Growing up in Newton, NC, John Putnam was raised Southern Baptist but began visiting other churches with friends in his teenage years. He was intrigued by the media coverage in 1978 when Pope Paul VI died, followed by the election of John Paul I who died 30 days later, and the ultimate election of now St. Paul II. He wrote a letter to a local priest who invited him to visit. They chatted and the priest invited John to Mass. “The first time I attended Mass, it was all very new to me. But everything inside of me said, ‘this is where you’re supposed to be.” He was 14 years old at the time. He converted at 16, which was difficult since his family had many misconceptions about Catholicism. As a pre-med major, Fr. Putnam received a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Lenoir-Rhyne College before entering the seminary. He then earned a bachelor’s degree in sacred theology and a master’s degree in divinity from St.Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Charlotte in 1992. He continued his education at The Catholic University of America where he earned a licentiate in Canon Law in 1997. Fr. Putnam has been a Catholic priest for more than 25 years. He is currently the pastor of St. Mark in Huntersville. In addition to his pastoral duties, Father Putnam serves on the Presbyteral Council, the College of Consultors and the Diocese Vocations Board.