Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church was established in 1946 by the Most Reverend Charles F. Buddy, Bishop of San Diego to serve the communities of Encinitas, Cardiff, Leucadia, and Olivenhain.  The church was originally built near Highway 101 and Melrose Avenue and  the mission of the first Pastor, Reverend Patrick H. Linnenman, was to gather the faithful, aquire land, and build a house of worship. In 1957, a Parish school was opened under the supervision of the Benedictine Sisters of Tulsa.

As the Parish grew, the need for a larger church became evident.  Monsignor Michael O’Connor acquired a new site and Monsignor Timothy Harnett oversaw the building of the new church and school. On July 17, 1988, the new church was opened.

Currently Saint John the Evangelist has over 2612 families who continue to grow, worship and share their talents in service to God and neighbor.