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.  

He then appointed Monsignor David Cruz as founding pastor for 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. The parish will add a third Mass beginning September 8, celebrating Masses Saturdays at 5 p.m. and on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. 

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church dedicated its new parish building on Thursday, August 29, 2019. 

The 12,400 square-foot building will serve 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,” Monsignor Cruz said, “the parish community will continue to work to imitate the four values and attributes of John the Baptist— joy, humility, courage, and an unwavering love of Christ.” 

Over the past 5 years, the parish developed a variety of organizations and ministries: Knights of Columbus, a Women’s Organization, GriefShare 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.

“The selection of Saint John the Baptist as the patron saint of the parish will provide the new congregation a strong identity for many years to come,” said founding pastor Rev. Monsignor David Cruz.  "John’s joy for Christ in his life, even as an infant when he leapt in Elizabeth’s womb, marks a prime example for the type of joy each of us should seek in our relationship with Christ. As Pope Francis reminded us in his recent encyclical, joy makes the gospel accessible and more contagious when attracting believers.  Humility, which C.S. Lewis defined as “thinking not less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less ”, is also an attribute that John embodied in his daily life. Additionally,  courage is needed in today’s society, especially in a world that is constantly challenging our spiritual values and beliefs. As John took courage in proclaiming God’s word and practicing his ministry, the new parish looks to emulate his courage as we serve Christ in our own lives. Finally, Jesus said there is no greater love than to willingly laying down your own life for others. St. John the Baptist, who was imprisoned and martyred for doing God’s work, demonstrated his great love for God and Christ by laying down his own life,” explained Cruz.

He noted that the parish community will work to imitate the four values and attributes of John the Baptist - joy, humility, courage, and an unwavering love of Christ. Each of these attributes offers a rich, spiritual foundation.

  Most Rev. Plácido Rodríguez, CMF, Bishop of Lubbock, appointed Monsignor David R. Cruz as founding pastor of a new Catholic parish in South Lubbock, effective July 1, 2015. Bishop Rodríguez made the announcement at a gathering of advisory board members on December 19, 2014 at the Catholic Renewal Center.

Most recently, Monsignor Cruz had served as pastor of Our Lady of Grace Church in Lubbock from July 1, 2001 until June 30, 2015.

Father David Cruz was ordained to the priesthood July 12, 1986 in Lubbock, and has served the Diocese of Lubbock as associate pastor of Christ the King Cathedral, associate pastor of Sacred Heart Church, Plainview, Director of the Catholic Renewal Center and as spiritual director of the Cursillo Movement. He also served as diocesan director of evangelization and for the diocesan-wide RENEW process. Father Cruz served as pastor of Saint Theresa, Carlisle, Saint Margaret Mary and Our Lady of Guadalupe Churches in Lamesa.

Father Cruz served as Rector of Assumption Seminary in San Antonio from 1995 to 2000, pastor of Olton Saint Peter and Hale Center Saint Theresa, and Dean of the Plainview Deanery. He was named a monsignor in November 2009.

In September 2014, Bishop Rodríguez announced in a letter to priests and deacons, the beginning of an initiative to create a new Catholic parish in Lubbock for the Diocese of Lubbock. In the letter, Bishop Rodríguez asked for suggestions of a leader for the new parish to be established in South Lubbock at 108th Street and Indiana Avenue. With those suggestions and following a period of prayerful discernment, Bishop Rodríguez asked Monsignor Cruz to pastor the new South Lubbock Catholic community. As he has always done throughout his priesthood, Monsignor Cruz has answered the call of the shepherd to serve the people of the Diocese of Lubbock.