About All Souls Historic Chapel · Sanford, Florida
All Souls Catholic Parish is one of the oldest Catholic communities in Central Florida, tracing its roots to 1882 in Sanford, Seminole County. The parish was formally established on July 4, 1887, when its cornerstone was laid, and today it serves more than 1,776 families from two locations — the historic 1937 chapel at 800 S. Oak Avenue and the newer main church on SR 46. Worship is offered in English, Spanish, and Latin, including a traditional Latin Mass celebrated in the Historic Chapel every Sunday at 2:00 pm. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Orlando, operates All Souls Catholic School (over 300 students), runs a Faith Formation program for another 400 students, and its ministries serve the people of Sanford with food, clothing, and shelter for those in need.
- Established
- 1887
- Patron
- All Souls (the Holy Souls in Purgatory)
- Rector
- Rev. Jeremiah Payne
- Diocese
- Diocese of Orlando
Why belong here
All Souls is one of the oldest Catholic communities in Central Florida, anchored by the 1937 Historic Chapel on South Oak Avenue and a new main church on SR 46, where parishioners worship in English, Spanish, and Latin. The parish runs a Catholic school (300+ students), a Faith Formation program for another 400, and ministries that distribute food, clothing, and shelter to those in need across Sanford. With more than 1,776 families and a mission statement to 'Gather in Worship, Go in Service,' All Souls offers a deep sacramental life, weekly Friday Adoration, and a clear path for newcomers through OCIA, K–12 faith formation, and youth ministry.
Mass times at All Souls Historic Chapel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday 9:00–10:00 am during Adoration — Historic Chapel
- Friday (1st & 3rd of month) 7:00–8:00 pm (Spanish) — Historic Chapel
- Saturday 9:00–10:00 am — Historic Chapel
- By appointment (call the Parish Office)
Adoration times
- Friday 9:00–10:00 am — Historic Chapel
Our Story — Catholic Life in Sanford Since 1882
Catholic life in Sanford, a Seminole County town, dates back to 1882, when Father McFaul, a priest from St. Louis, Missouri, began celebrating the four-year-old Central Florida missions in Maitland and Sanford, holding Mass at Doyle's Hall. Father Felix Prosper Swembergh, a Flemish-born priest, became the first resident priest of Central Florida in 1886 and laid the cornerstone for All Souls Church on July 4, 1887, as part of Sanford's grand Independence Day celebration. He died of yellow fever in Tampa on October 31, 1887, before the church was completed.
- Cornerstone laid July 4, 1887 by Father Swembergh
- 1882: First Central Florida missions begun in Sanford and Maitland
- Mass originally celebrated at Doyle's Hall
- Diocese of St. Augustine land purchased April 26, 1887 for $2,600 — an entire block between 8th and 9th Streets and Myrtle and Oak Avenues
The Historic Chapel (1887–1932, Rebuilt 1937)
The original 1887 frame church was painted white, with four pillars at the front, a gabled roof, and a rectangular shape. Its cornerstone bore the inscription 'I.H.S.' (Jesus Savior of Men). That first church burned to the ground in the early morning hours of January 25, 1932, during the depths of the Great Depression, while Rev. James J. McInerney was pastor (1930–1932). Poor but determined, parishioners rebuilt the church on the same Oak Avenue property with their own hands over five years at a cost of $28,000, and the new church was dedicated on July 4, 1937 — exactly fifty years after the cornerstone of the first.
- Original 1887 church: white frame, four pillars, gabled roof
- Fire destroyed the church January 25, 1932
- Rebuilt by parishioners in five years for $28,000
- Dedicated July 4, 1937 — 50th anniversary of cornerstone
- Still standing today at 800 S. Oak Avenue as All Souls Historic Chapel
Parish Mission & Logo
All Souls Catholic Parish is named for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, reflecting its identity as a community rooted in prayer, mercy, and hope. The parish mission statement is 'All Souls Catholic Parish forms disciples of Christ rooted in worship and sent forth to serve all souls.' Its visual motto is 'Gather in Worship • Go in Service.' The parish logo centers on a purgatorial flame set within a stained-glass-inspired cross enclosed in a circular form that echoes the rose windows of the church — together symbolizing purification, divine love, eternity, and unity in Christ.
- Named for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
- Mission: 'forms disciples of Christ rooted in worship and sent forth to serve all souls'
- Motto: 'Gather in Worship • Go in Service'
- Logo features purgatorial flame, stained-glass cross, and circular rose-window design
- Deep red (sacrificial love, Holy Spirit, Christ's Passion) and gold (glory of heaven)
Clergy & Staff
All Souls is currently pastored by Rev. Jeremiah Payne. He is assisted by Rev. Luis Salazar, Parochial Vicar (who also serves as Assistant Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Orlando), and Rev. Andrezej Jurkiewicz, Latin Mass Celebrant. Parish staff includes a Parish Catechetical Leader, a Faith Formation Coordinator, a Youth Ministry Coordinator, a Director of Operations & Finance, a Facilities Manager, and a Director of Music & Liturgy.
- Rev. Jeremiah Payne — Pastor
- Rev. Luis Salazar — Parochial Vicar (also Assistant Director of Vocations, Diocese of Orlando)
- Rev. Andrezej Jurkiewicz — Latin Mass Celebrant
- Andrew V. Smith — Director of Music & Liturgy
- Nelson Thielen — Parish Catechetical Leader
- Amon Guerrero — Faith Formation Coordinator (First Communion)
- Deacon on staff
Faith Formation & OCIA
All Souls describes faith formation as beginning at home, with parents as the first teachers of the Catholic faith. The parish offers family-centered formation that partners with parents to help them understand Church teachings and live them out, with regular participation in Mass described as central to the journey. Programs serve children (K–12), high-school youth, adults, and those preparing to enter the Church through the Order of Christian Initiation (OCIA). The parish educates approximately 400 students in its Faith Formation Program, alongside more than 300 students in All Souls Catholic School.
- K–12 Faith Formation
- OCIA / RCIA for adults entering the Church
- Youth Ministry (Middle School and High School)
- Catechist Info Nights (June 10 / July 8)
- Family-centered approach supporting parents as primary educators
All Souls Catholic School
All Souls Catholic School has been educating students in Sanford for generations. The school was first organized in 1913 but closed after one year; it reopened on September 7, 1954, under Rev. Richard J. Lyons, SVD, with the first Sisters of Christian Charity to serve in Florida. The Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine taught from 1978–1983, followed by Ursuline nuns from 1987 onward. A hall and permanent school were built in 1960; in 1981 a multi-purpose center and a school addition were added. The school continues to expand its science and technology labs and currently enrolls over 300 students on the campus adjacent to the Historic Chapel.
- First school organized 1913 (closed after one year)
- Reopened September 7, 1954 — Sisters of Christian Charity
- Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine 1978–1983
- Ursuline nuns arrived 1987
- Permanent school built 1960; multi-purpose center 1981
- Currently 300+ students, expanding science and technology labs
- Located at 810 South Oak Avenue, Sanford, FL 32771
- Phone: (407) 322-7090
Parish Societies & Outreach
All Souls Catholic Women's Club, founded in the late 1920s, is affiliated with the DCCW (Diocesan Council of Catholic Women). The Holy Name Society, reactivated in 1951, became the Men's Club. Beyond these traditional societies, All Souls ministries serve the people of the Sanford area with tremendous amounts of food, clothing and shelter for those in need; care for the unborn, small children, the elderly and the homebound is a constant concern; and the parish places high value on healthy, happy married couples caring for their children in a nurturing atmosphere.
- All Souls Catholic Women's Club (founded late 1920s, affiliated with DCCW)
- Men's Club (reactivated 1951 as successor to Holy Name Society)
- Outreach: food, clothing, shelter for those in need
- Care for the unborn, small children, the elderly, and homebound
- Family-centered parish culture
Locations & Master Site Plan
All Souls Catholic Parish worships at two sites in Sanford. The All Souls Historic Chapel at 800 South Oak Avenue remains the historic heart of the parish and home to weekday Masses, the Latin Mass, Confession, and Adoration. The new main church, completed on SR 46, hosts the Vigil and Sunday Masses in English and Spanish. The parish's 2024 Master Site Plan envisions construction of a parish hall and a new parochial school on the SR 46 campus, with a Capital Campaign to follow as economic conditions permit.
- Historic Chapel: 800 S. Oak Avenue, Sanford, FL 32771
- Main Church: 3280 W. 1st St. (SR 46), Sanford, FL 32771
- Parish Office: 301 W. 8th Street, Sanford, FL 32771
- School: 810 South Oak Avenue, Sanford, FL 32771
- 2024 Master Site Plan: future parish hall + new school at SR 46 campus
- Phase One envisioned: Parish Life and Discipleship Center
Visiting & Getting Involved
All Souls welcomes newcomers and visitors from across Central Florida. The parish office at 301 W. 8th Street is open Monday–Friday 8:00 am–4:00 pm (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 pm), with summer hours of Monday–Thursday 8:00 am–4:00 pm and Friday 8:00 am–12:00 pm. Newcomers are encouraged to follow All Souls on social media, join the parish email list, or view the bulletin online. Becoming Catholic, joining Faith Formation, or volunteering as a catechist are the most common ways to get involved.
- Parish Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 am–4:00 pm (closed for lunch 12:00–1:00 pm)
- Summer Hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 am–4:00 pm; Fri 8:00 am–12:00 pm
- Join the parish email list or view the bulletin online
- Follow on Facebook: All Souls Catholic Community
- Volunteer: Catechist Info Nights, Faith Formation, OCIA team, liturgical ministries
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father McFaul1882
St. Louis priest who began the Central Florida missions in Maitland and Sanford; celebrated Mass at Doyle's Hall.
- Rev. Felix Prosper Swembergh1886–1887
First resident priest of the Central Florida missions; built the original 1887–1888 church; laid cornerstone July 4, 1887; died of yellow fever in Tampa, Oct. 31, 1887.
- Father Fox1887–1911
Based in Orlando; tended the Sanford mission until spring 1911.
- Rev. Patrick J. Bresnahan1911–1915
First resident priest of Sanford; era when sacraments were regularly administered; later sent to Tallahassee by Bishop Curley.
- Rev. James J. McInerneySept 1, 1930 – Aug 31, 1932
Pastor during whose tenure the original church burned on Jan. 25, 1932.
- Rev. William J. Nachtrab1942–1950
Rented a house as rectory.
- Rev. Anthony McGowan1951 onward
Bought the rectory at Oak Street and Eighth Avenue in January 1951.
- Rev. Richard J. Lyons, SVDafter 1951
Society of the Divine Word; reopened All Souls School on Sept. 7, 1954 with the first Sisters of Christian Charity to serve in Florida.
- Fr. Gilbert Medina2014
Named pastor in 2014.
- Fr. Jeremiah Paynepresent
Current pastor; oversaw completion of the new church on SR 46 and the 2024 Master Site Plan.