About All Souls Catholic Church · Sanford, Florida
All Souls Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Sanford, Florida, in the Diocese of Orlando. Founded on July 4, 1887, it is one of the oldest Catholic parishes in Central Florida, tracing its Catholic mission roots in Sanford back to 1882. Today the parish operates two worship sites — the historic 1937 chapel at 800 South Oak Avenue and the new main church on SR 46 (West 1st Street, 3280) — together with All Souls Catholic School (founded 1954) and All Souls Catholic Cemetery. With well over 1,700 registered families, English-, Spanish- and Latin Masses, RCIA/OCIA preparation, an active Food Pantry and St. Vincent de Paul conference, and a major campus expansion underway, All Souls serves as the Catholic anchor of Seminole County.
- Established
- 1887
- Patron
- All Souls
- Rector
- Rev. Jeremiah Payne (current pastor per Diocese of Orlando staff directory)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Orlando
Why belong here
All Souls draws worshippers from across Seminole County with an unusually rich liturgical life — three English Sunday Masses, a Spanish Mass, a Traditional Latin Mass at the 1937 Historic Chapel, daily Masses, a Friday Holy Hour with Adoration, and a robust choir and music ministry. The parish combines that deep sacramental rhythm with practical outreach (a Food Pantry feeding the local community, a St. Vincent de Paul conference, respect-life and prison ministries, and Knights of Columbus service) and a thriving faith-formation program for the more than 400 children enrolled each year, along with All Souls Catholic School for Pre-K through 8th grade.
Mass times at All Souls Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Fridays 9:00–9:50 AM during the Holy Hour (English, at All Souls Chapel, 800 South Oak Avenue)
- Saturdays 9:00–10:00 AM (English, at All Souls Chapel, 800 South Oak Avenue)
- By appointment through the Parish Office: (407) 322-3795
Adoration times
- Friday Holy Hour: 9:00–10:00 AM at All Souls Historic Chapel (800 South Oak Avenue)
- Adoration Chapel open Monday–Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (parish office stop-in required first)
Parish Identity & Mission
All Souls Catholic Parish describes its mission as forming 'disciples of Christ rooted in worship and sent forth to serve all souls.' Founded July 4, 1887 in what is now the Diocese of Orlando, it is one of the oldest Catholic parishes in Central Florida. The parish lives this mission across two worship sites — the new main church on SR 46 (West 1st Street) and the 1937 All Souls Historic Chapel on South Oak Avenue — supported by a parish office at 301 W. 8th Street, All Souls Catholic School, and All Souls Catholic Cemetery.
- Established July 4, 1887 — cornerstone laid as part of Sanford's Independence Day celebration
- Diocese of Orlando, Central Deanery North
- Mission: 'disciples of Christ rooted in worship and sent forth to serve all souls.'
- Over 1,776 registered families
- Two worship sites (Main Church on SR 46 and Historic Chapel at 800 S. Oak Avenue)
Founding Story and 1887 Origins
Catholic life in Sanford dates to 1882 when Father McFaul, a priest from St. Louis, began serving the Maitland/Sanford missions and celebrated Mass at Doyle's Hall. In 1886 Father Felix Prosper Swembergh — a French-born missionary who had served Native American settlements on the Kansas frontier — became resident priest in Orlando and took charge of the Sanford mission. On April 26, 1887 the Diocese of St. Augustine purchased an entire block bounded by 8th and 9th Streets and Myrtle and Oak Avenues for $2,600. Father Swembergh laid the marble cornerstone inscribed 'I.H.S.' on July 4, 1887 as part of Sanford's grand Independence Day celebration. Weeks later he died of yellow fever in Tampa while caring for the sick, on October 31, 1887.
- 1882 — Father McFaul begins Sanford mission; Mass at Doyle's Hall
- 1886 — Father Swembergh moves to Orlando and tends the Sanford mission
- April 26, 1887 — Diocese of St. Augustine buys block for $2,600
- July 4, 1887 — Marble cornerstone laid, inscribed 'I.H.S.' (Jesus Savior of Men)
- October 31, 1887 — Father Swembergh dies of yellow fever in Tampa
The 1932 Fire and 1937 Rebuilding
During the pastorate of Rev. James J. McInerney (September 1, 1930 – August 31, 1932), the original 1887 frame church burned to the ground in the early morning hours of January 25, 1932; the first fire alarm came in at 4:30 a.m. The rectory nearly burned, but church records were saved. With the country in the Great Depression, impoverished parishioners rebuilt the church themselves over five years for $28,000, using a two-story frame building Father Bresnahan had earlier erected (first floor chapel, second floor rectory) for interim Mass. The new Spanish Mission–inspired stucco church with red-tiled roof, tall rectangular windows of colored glass and a rear choir loft seated 430, and Bishop Barry dedicated it on July 4, 1937 — exactly the 50th anniversary of the original cornerstone — during the pastorate of Rev. John J. Kelleghan.
- January 25, 1932 — Original church burns; first alarm at 4:30 a.m.
- Church rebuilt with parishioner labor for $28,000 over five years
- July 4, 1937 — Bishop Barry dedicates new church; 50th anniversary of original cornerstone
- 1937 church is today's All Souls Historic Chapel at 800 S. Oak Avenue
School and Convent History
The first All Souls School was organized in 1913 but closed after one year. It was re-established under Rev. Richard J. Lyons (ordained in the Society of the Divine Word) and opened September 7, 1954 with 165 pupils in a converted garage on land purchased by the parish — staffed by the first Sisters of Christian Charity to serve in Florida. A permanent school and parish hall were built in 1960, with a multi-purpose center and classroom addition in 1981. The Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine taught from 1978–1983, followed by Ursuline nuns who arrived in 1987. Today All Souls Catholic School (Pre-K through 8th grade, 810 South Oak Avenue) enrolls over 300 students in expanded science and technology labs.
- 1913 — First All Souls school opens; closes after one year
- September 7, 1954 — School reopens; first Sisters of Christian Charity in Florida
- 1960 — Permanent school and parish hall built
- 1978–1983 — Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine on staff
- 1981 — Multi-purpose center and classroom addition
- 1987 — Ursuline nuns arrive
- Today: 300+ students in Pre-K through 8th grade
Lay Societies and Parish Organizations
Lay life at All Souls dates back to the late 1920s with the founding of the All Souls Catholic Women's Club (a DCCW affiliate). The Holy Name Society was reactivated in 1951 and renamed the Men's Club. Over the decades the parish has added a Knights of Columbus council, a St. Vincent de Paul conference, a Food Pantry, respect-life and prison ministries, and youth and marriage/family ministries — alongside the parish's three choirs.
- Catholic Women's Club (late 1920s)
- Holy Name Society / Men's Club (reactivated 1951)
- Knights of Columbus
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference
- All Souls Food Pantry
- Respect Life Ministry
Worship Schedule and Sacraments
The parish offers a rich liturgical calendar across its two worship sites. Weekday Mass (Monday–Saturday at 8:30 AM) and the Traditional Latin Mass (Sunday 2:00 PM) are celebrated at All Souls Historic Chapel, 800 South Oak Avenue. The main church on SR 46 hosts the Saturday 5:00 PM Vigil and three Sunday Masses: 8:00 AM English, 10:00 AM English (livestreamed), and 12:00 PM Spanish (livestreamed). Confessions are heard Friday 9:00–9:50 AM during the Holy Hour and Saturday 9:00–10:00 AM at the Historic Chapel, with appointments available through the Parish Office. The Adoration Chapel is open Monday–Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
- Daily Mass Mon–Sat 8:30 AM (Historic Chapel)
- Sunday Latin Mass 2:00 PM (Historic Chapel)
- Saturday Vigil 5:00 PM (Main Church)
- Sunday Masses 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM Spanish, 2:00 PM Latin
- Confession Fri 9:00–9:50 AM (Holy Hour) and Sat 9:00–10:00 AM (Historic Chapel)
- Friday Holy Hour with Adoration and Benediction
- Adoration Chapel Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Faith Formation, OCIA, and Sacramental Preparation
All Souls runs a year-round Faith Formation program that enrolls over 400 students, with sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation. OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) walks inquirers through the journey of becoming Catholic, and the parish invites those with questions to a weekly 'Come and See' info night. First Communion candidates typically participate in weekly Faith Formation classes, learn about the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before First Communion, and pray as a family.
- Faith Formation Program (~400 students)
- OCIA / RCIA for adults
- First Holy Communion preparation
- Confirmation preparation through diocesan program
- Weekly Faith Formation classes and Sacramental Preparation sessions
Music and Liturgical Arts
All Souls fosters a multicultural music ministry: the Parish Choir rehearses Tuesday evenings at 6:00 PM and sings at the Sunday 10:00 AM Mass plus all Solemnities; the Spanish Choir rehearses Sundays at 11:15 AM in the music room and sings at the 12:00 PM Spanish Mass with keyboard, guitar, and percussion drawing on Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Colombian traditions; and a Contemporary Choir and instrumentalists (flute, oboe, brass, timpani) round out the music program. Christmas Midnight Mass includes a special choral prelude.
- Parish Choir (Tue 6:00 PM rehearsal; Sun 10:00 AM)
- Spanish Choir (Sun 11:15 AM rehearsal; Sun 12:00 PM Mass)
- Contemporary Choir
- Instrumentalists program (flute, oboe, brass, timpani)
- Christmas Midnight Mass special prelude
All Souls Catholic School
All Souls Catholic School (810 South Oak Avenue, Sanford; 407-322-7090) has educated Sanford-area children continuously since 1954, when it reopened with 165 pupils under the Sisters of Christian Charity. The school has grown into a Pre-K through 8th-grade program with more than 300 students and expanded science and technology labs, and continues to partner with parish Faith Formation and sacramental preparation.
- Founded 1954 (re-establishment of 1913 effort)
- First Sisters of Christian Charity in Florida (1954)
- Pre-K through 8th grade
- 300+ students
- Expanded science and technology labs
All Souls Catholic Cemetery
The parish operates All Souls Catholic Cemetery at 1825 W. 25th Street, Sanford, FL. Inquiries about plots and services are handled through the Parish Office at (407) 322-3795.
- Address: 1825 W. 25th Street, Sanford, FL
- Parish-operated cemetery
- Contact: Parish Office (407) 322-3795
Campus Expansion and Master Plan
Under current pastor Fr. Jeremiah Payne, All Souls has completed the new main church on State Road 46 and begun shaping the 63-acre SR 46 campus. A parish synod produced overwhelming support for a parish hall and parochial school, and the parish has published a formal Master Site Plan prepared with attention to architectural and civil-engineering constraints after the Diocese sold property to CONDEV. Phase One is the Parish Life and Discipleship Center, contingent on a future Capital Campaign.
- New main church on SR 46 (3280 West 1st Street)
- 63-acre campus at SR 46
- Master Site Plan published under Fr. Jeremiah Payne
- Parish synod endorsed parish hall and parochial school
- Phase One: Parish Life and Discipleship Center
Getting Involved
All Souls welcomes new parishioners and visitors to attend any Mass. Those interested in joining a ministry, the OCIA process, the school, or the choir are encouraged to contact the Parish Office at (407) 322-3795 or visit the website at asccsanford.org. The parish also partners with the Food Pantry and St. Vincent de Paul to serve the local community through donations and volunteering.
- Office: (407) 322-3795
- Website: asccsanford.org
- Volunteer opportunities in Food Pantry, St. Vincent de Paul, choirs, and ministries
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Felix Prosper Swembergh1886–1887
First resident priest in Orlando and Sanford; laid the cornerstone July 4, 1887; died of yellow fever in Tampa on October 31, 1887 while caring for the sick.
- Rev. Michael Fox1887–1910
Traveled from Orlando to tend the Sanford mission until spring 1911 (per parish history).
- Rev. Patrick J. 'P.J.' Bresnahan1910/1911–1915
First resident priest of All Souls; arrived late 1910, first Mass as resident pastor on October 23, 1910; in 1915 Bishop Curley sent him to Tallahassee to combat anti-Catholic legislation; built the two-story frame chapel/rectory that was used during the 1930s rebuilding.
- Rev. James J. McInerney1930-09-01 to 1932-08-31
Served during the Great Depression; original 1887 church burned on his watch on January 25, 1932.
- Rev. John J. Kelleghan1930s pastorate (post-1937)
Pastor when Bishop Barry dedicated the new 1937 church on July 4, 1937.
- Rev. William J. Nachtrab1942–1950
Rented a house as rectory.
- Rev. Anthony McGowan1950–
Purchased the rectory at the corner of Oak Street and Eighth Avenue in January 1951.
- Rev. Richard J. Lyons1950s (post-1951)
Ordained in the Society of the Divine Word; during his pastorate All Souls School was re-established and staffed by the first Sisters of Christian Charity to serve in Florida, opening September 7, 1954 with 165 pupils.
- Rev. Gilbert Medina2014–present (named 2014)
Pastor who oversaw the completion of the new main church on SR 46 and the parish's expansion onto the 63-acre property at 3280 W. 1st St.
- Rev. Jeremiah PayneCurrent
Current pastor per the Diocese of Orlando staff directory; oversaw the development of a formal master site plan for the SR 46 campus and a planned Capital Campaign for a Parish Life and Discipleship Center.