• 14 April 1952 : Cardinal Francis Spellman, Archbishop of New York, dedicates the new church of St. John the Evangelist, which becomes a mission church of St. Mary Mother of God in Wytheville VA. At the time, southwest Virginia including Smyth County is part of the Diocese of Wheeling WV. Rev. John O'Reilly (1) was at the time Pastor of St. Mary.
• 1954 : Rev. John Park (2) is appointed Pastor of St. Mary.
• 1961 : Rev. Andrew Heaney (3) is appointed Pastor of St. Mary.
• 1967 : Rev. John Fahey (4) is appointed Pastor of St. Mary.
• 1974 : Rev. Norman Murphy (5) is appointed Pastor of St. Mary.
• 4 June 1974 : Bishop Walter F. Sullian is appointed 11th Bishop of Richmond.
• 28 May 1974 : Southwest Virginia parishes are transferred from the Diocese of Wheeling WV to the Diocese of Richmond VA.
• 10 December 1974: Rev. Daniel Bain (6) is appointed Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church in Marion and the mission church in Abingdon.
• April 1975 : The Abingdon church community takes the name Christ the King. 
• 28 February 1983 : Rev. Carl DeSouza is appointed Administrator.
• 7 May 1983 : Dedication of new Christ the King Church in Abingdon.
• 31 May 1983 : Rev. Carl DeSouza (7) is appointed Pastor.
• 29 May 1985 : Rev. Leo Cervantes (8) is appointed Pastor.
• 26 August 1988 : Rev. Kenneth Stofft is appointed Administrator.
• 30 May 1989 : Rev. Robert Krenik (9) is appointed Pastor.
• 1 September 2003 : Rev. Paul Maier (10) is appointed Pastor. During his tenure he moves his residence to Abingdon.
• 1 July 2012 : Rev. Francis Xavier Musolooza (11) is appointed Pastor.
• 1 August 2022 : Rev. Rolo B. Castillo (12) is appointed Pastor.
• 1 July 2023 : Rev. Chris Masla is appointed Pastor

Welcome to St. John the Evangelist Parish in Smyth County VA! We are a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Richmond. My name is Fr. Chris Masla (I go by Fr. Chris), the pastor of St. John the Evangelist in Marion, as well as Christ the King in Abingdon. If you're new to the area I sincerely hope you find a spiritual home here. And if you're just visiting, we're grateful to have you with us!