Thomas Flynn DD, the other an Academy of Dr. Geoffrey Keating and the new college was located in Manor Hill in Waterford, originally a mansion of the Wyse family.

[2] In 1977 St. John's began offering Certificates and Diplomas in Philosophy and Theology validated by the Irish Governments National Council for Education Awards (NCEA) the forerunner of HETAC and QQI.

Dr Tobias Kirby studied at St John's before going to Rome, where he went on to become rector of the Pontifical Irish College and an archbishop.

Bishop William Lee MBE of Clifton in England, was a student in St John's before continuing his training in Oscott.

Pat Buckley studied there from 1973 to 1976 and was ordained in the college on 6 June 1976, by the Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, Dr Michael Russell.

Bishop James Maher DD (1840–1905) of Port Augusta, Australia (1896–1905) studied Philosophy and Theology at St John's before being ordained in Maynooth.

J. F. X. O'Brien, the Irish nationalist and Fenian, who served as an MP for Mayo and Cork city studied divinity in St. John's.