The next day [John the Baptist] saw Jesus   coming toward him and said, “Behold, the   Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the   world. He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man   is coming after me who ranks ahead of me   because he existed before me. I did not   know him but the reason why I came     baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel.” John testified further saying, "I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him. I did not know him but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the holy Spirit.' Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.” John 1:29-34

     St. John the Baptist Catholic Church was established in August 2015—the newest Catholic church in the Diocese of Lubbock. Bishop Emeritus Plácido Rodríguez, the previous Bishop of Lubbock, saw the expansive growth in south Lubbock and commissioned a church to be built to serve that growing community.  

      The Bishop appointed Monsignor David Cruz as the founding pastor of the burgeoning church.  For four years, the parish was nestled in the center of the Sun Ridge Shopping Center located at Indiana Avenue and 98th Street in Lubbock.   The Catholic parish began with 100 people attending one Sunday Mass, and attendance has grown to over 400 people each weekend. 

     St. John the Baptist Catholic Church dedicated its new multi-purpose building on Thursday, August 29, 2019.  The 12,400 square-foot building serves the church with a new worship area, office space, meeting space, and hospitality area. A seven-foot-tall statue of the “Welcoming Jesus” stands—and welcomes visitors and parishioners—on the west side of the building and can be seen from Indiana Avenue.  The new building provides space for worship of up to 450 person capacity.
      The master plan for the 12-acre property calls for the eventual construction of a church sanctuary at which time the new building will be repurposed for use as a parish hall.

      Like the patron Saint of the church our parish community continues to work to imitate the four values and attributes of John the Baptist— joy, humility, courage, and an unwavering love of Christ. 

      Over the years, the parish developed a variety of organizations and ministries: Knights of Columbus, a Women’s Organization, a Men's Spirituality Group, a Grief Support for those suffering a loss, bible studies for adults, and a program for children and youth that meets every Wednesday night ministering to more than100 young people from Pre-K to High School.

         On July 1st 2023, Fr. John Rathinam became the second pastor in the history of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Originally from India, Fr. John came to the United States in 2016. He has successfully pastored two communities, St. Pius X Church in O’Donnell and St. Jude Church in Tahoka. His parishioners, who have grown to love him, will miss him.
      Fr. John was ordained a priest on May 2nd, 1997, and is a member of the Indian Missionary Society, a community of priests serving in various countries worldwide. Initially, Fr. John thought he might be sent to England, but God had other plans in mind. Instead, he was sent to Texas!
     In addition to his pastoral experience, Fr. John also taught courses in theology in the seminary in India for 12 years. Since coming to the Diocese, he has served as Dean of the Brownfield Deanery and as a member of the Diocesan Presbyteral Council.  Please welcome our new pastor with open arms and pray that the Lord will continue to grant him good health, happiness, and peace!