Archbishop Thomas A. Connolly established St. John Bosco Parish in June of 1968, incorporating territory from Visitation and St. Frances Cabrini Parishes. The founding pastor of St. John Bosco was Father Edward J. Norris. From June of 1968 until the first Mass at St. John Bosco in August of 1971, masses were held in the Classatorium at Lakes High School.
Archbishop Connolly dedicated the church building on November 7, 1971. The building was expanded in 1991 to include a parish hall, nursery, library, offices, and meeting rooms. Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy dedicated the addition on June 2, 1991. Since 1993, the parish has seen the completion of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, which was dedicated on July 11, 1998 by Archbishop Alexander Brunett. The Knights of Columbus Council 11762 of St. John Bosco initiated the development of the Parish Meditation Park, and this was dedicated on May 1, 1998.
While St. John Bosco Parish was established in 1968, it traces its history to the first church built in Washington Territory: the Immaculate Conception Mission in Steilacoom. St. John Bosco Parish is assigned the responsibility to administer the mission.