St. John the Wonderworker Mission Holds First Divine Liturgy

The newly formed community at St. John Mission in New Waverly, Texas. Photo: Cory Meissner

NEW WAVERLY — Tucked away in the rural hills of the Southeast Texas Piney Woods, a gathering for the first Divine Liturgy of the newly established St. John the Wonderworker Mission took place the morning of May 2, 2026. It was an idyllic morning — the spring showers from the prior day brought with them a cool relief to the encroaching summer heat. This was a small grace that represented the optimism of this new community in North Houston. 

Services are currently being held at a local Presbyterian church. Photo: Cory Meissner

The mission — part of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) — was planted by Fr. John Whiteford and a handful of faithful parishioners from St. Jonah Orthodox Church further south in Spring, Texas. The vision was a product of the enormous growth that St. Jonah's has experienced over the last few years, and the recognized need to better service people driving extensively to attend. If Texans living up in the country were finding their way to parishes in Spring, Conroe, and other greater Houston area parishes, then a parish planted in their own backyard could bear great fruit. The Diocese of Chicago and Mid-America agreed, and Abp. Gabriel of Montreal and Canada (then-locum tenens) blessed the mission to be established under the patronage of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco.

St. John holds a special reverence for the founding community. What started in hope began to take shape rapidly as intercessory prayers to the great wonderworker were answered. What seemed an uncertain timeline, perhaps taking years to accomplish, was coincidentally brought to life as the first service was held just one year to the date since Fr. John voiced his desire to start a mission.

One parishioner lives on an acreage across the street from a Presbyterian church that was established in 1860 — a beautiful Southern American-style church with whitewashed wooden exterior, stained glass, and green roof complete with a bell tower. There was chatter of how perfect this location would be for the mission, but this remained a distant fantasy. Until it wasn’t.

After several encounters with the current administration of the church, it was discovered that attendance there was in decline, and they were more amenable to sharing the space with a community that would make use of the property. An agreement was eventually made in which they would allow the St. John Mission to use the hall for services every other Friday evening and Saturday morning. The growing Texas Orthodox population did not skip a beat to faithfully steward the opportunity to bring glory to God in this church.

Fr. John Whiteford speaks to the faithful during his homily. Photo: Cory Meissner

The first liturgy was attended by over 60 people as supporters from St. Jonah and other parishes showed up to express their willingness and desire to spread Orthodoxy. Fr. John noted in his homily how much further ahead they already were compared to when he first began St. Jonah's in-house chapel in 1998. He encouraged the parishioners to endure with patience the trials and obstacles that come with establishing a parish, expressing assurance that if they stayed the course, any struggle or battle can be overcome in service to Christ.

By the prayers of St. John and the grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the mission of St John the Wonderworker will prosper and advance the Kingdom of God.

A special thanks to the Waverly Presbyterian Church for allowing the mission of St. John to use their facilities. Information about the parish can be found at stjohnorthodoxchurch.org.

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