About Blessed Trinity · Bonifay, Florida
Blessed Trinity is a small Catholic family parish serving Bonifay in the Florida Panhandle, situated in Holmes County and belonging to the West Central Deanery of the Diocese of Pensacola–Tallahassee. The parish was canonically established in 1979 and offers the faithful Sunday Mass, a Saturday Vigil Mass, and a midweek weekday Mass, with confessions heard before each Mass and Eucharistic Adoration offered on the first Saturday of each month. It is currently pastored by Reverend Richard Dawson, who also serves St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in DeFuniak Springs, and the community numbers approximately 60 registered families. The parish supports the wider Church across Northwest Florida and the Big Bend through the annual Catholic Sharing Appeal.
- Established
- 1979
- Rector
- Reverend Richard Dawson
- Diocese
- Diocese of Pensacola–Tallahassee
Why belong here
Blessed Trinity offers the warmth and intimacy of a small rural Catholic family parish, where most parishioners know one another by name and where the pastor (currently serving two parishes) is a familiar presence. Sunday Mass, a Saturday Vigil, and a midweek Mass give steady liturgical rhythm, and the parish supports devotions like First Saturday Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation before each Mass — classic pillars of traditional Catholic parish life. It is also a fitting spiritual home for Catholics living in the more rural reaches of Holmes County and the surrounding Florida Panhandle, who would otherwise have to travel considerable distances to attend Mass.
Mass times at Blessed Trinity
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM (before Saturday Vigil Mass)
- Sunday 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM (before Sunday Mass)
- Wednesday 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM (before Wednesday Mass)
Adoration times
- First Saturday of the month, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (followed by Mass)
Parish Identity & Overview
Blessed Trinity Parish is a small Roman Catholic family parish serving Bonifay in Holmes County, Florida. It belongs to the West Central Deanery of the Diocese of Pensacola–Tallahassee, and is pastored by Reverend Richard Dawson, who simultaneously serves St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in DeFuniak Springs. The parish numbers roughly 60 registered families and offers Sunday Mass, a Saturday Vigil, and a midweek weekday Mass.
- Type: Parish (Roman Catholic, Latin Rite)
- Diocese: Pensacola–Tallahassee
- Deanery: West Central
- Established: 1979
- Approximate families: 60
History of Blessed Trinity Parish
Blessed Trinity was canonically established in 1979 in Bonifay, in the rural Florida Panhandle. As one of the smaller parishes of the Diocese of Pensacola–Tallahassee, it has historically been served both by diocesan priests and by visiting priests from other dioceses and religious institutes. The parish's official website is hosted at blessedtrinity.ptdiocese.org, the standard diocesan web template for parishes.
- Canonically established: 1979
- Listed in diocese credibly-accused disclosures with priest assignments in 1988–1995 and 2006
- Continued active ministry through 2024–2026 diocesan directories
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Rev. Richard Dawson, who was ordained on June 6, 1981. Father Dawson serves as pastor of both Blessed Trinity Parish in Bonifay and St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in DeFuniak Springs. The parish's administrative staff includes Regenia Irvin, Executive Assistant, who supports parish operations.
- Rev. Richard Dawson — Pastor
- Regenia Irvin — Executive Assistant
Deanery & Diocese
Blessed Trinity Parish belongs to the West Central Deanery of the Diocese of Pensacola–Tallahassee, currently led as dean by Very Reverend Stephen Voyt, VF. Sister parishes in the deanery include St. Margaret of Scotland (DeFuniak Springs), Our Lady of Victory (Crestview), Christ the King (Freeport), Christ Our Redeemer (Niceville), Holy Name of Jesus (Niceville), Corpus Christi (Destin), St. Mary (Fort Walton Beach), St. Peter (Mary Esther), Resurrection (Miramar Beach), and St. Rita (Santa Rosa Beach).
- Diocese: Pensacola–Tallahassee
- Deanery: West Central
- Dean: Very Rev. Stephen Voyt, VF
- Diocesan website: ptdiocese.org
Visiting & Directions
The parish is located at 2331 Highway 177A in Bonifay, Florida. From I-10, travelers take State Road 79 south into Bonifay; at the third traffic light, they turn onto Highway 177A, and the church is approximately one mile on the right. The parish office operates by appointment only, but visitors are warmly welcomed at all scheduled Masses and devotions.
- Address: 2331 Highway 177A, Bonifay, FL 32425
- Phone: (850) 547-3735
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: by appointment
Catholic Sharing Appeal & Stewardship
Blessed Trinity participates in the annual Catholic Sharing Appeal, the Diocese of Pensacola–Tallahassee's unified annual giving program that funds ministries across Northwest Florida and the Big Bend. As a parish of about 60 families, its contributions support the wider diocesan mission in formation, charity, education, and evangelization.
- Annual appeal: Catholic Sharing Appeal (CSA)
- Geographic service area: Northwest Florida and the Big Bend
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Reverend Philip Halstead1988–1995
Listed in the Diocese of Pensacola–Tallahassee's credibly-accused disclosures as assigned to Blessed Trinity, Bonifay from 1988 to 1995; died 2002.
- Reverend Godugunuru Vijay Bhaskar2006
A priest of the Diocese of Cuddapah, Andhra Pradesh, India, temporarily assigned to Blessed Trinity, Bonifay in 2006.
- Reverend Richard Dawson2024–present
Ordained June 6, 1981; listed as pastor in the Diocese of Pensacola–Tallahassee 2024 and 2026 directories; also serves as pastor of St. Margaret of Scotland Parish, DeFuniak Springs.