About Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle · St Petersburg, Florida
The Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle is the mother church of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Florida. Originally established as a parish on December 12, 1950, it was elevated to cathedral status in 1968 when the diocese was created. The cathedral is renowned for its iconic gold dome rising 62 feet above the sanctuary, a Byzantine-influenced design that has made it a landmark on St. Petersburg's northwest side. Today it serves more than 4,000 registered families and continues to function as both an active parish and the seat of the diocesan bishop.
- Established
- 1950
- Patron
- St. Jude the Apostle (St. Jude Thaddeus)
- Rector
- Very Reverend Thomas T. (Tom) Morgan
- Diocese
- Diocese of St. Petersburg
Why belong here
The Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle offers the rare combination of a large, historic parish community (over 4,000 families) and the liturgical richness of the mother church of the Diocese of St. Petersburg — including a recently renovated sanctuary, weekday adoration with extended Thursday hours ending in Benediction, and a strong music ministry. Families benefit from the on-site Cathedral School of St. Jude (founded 1954) along with full faith formation programs for children, youth, and adults. As the bishop's seat, it is also where major diocesan liturgies and ordinations take place, drawing a community that takes seriously both its Catholic identity and its place in St. Petersburg's civic life.
Mass times at Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Friday: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
- Saturday: 8:45 am – 9:45 am
Adoration times
- Tuesday: 8:45 am – 9:45 am (Our Lady's Chapel, as schedule allows)
- Thursday: 11:30 am – 6:30 pm (Cathedral, with Benediction at 6:20–6:30 pm)
Parish History
The parish traces its origins to 1950, when the Diocese of St. Augustine purchased ten acres of swampland in northwest St. Petersburg for what would become the city's sixth Catholic parish. Father Paul Leo Manning was assigned to organize it on November 24, 1950, and Archbishop Joseph Hurley canonically erected the Parish of St. Jude the Apostle on December 12, 1950. The first Mass was celebrated February 11, 1951 in a garage on the grounds of Admiral Farragut Academy. Through the dedication of Monsignor James J. Meehan (pastor 1953–1969), the current Byzantine-inspired church with its iconic gold dome was built and dedicated on Pentecost Sunday, June 2, 1963. In 1968 Pope Paul VI elevated the parish to cathedral status when the Diocese of St. Petersburg was created.
- Founded December 12, 1950
- First Mass February 11, 1951 (75 people, in a garage)
- Current church dedicated June 2, 1963
- Elevated to cathedral 1968 for the new Diocese of St. Petersburg
- Major renovation completed September 2013
- 75th anniversary celebrated in 2025
Mass & Liturgy
The Cathedral celebrates Mass throughout the week in the main Cathedral and in Our Lady's Chapel. Weekend Masses include a Saturday Vigil and four Sunday Masses (8:00 am, 9:30 am, 11:30 am, and 6:00 pm), with the 8:00 am, 9:30 am, and 11:30 am Sunday Masses livestreamed. Two daily Masses are offered Monday through Friday — 8:15 am in Our Lady's Chapel and 11:00 am in the Cathedral — plus an 8:15 am Saturday Mass in the Cathedral. The Sunday 8:00 am Mass is also livestreamed, along with the daily 8:15 am Mass.
- Saturday Vigil: 4:00 pm
- Sunday: 8:00 am, 9:30 am, 11:30 am, 6:00 pm
- Weekday: 8:15 am (Our Lady's Chapel) and 11:00 am (Cathedral)
- Saturday: 8:15 am (Cathedral)
- Daily Morning Prayer livestreamed 7:45 am
Faith Formation & Education
Faith formation is offered at every stage of life. Adult Faith Formation, led by Charmaine Carter, supports parishioners through Bible study and small groups. Children's Faith Formation, under Louanne Gerdes, provides age-appropriate catechesis for the parish's youngest disciples. Youth Ministry, directed by Robbie Shafer, engages teens through discussion, retreats, service, and fellowship. The Cathedral School of St. Jude, founded in 1954 by Monsignor Meehan and serving PK–8, is integral to parish life; a new school complex was dedicated in January 2007.
- Adult Faith Formation
- Children's Faith Formation
- Youth Ministry
- Cathedral School of St. Jude (est. 1954; new building dedicated 2007)
Music & Liturgical Arts
The Music Ministry is led by Director Jo Mabini Greene and Joey Schultz, with a Liturgy Coordinator (Linda Wathen). Following the 1997 installation of a new pipe organ — funded by Fr. DeJulio's capital campaign — the cathedral grew to six choirs and instituted a series of Sunday afternoon concerts. Music continues to play a central role in both the renovated cathedral and the devotional liturgies of Our Lady's Chapel.
- Six cathedral choirs
- Pipe organ installed May 1997
- Sunday afternoon concert series
- Liturgy Coordinator
Clergy, Deacons & Staff
The cathedral is currently led by Very Reverend Thomas T. (Tom) Morgan, the tenth rector, appointed in July 2023 (he also serves as Pastor of the Cathedral School and Parochial Administrator of St. Joseph Parish, St. Petersburg). Reverend Andrew T. Burns serves as Parochial Vicar. Bishop Gregory L. Parkes, fifth Bishop of St. Petersburg, is the diocesan bishop whose cathedra is here. Three permanent deacons assist: Deacon John Carter, Deacon John Fox, and Deacon John Gerdes (Ministry to the Homebound). Lay staff include the Cathedral Manager Anne Koster, Facilities Manager Greg McMahon, Marriage Coordinator Carol Fox, and receptionists Terry Gruchacz and Emmeline Daniels.
- Rector: Very Rev. Thomas T. Morgan
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Andrew T. Burns
- Bishop Gregory L. Parkes (Diocesan Bishop)
- Deacons: John Carter, John Fox, John Gerdes
Outreach & Community Life
Beyond its liturgical role, the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle is a hub of community life for northwest St. Petersburg. The parish maintains a ministry to the homebound (coordinated by Deacon John Gerdes), marriage preparation (Carol Fox), and ongoing parish missions and retreats. As the mother church of the diocese, it hosts ordinations, episcopal installations, and major diocesan celebrations. The parish has historically sponsored pilgrimages, Jubilee events, and parish missions — including a Year 2000 Golden Gala tied to its 50th anniversary and a diocesan life pilgrimage to the Nombre de Dios Mission in St. Augustine.
- Ministry to the Homebound
- Marriage preparation
- Christ Renews His Parish weekends
- Hosts diocesan ordinations and installations
Visiting the Cathedral
The Cathedral is located at 5815 5th Avenue North in St. Petersburg, at the intersection of 5th Avenue North and 58th Street North — a location Archbishop Hurley described as a 'lighthouse of the Faith' visible to thousands of passing motorists. The renovated 2013 sanctuary, the gold dome, the stained-glass dome windows, the pipe organ, and Our Lady's Chapel are highlights for visitors. The parish office is open during business hours at (727) 347-9702, and livestream Masses are available for those unable to attend in person.
- Address: 5815 5th Ave North, St. Petersburg, FL 33710
- Phone: (727) 347-9702
- Email: [email protected]
- Livestream Masses available
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Paul Leo Manning1950–1953
Founding pastor; organized the parish and oversaw construction of the first church-auditorium and school.
- Monsignor James J. Meehan1953–1969
Built the current Byzantine-style church (dedicated 1963), the dome, and oversaw parish growth; retired June 4, 1969, died November 8, 1972.
- Monsignor John Scully1969–1972
Former pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Tampa; left in June 1972 for missionary work in Africa through the Propagation of the Faith.
- Father James Gloekler1972 onwards
Came from St. Mary Our Lady of Grace in downtown St. Petersburg; helped establish the cathedral's prominent diocesan status.
- Monsignor Caverlyto June 1996
Reassigned in June 1996 after 20 years as pastor.
- Reverend David DeJulioJune 1996–2004
Launched a year-long capital campaign for a new organ and rectory; oversaw installation of organ pipes in May 1997.
- Father Gregg TottleJuly 2004–2009
Launched Christ Renews His Parish weekends (Oct 2004); broke ground for new school complex in 2005, dedicated January 2007.
- Father Joseph WatersJuly 2009–2018
Oversaw the cathedral renovation (2008–2013); last Mass in original cathedral celebrated Pentecost 2012; renovated cathedral dedicated September 2013.
- Father Arthur ProulxJuly 2018–July 2023
Ninth rector; previously Vicar Forane of the Southern Deanery; transferred to Director of Ministry to Priests for the Diocese in July 2023.
- Very Reverend Thomas T. MorganJuly 2023–present
Tenth rector; also Pastor of the Cathedral School of St. Jude and Parochial Administrator of St. Joseph Parish, St. Petersburg.