The parish of San Giovanni was established on 31 May 1942. But we must go back to 1926, when Don Ciccino Gugliotta, the first parish priest of San Giovanni, established the "Vita e Pensiero" association, of which a very young Giorgio La Pira was a member, and a few years later the "San Tarcisio" club, building a first building.
Subsequently, the church was enlarged around the 1960s, again with the parish priest Don Ciccino and the deputy parish priest Don Sebastiano Palumbo.
During the expansion of the Church, religious functions and events took place at the Salatore di Pozzallo, where until recently the famous salted sardines were made. San Giovanni in Pozzallo was celebrated for the first time, with great participation of the people of Pozzallo on 24 June 1925, and just like today it lasted a week.
The original statue of the saint, made of plaster, was created and donated by the photographers' grandfather Assenza, replaced in 1973 by another one (the current one), because over time the first one had been ruined.
Starting in 1987, during the celebrations at the Saint, it was decided to take the simulacrum to sea, on board a ship. Every year, since June 1987, "the sea procession" has been repeated, strongly desired by Don Sebastiano Palumbo.
The church is located in via San Giovanni and is newly built. It has a modern appearance with a three-portico facade. The Latin cross interior is illuminated by colored glass mosaic windows and wrought iron chandeliers. The central chapel features an impressive altarpiece by Valente Assenza depicting various episodes from the life of San Giovanni. The statue of St. John, the work of the sculptor Herber Comploj, is located to the right of the High Altar. With the decree of 19 June 1968, Saint John was reconfirmed by Paul VI as "Patron" of the city together with the Madonna of the Rosary.