Very. Rev. John Fenton

Archpriest John Fenton is the Pastor of St Michael Orthodox Christian Church in Whittier, California. Prior to that, he served as Pastor of Holy Incarnation Orthodox Church in Lincoln Park, Michigan (2007-2015) and for 16 years as a Lutheran pastor at rural and inner-city parishes. Since 2009, Fr John also has been the Assistant to the Vicar General of the Western Rite Vicariate in the Antiochian Archdiocese. He has experience in various pastoral, teaching, administrative and community roles, spread over some 30 years of ministry.

Having held teaching certificates in two different states, Fr John has taught on the elementary, secondary, and collegiate levels, and has experience with both online and in-class environments. His work has been published in several academic and popular ecclesial journals and magazines, and he has given a variety of presentations in academic, continuing education, and parish settings. Fr John also has successfully managed 20 annual conferences for clergy and laity.

Fr John and Matushka Julie are the parents of seven children, with 11 grandchildren, who live in six different states. All of their children are active in their various Orthodox parishes.

Father John was ordained to the diaconate and the priesthood by His Grace Bishop Mark of Toledo. 

Educational Background

• B.S. in Ed., Concordia University, Nebraska

• M.Div., Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft Wayne IN

• S.T.M., Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft Wayne IN

Teaching Interests

• Historical Theology

• Liturgical Theology

• Pastoral Theology

Current Projects and Research Interests

• The Ordo (liturgical calendar) for the Western Rite Vicariate

• Managing editor of the Vicariate Missal

• Catechetical materials for Western Rite parishes

Selected Publications

• “Christ is in our Midst,” The Word Magazine, November 2017

• “Preparing for the Mass,” The Word Magazine, November 2016

• “Liturgy in the City,” in Shepherd the Church: Essays in Pastoral Theology Honoring Bishop Roger D. Pittelko (Concordia Theological Seminary Press, May 2002)

• “The Hauptgottesdienst in Wilhelm Löhe’s 1844 Agende as Critique of Luther’s Deutsche Messe,” Concordia Theological Quarterly (April 2000)

Recent Conference Presentations and Activities

• Conference Manager, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018 Western Rite Vicariate biennial conference

• “St Joseph, Patron of Chastity,” Vice & Virtue retreat, Whittier CA, 2019