Altar at St John Neumann
(edited for perspective)
Photograph by Jason Haskins,
Locus Iste1
The office building across the street at 102 Westlake Drive was purchased in 1995 to meet the growing needs of the parish.
In addition, St. John Neumann purchased three home sites adjacent to the parish grounds, with long-range hopes for more
parking spaces and a larger church in the same location. Regrettably, zoning restrictions and neighborhood concerns stifled
any expansion efforts.
Mosaic at St John Neumann
Photograph by Jason John Paul Haskins, Locus Iste2
Over the years, diocesan priests have nurtured this growing community. Father Vaughn Meiler served as St. John Neumann’s
first pastor from 1984 to 1992. Father Patrick Zurek served the parish from 1992 until his ordination as Auxiliary Bishop
in the Archdiocese of San Antonio in February 1998.
Tabernacle at St John Neumann
Photograph by Jason John Paul Haskins, Locus Iste3
Father Kirby Garner joined the parish in July 2006 and led the parish capital campaign to build a new church. Under his
leadership, the parishioners of St. John Neumann pledged $12 million for this effort.
Tabernacle Lamp at St John Neumann
Photograph by Jason John Paul Haskins, Locus Iste4
From a relatively small beginning of several hundred families, St. John Neumann has grown to over 2,000 families,
with a faith formation program that supports Christian development for over 1,000 children and adults. A full compliment
of vital ministries, too numerous to identify in this brief history, has been established. These enable the parish to not
only serve her members but also thousands of our brothers and sisters throughout the Austin community and far beyond.
Sacred Oils at St John Neumann (detail)
Photograph by Jason John Paul Haskins, Locus Iste5
Architectural Summary
Architects:
Designers:
Date:
STG design
Rohn & Associates Design
2012
St. John Neumann parish was officially established in the Westlake area of Austin in May 1984, with its earliest Masses
held at Valley View Elementary School and later at Cedar Creek Elementary. By the fall of 1986, the congregation moved to
the site at Bee Caves Road and Westlake Drive. Originally intended as the temporary location until a permanent church could
be built on land purchased out River Hills Road, the congregation ultimately faced the economic realities, sold the land
and renovated their temporary facility into St. John Neumann’s “home” site by 1988.
Interior at St. John Neumann
(edited for perspective)
Photographer: Unknown6
A steering committee pursued an alternative plan to acquire land within the Westlake neighborhood that could be rezoned
for the parish’s needs. Construction of the new church at the 28-acre site between Loop 360 and Bee Caves Road began in
the spring of 2000, and the parish officially moved to the new site in January 2003.
Exterior at St. John Neumann
(edited for perspective)
Photographer: Unknown7
Father David Jaeger, a Franciscan friar of the Holy Land, became pastor in 1998 until he was called to Rome in May 1999.
Monsignor Edward Jordan assumed parish responsibilities here in June 1999 to lead the congregation through its Capital
Campaign and organizational move to the new facility.
Sacred Oils at St John Neumann
(detail - edited for perspective)
Photograph by Jason John Paul Haskins, Locus Iste8
Father Bud Roland joined our parish in July 2008, leading the way for the continued growth of our parish. Under his
shepherding, St. John Neumann is destined to reach new heights of membership, stewardship and spirituality.
Exterior at St. John Neumann
Photographer: Unknown9
St. John Neumann is a strong parish, still young, committed to spreading God’s word through Christian living and
outreach.1
St John Neumann
Photograph by Jason John Paul Haskins, Locus Iste10
References
Images
See Tabs: (Resources / Website / Image Resources) for common image sources.
