Since all of the churches were Protestant, Robert Laverty, a private citizen, petitioned Bishop Benedict Fenwick of Boston to assign a priest to celebrate mass in Worcester.

In result, Father James Fitton, a Boston native, visited Worcester monthly starting in 1834.

The current building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was constructed at number 44 Temple Street in 1845 and dedicated in honor of St. John in 1846.

Besides that building, Father Fitton established Mount Saint James Seminary, which became the College of the Holy Cross in 1839.

On Labor Day weekend in 2004, the interior ceiling collapsed into the sanctuary, destroying the altar and baptistry.

The renovations were complete in September 2005 and the Mass of Rededication was celebrated on October 15, 2005, by Bishop Robert J. McManus.

To the direct left, a devotional shrine is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and often other statues, such as of St. Francis Xavier and St. Theresa, may be displayed.

Confraternity of Christian Doctrine classes are taught in a format to "practice" for the "real church".

Media related to St. John's Catholic Church (Worcester, Massachusetts) at Wikimedia Commons