.
In 1985, five acres of land were purchased on Mesa Drive just south of 38th Street. Plans were developed and financing obtained and the two current structures (church & rectory) were completed in March of 1987. The first Mass was celebrated on Ash Wednesday of 1987 with 600 people present. The dedication ceremonies were held January 16, 1988. After many fund raising events the $512,000.00 mortgage was paid off and the parish became debt free on January 21, 2000.