About Basilica of St. Paul · Daytona Beach, Florida
The Basilica of St. Paul is a minor basilica of the Roman Catholic Church located at 317 Mullally Street in Daytona Beach, Florida, in the Diocese of Orlando. Known as the 'mother Church of Volusia County,' it traces its origins to 1881 when the first Catholic family settled in Daytona Beach, and the present Mission Revival church was completed in 1927. On January 20, 2006, Pope Benedict XVI elevated St. Paul's to the rank of minor basilica — making it the 60th church in the United States to receive the honor and the first proclaimed by that pope. With more than 1,000 registered families and an active school, the basilica serves Daytona Beach's permanent residents, students, seasonal residents, and visitors along Florida's Atlantic coast.
- Established
- 1881
- Patron
- St. Paul the Apostle
- Rector
- Very Rev. Kenneth J. Gill (Rector)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Orlando
Why belong here
The Basilica of St. Paul is the spiritual heart of Volusia County and welcomes more than 1,000 families from many nations and cultures. Under the motto 'A Beacon of Light, an Ocean of Mercy,' it offers a deep sacramental life — frequent Reconciliation, weekly Eucharistic Adoration ('Christ in the City' on Wednesdays), a monthly Mass with Healing Prayers, First Friday devotions, the Miraculous Medal Novena, and Divine Mercy devotion — alongside an active Basilica School (Pre-K4 through 8th), OCIA for adults, Children's Faith Formation, a high-school Youth Group, and a vibrant Hispanic ministry with Spanish-language Masses. Its historic 1927 Mission Revival church, papally designated as a minor basilica, brings Rome's patrimony — the tintinnabulum and ombrellino — to Daytona Beach, making it a unique parish home for permanent residents, college students, seasonal residents, and visitors alike.
Mass times at Basilica of St. Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:00 pm (Bilingual)
- First Friday 9:30 am – 11:30 am
- By appointment (386-252-5422)
Adoration times
- Wednesday 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm ('Christ in the City' Eucharistic Adoration)
- First Friday Exposition and Adoration 9:30 am – 11:30 am, with Benediction at 11:45 am
History of the Basilica of St. Paul
Catholic life in Daytona Beach began with the 1881 arrival of the German-immigrant Achstetter family. Through visiting priests, mission status under Titusville, and the ministry of Fr. John F. O'Boyle — the first resident priest — the small congregation grew into a parish. The arrival of Fr. William J. Mullally in 1923 marked a turning point: in just two years he opened the only Catholic school on Florida's East Coast (1925), and by 1927 the present Spanish Mission-style church was completed and consecrated by Bishop Patrick Barry on March 4, 1928. Successive pastors oversaw a 1995–96 interior restoration, the 1987 dedication of Casa San Pablo senior housing, replacement of the hurricane-damaged cupola in 2006, and elevation to a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI on January 20, 2006 — solemnized by Bishop Thomas Wenski on January 25, 2006.
- 1881 — first Catholic family arrives in Daytona Beach
- 1886 — mission of St. Teresa, Titusville
- 1895 — Fr. John F. O'Boyle becomes first resident priest
- 1898 — wood-frame church built (capacity ~400)
- 1923 — Fr. William J. Mullally arrives
- 1925 — St. Paul Catholic School opens
- 1927 — current church completed (cost ~$250,000)
- 1928 — Bishop Patrick Barry blesses the church (March 4)
- 1967 — Monsignor Mullally retires after Golden Jubilee
- 1987 — Casa San Pablo senior residence dedicated (March 14)
- 1995–1996 — interior renovation under Fr. Robert Webster
- 1996 — church rededicated and altar consecrated (January 25)
- 2004 — hurricanes damage the cupola and cross
- 2006 — elevated to minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI (January 20)
- 2006 — new cupola and cross blessed September 10, raised September 14
Architecture & Sacred Art
Designed by Chicago architect Gerald A. Barry, the basilica is a Mission Revival cruciform church, 181 feet long, 80 feet wide, and 123 feet tall, with three-foot-thick stucco-over-steel walls. When built, it was the tallest building on the Daytona Beach mainland and one of the area's first with central heat and air-conditioning; it seats about 1,150. The curved pillars flanking the main entrance were modeled on the Bernini columns at the high altar of St. Peter's Basilica. Above the altar is a fresco of the Conversion of St. Paul on the road to Damascus — an unsigned, undated artwork that adds to the church's air of historical mystery. The 1996 renovation preserved the original color scheme, refurbished the 1927 pews, installed a rosewood-and-cherry altar inlaid with five crosses, and converted the former sanctuary into a Eucharistic Chapel with a golden tower surrounding the tabernacle.
- Architect: Gerald A. Barry (Chicago & Jacksonville)
- Style: Mission Revival / Spanish Mission
- Dimensions: 181 ft long × 80 ft wide × 123 ft tall
- Capacity: ~1,150
- Construction cost: ~$250,000
- Entrance pillars modeled on Bernini's columns in St. Peter's
- Fresco of the Conversion of St. Paul above the altar
- Rosewood-and-cherry altar with five inlaid crosses (1996)
- Eucharistic Chapel with golden tabernacle tower
- Cupola & cross replaced in 2006 (Knights of Columbus)
Becoming Catholic (OCIA) & Faith Formation
Adults interested in the Catholic faith are welcomed through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), the parish's year-round process of inquiry, catechesis, and formation that culminates in the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil. Children's Faith Formation, First Reconciliation / First Communion, and a two-year Confirmation program are offered for home-schooled and public-school students; families must be registered parishioners.
- OCIA — contact Martha Elm, 386-252-5422 ext. 304
- Children's Faith Formation (Pre-K4–6th grade), Wednesdays 6:15–8:00 pm
- First Reconciliation / First Holy Communion preparation
- Confirmation I (7th grade) & Confirmation II (8th grade and high school)
- Adult Faith Formation
- FOCCUS Marriage Preparation
- Liturgy of the Word for Children
Basilica School of St. Paul
The parish school, opened in 1925 by the Sisters of St. Dominic of Blauvelt, New York, is now known as the Basilica School of St. Paul and serves Pre-K4/VPK through 8th grade. Located at 317 Mullally Street, it integrates rigorous academics (art, music, physical education, technology) with Catholic identity, sacramental life, and service, under Principal Susan Pickles.
- Grades: Pre-K4/VPK through 8
- Founded: 1925 by the Sisters of St. Dominic of Blauvelt, NY
- Dominican heritage rooted in Mother Mary Ann Sammon's mission
- Athletics, clubs, and service projects
- Principal: Susan Pickles
- Phone: 386-252-7915; Fax: 386-238-7903
- Website: https://www.stpaulpanthers.org/
Youth, Young Adult & Spanish Ministries
The parish maintains active ministries for teens, young adults, and the Spanish-speaking community. The Basilica Youth Group meets weekly during the school year for prayer, catechesis, and fellowship; the Young Adult group gathers monthly for Theology on Tap, prayer/adoration, and socials. The Spanish Commission oversees a full slate of Spanish-language Masses, faith formation, choirs, and outreach.
- Youth Group (grades 9–12) — Wednesdays 6:30–7:30 pm
- Young Adult Theology on Tap — first Tuesday
- Young Adult Prayer & Adoration — second Tuesday
- Spanish Mass: Saturday 6:30 pm vigil, Sunday 1:00 pm
- Spanish Commission: Coro, Monaguillos, Grupo de Oración, Comunidad, Almuerzos, Healing Ministry, Formacion de Fe
- Festival Internacional Familia
Outreach & Social Services
True to its motto 'A Beacon of Light, an Ocean of Mercy,' the Basilica of St. Paul runs and partners with a wide network of outreach ministries serving the homeless, hungry, incarcerated, homebound, and elderly of Volusia County.
- Bridge of Hope Feeding Center
- Casa San Pablo senior housing
- Catholic Charities
- Christmas Angel Tree / Thanksgiving Assistance
- Family Renew
- First Step Shelter
- Halifax Urban Ministries
- Jail Ministry / Prison Outreach
- Window Ministry
- Respect Life / pregnancy crisis support
- Ministry to the Sick and Homebound (including Eucharistic visits)
- Bereavement Ministry
Spiritual Life & Devotions
In addition to its daily Mass schedule, the parish offers a rich devotional life centered on the Eucharist, the Sacred Heart, Divine Mercy, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and healing. Small groups gather throughout the week for prayer, Scripture study, and fellowship.
- 'Christ in the City' Eucharistic Adoration — Wednesdays 5:00–8:00 pm
- First Friday Devotion (Mass, Adoration, Litany of the Sacred Heart, Benediction)
- Mass with Healing Prayers — 2nd Tuesday every other month, 6:00 pm
- Rosary before daily Mass
- Miraculous Medal Novena
- Divine Mercy Devotion
- Monday Night Prayer Group
- Prayer for Healing of Families
- 'Scriptures at St. Paul' — Thursday Bible study using Formed (Augustine Institute)
- Pilgrim Virgin Statue Ministry
- Secular Franciscans
- Order of St. Paul
- Vocations Committee
Clergy & Parish Staff
The basilica is served by the Very Rev. Kenneth J. Gill (Rector), the Rev. Edgar Serrano (Parochial Vicar), and Permanent Deacons Lou Bartos and Michael Phillips, alongside a full parish staff overseeing liturgy, faith formation, school, business, and facilities.
- Very Rev. Kenneth J. Gill — Rector
- Rev. Edgar Serrano — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Lou Bartos — Permanent Deacon
- Deacon Michael Phillips — Permanent Deacon
- Nancy-Jane DiPrima — Business Manager
- Susan Pickles — School Principal
- Martha Elm — Faith Formation Coordinator
- Trish Painter — Facilities Manager
- Jeffrey Fuentes; Josh Kusmierz; Maria Flores
- Office phone: 386-252-5422
Visiting the Basilica
Whether you come for Mass, confession, adoration, or simply to see a piece of Florida Catholic history, the basilica welcomes visitors throughout the week. Group tours can be arranged by appointment.
- Open hours: Mon–Fri 9:30 am – 12:00 pm; Sat 8:30 am – 5:00 pm; Sun 7:45 am – 7:00 pm
- Religious articles store on site
- Group tours: 386-252-5422 ext. 302
- Address: 317 Mullally Street, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
- Email: [email protected]
- On-site parking adjacent to the church and school
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John F. O'Boyle1895–
First resident priest in Daytona Beach; built the 1898 wood-frame church at South Palmetto and Myrtle Avenues.
- Rev. William J. Mullally1923–1967
Built St. Paul Catholic School (1925) and the present Spanish Mission-style church (1927); later named Right Reverend Monsignor by Pope Pius XI; celebrated Golden Jubilee as priest; retired 1967.
- Rev. Thomas Gross
Succeeded Monsignor Mullally.
- Rev. Sean Heslin
His tenure saw planning begin for Casa San Pablo senior housing.
- Rev. Fred R. Ruse
Lifelong parishioner; completed and dedicated Casa San Pablo on March 14, 1987.
- Rev. Matthew Connolly
Served as pastor.
- Very Rev. Robert E. Webster
Led 1995–1996 interior renovation and altar rededication on January 25, 1996.
- Rev. Timothy P. Daly
Former rector.
- Very Rev. Kenneth J. Gill
Current Rector/Pastor; leads 'Christ in the City' Eucharistic Adoration and monthly Mass with Healing Prayers.