Parishioners of St. John the Baptist Church in Hanover have been looking forward to the 2026 Lenten season like no other because they are excited about getting to worship in their church once again. Following a year of attending Mass in the grade school gymnasium, a remodeled St. John’s is now open to the congregation. Highlighted by a Mass with Bishop Gerald Vincke, St. John’s celebrated a rededication of the church on February 8, which happened to be Super Bowl Sunday.
“When we were trying to get a date where the bishop could join us, he had this date open,” Father David Metz said. “And then later we realized it was Super Bowl Sunday.”
“But,” he added, looking over at Bishop Vincke, “I think we nailed it!”
“There is something exciting going on later today,” Bishop Vincke said in his homily. “But I’m much more excited about this. Super Bowls happen every year. This is a once-in-a-lifetime (experience).”
“Now, you’re home, in a house of God,” the bishop continued. “It’s great to be home in this beautiful church. It marks for every one of us a renewing of our lives with Jesus, using this beautiful space.”
Hundreds flocked to the church doors around the front steps on a pleasant winter afternoon before Mass, anxiously waiting to enter the building as the bishop said words of blessing.
“We get to kneel,” Josh Bruna said with a grin, glancing over at his wife. “I never thought I’d be so excited to kneel.”
Bruna, a lifetime resident of Hanover, was referring to the year-long endurance of standing throughout Mass in the gym. Words of “wow, stunning, beautiful” were just a few heard as people glanced around the renovated space in awe. The blue dome above the altar shone brightly with captivating gold-leaf painting. New pews – fitted with the original refurbished ornate end caps from the old pews – were full to capacity, and chairs had to be set up in the rear of the church to accommodate the growing crowd. A new, 1,900-square-foot addition that connects the church to the convent building now can welcome visitors in out of the elements. There, they can look east through a wall of large windows and view the grotto that the renovation committee definitely wanted to still be visible. Therefore, the design of the gathering space features large windows on both sides, allowing a view of the grotto from the street as well. A large wooden crucifix that stands 10 feet high and 5 feet wide, which had been nearly hidden from view near one of the side altars, now adorns the gathering space for all to see.
Several priests joined the bishop at the altar for the rededication Mass, including Frs. David Metz and Joseph Kieffer and native son Fr. Jerome Morgan, who was ordained a priest in St. John’s in 1962. The renovation committee took shape under Fr. Joseph, who served as pastor at St. John’s before being transferred to Concordia in 2023. Fr. David was assigned to St. John’s at that time and completed the journey as parishioners raised money through their own campaign.
“I think the only word I have is ‘Wow!’ ” Fr. David said in his talk at the end of the dedication Mass, glancing up at the gold-leaf painting.
During the Mass, Bishop Vincke blessed the new altar with oil, then walked down the side aisles, blessing the walls gleaming with new wainscoting made with wood from the old pews and the refurbished Stations of the Cross. He thanked the various companies and individuals who worked on the project in any way. Most of all, he thanked the congregation.
“We journeyed through a long Lent together,” he said. “So we thank God today, and I thank you for your patience, your understanding, your faith and your generosity.”
A few more minor projects are planned in the near future before the project is 100 percent complete. Fr. David talked about the parish preparing for the 150th anniversary of the church in 2030, and it brought a smile to his face.
“I can truly say,” he said, “we’re ready to go.”