About Catholic Church of Epiphany · Port Orange, Florida
The Catholic Church of the Epiphany is a Roman Catholic parish in Port Orange, Florida, part of the Diocese of Orlando. For over 60 years the parish has served the Port Orange community, growing from a mission church that celebrated its first Mass in 1960 on a collapsible picnic table in the Palmetto Women's Club, to a thriving parish with daily Mass, perpetual adoration, faith formation for all ages, a thrift store and a food pantry. The current church building was dedicated in 1999, and Fr. Karl N. Bergin currently serves as pastor, assisted by Fr. Raymond Collins, CSsR and two deacons.
- Established
- 1960
- Patron
- The Epiphany of the Lord
- Rector
- Fr. Karl N. Bergin
- Diocese
- Diocese of Orlando
Why belong here
Epiphany is a large, active parish that offers the full rhythm of Catholic life — daily and Sunday Mass, perpetual Eucharistic adoration, weekly confessions, OCIA for adults becoming Catholic, Alpha for seekers, family faith formation, and middle- and high-school youth ministry. The parish runs a food pantry (Fr. Smith Hall) and the Epiphany Thrift Store on Ridgewood Avenue, and its GrowthPath discipleship pathway moves newcomers from a first welcome into small-group life, formation, and ministry. With decades-deep roots in Port Orange and a current pastor and staff committed to building up the next generation, it is a parish where newcomers can easily find a place to belong.
Mass times at Catholic Church of Epiphany
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (in the Reconciliation Room, near the Msgr. Sheedy Memorial Library)
- Monday–Saturday: by request after the 8:30 AM Daily Mass
- By appointment (call the parish office)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel — open 24 hours / 7 days a week
About the Catholic Church of the Epiphany
The Catholic Church of the Epiphany has served Port Orange, Florida, for more than 60 years. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Orlando and is led today by Fr. Karl N. Bergin, with Fr. Raymond Collins, CSsR assisting, and two permanent deacons, Mike Rosolino and Joe Bellissimo. The parish mission statement — formed through the GrowthPath discipleship process — reads: "Guided by the Holy Spirit, we will build a vibrant faith community, inspiring all to grow and live as active disciples who love, witness, worship and serve." The parish offices sit at 201 Lafayette Street in Port Orange, and the current church building was dedicated in 1999.
- Diocese of Orlando
- Founded 1960
- Current church dedicated 1999
- Mailing address: 201 Lafayette St., Port Orange, FL 32127
Parish History
Epiphany began in February 1960 as a mission church of St. Paul's in Daytona Beach under the Diocese of St. Augustine, with Msgr. William Mullally celebrating the first Mass in the Palmetto Women's Club and Library. Fr. David Page, the first pastor, picked the name "Epiphany" for a church just beginning. Ground was broken October 11, 1962, for a modest prefabricated church/social hall (built by Greening & Sayers), and Archbishop Joseph P. Hurley formally dedicated it on March 15, 1964. The original church was later replaced by today's building, dedicated in 1999, after Fr. Charlie Mitchell initiated a building committee in 1993 to accommodate the parish's growth — Port Orange had ballooned from a few thousand to 40,000 residents.
- Feb. 1960 – First Mass celebrated by Msgr. William Mullally
- Oct. 11, 1962 – Ground broken for first church/social hall
- Dec. 22, 1963 – First Mass in the new church
- March 15, 1964 – Church dedicated by Archbishop Hurley
- Jan. 5, 1986 – Bishop Thomas Grady rededicated renovated, expanded church
- 1989 – Fr. Frank Smith transferred; Fr. Charlie Mitchell becomes pastor
- 1993 – Building committee formed for a new church
- 1999 – Current church dedicated
Art, Architecture & Sacred Furnishings
Epiphany's worship spaces have always featured notable commissioned art. The original 1964 church held an Epiphany window by the Conrad Pickel Studio depicting the Magi seeing the infant Jesus, and lindenwood statues of Mary, Joseph, and a crucifix carved by the Pante Studios in Ortisei, Italy — intentionally depicting the Holy Family not as distant figures but as a mother teaching her child with a broom and a hard-working carpenter. Golden "Ark of the Covenant" cherubim flanked the wooden altar. The 1984 renovation added 20-foot-tall faceted glass Epiphany windows by White Studios of Sarasota (the Magi on the west, the Holy Family on the east), a new altar, tabernacle, ambo, parquet floors, and a chapel that doubled as a crying room.
- Conrad Pickel Studio – original Epiphany window (1964)
- Pante Studios, Ortisei, Italy – lindenwood statues of Mary, Joseph, Crucifix
- White Studios, Sarasota – 20-ft faceted Epiphany windows (1986)
- Cherubim from the first church are now installed flanking the tabernacle in the chapel
Epiphany Manor
In 1986, Fr. Frank Smith — then pastor of Epiphany — approached the city of Port Orange about building affordable housing for low-income seniors, inspired by a similar project in Winter Haven. Epiphany Manor opened in 1989 with 20 studio apartments and 52 one-bedroom units, and remains a tangible sign of the parish's mission of service beyond its walls.
- 20 studio apartments
- 52 one-bedroom units
- Opened 1989
- Inspired by Fr. Frank Smith
Devotions & Other Services
Beyond Mass and confession, Epiphany keeps a steady rhythm of traditional Catholic devotions woven into the daily schedule.
- Miraculous Medal Novena – Mondays after the 8:30 AM Mass
- Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus – First Fridays after the 8:30 AM Mass
- First Saturday Devotions – 7:30 AM, First Saturday of the month, in the church
- Liturgy of the Hours: Morning Prayer – before 8:30 AM Mass, Mon–Sat
- Recitation of the Rosary – after 8:30 AM Daily Mass Mon–Sat and after 8:00 AM Sunday Mass, in the Rosary Room of the Chapel
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry
Epiphany runs a full family-based faith formation program for children in sacramental preparation (K–8), as well as separate middle-school and high-school youth ministries, both coordinated by Pastoral Associate Jessica Smith. The middle school group meets Sundays at 11:15 AM (after the 10 AM Mass) and the high school group meets Sundays at 3:00 PM, both at Parish House #5, the St. John Bosco Youth House.
- Family Faith Formation (sacramental prep, K–8)
- Middle School Youth Ministry – Sun 11:15 AM, St. John Bosco Youth House
- High School Youth Ministry – Sun 3:00 PM, St. John Bosco Youth House
- Contact: Jessica Smith, [email protected], 386-767-6111
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
Epiphany runs its adult initiation process under the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), branded as "Vantage Point." The four-step process — Inquiry, Catechumenate, Purification & Enlightenment (Lent), and Mystagogy (Easter Vigil through Pentecost) — welcomes unbaptized adults, already-baptized Christians from other traditions seeking full communion, and baptized Catholics who have not yet received First Communion and Confirmation. Vantage Point is described as a small community where seekers explore the Catholic faith in a casual, non-judgmental environment with opportunities for questions and fellowship.
- Step 1 – Inquiry
- Step 2 – Catechumenate
- Step 3 – Purification & Enlightenment (Lent)
- Step 4 – Mystagogy (Easter Vigil through Pentecost)
- Rite of Election typically held First Sunday of Lent with the Bishop of Orlando
Alpha & GrowthPath
For people exploring Christianity or returning to faith, Epiphany offers Alpha — a series of interactive, informal sessions over several weeks that explore the basics of the Christian faith and provide an easy entry point into parish community. Alpha is one of three "on-ramps" into the parish's GrowthPath discipleship pathway, which begins with "Welcome," moves through Alpha and Vantage Point (OCIA), and ultimately flows into Life Groups, Adult Faith Formation, Prayer & Spirituality groups, and Care & Support ministries.
- Alpha
- Welcome
- Vantage Point (OCIA)
- Life Groups & Ministries
- Adult Faith Formation Series
- Prayer & Spirituality Groups
- Care & Support Ministries
Outreach: Food Pantry & Thrift Store
Epiphany operates two significant works of outreach to the wider Port Orange community. The Epiphany Food Pantry is housed inside Fr. Smith Hall — the parish's original church building — and is open Mondays and Fridays from 1:00 to 3:00 PM (386-788-4120). The Epiphany Thrift Store, located at 5120 S. Ridgewood Ave., Port Orange, is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM–4 PM (closed Sun & Mon), and offers affordable clothing and household goods (386-756-0300; www.epiphanythriftstore.com). Both are staffed in significant part by parish volunteers.
- Epiphany Food Pantry – Fr. Smith Hall, Mon & Fri 1–3 PM, 386-788-4120
- Epiphany Thrift Store – 5120 S. Ridgewood Ave., Tue–Sat 10 AM–4 PM, 386-756-0300
- Thrift Store Manager: Stewart Marlowe, [email protected]
Parish Staff
Epiphany is served by a full staff of clergy, deacons, and lay leaders across liturgy, music, formation, finance, facilities, and outreach.
- Fr. Karl N. Bergin – Pastor ([email protected])
- Fr. Raymond Collins, CSsR – Assisting Priest
- Deacon Mike Rosolino ([email protected])
- Deacon Joe Bellissimo ([email protected])
- Jessica Smith – Pastoral Associate, Family Formation / Youth Ministry ([email protected])
- Theresa Smith – Finance Manager ([email protected])
- Jane Parker – Liturgy ([email protected])
- Sara Booth – Director of Music ([email protected])
- Dominick Tramontana – Facilities & Maintenance Manager
- Daniel Knight – Facilities & Maintenance
- Vivian Rodriguez – Facilities & Maintenance
- Lucy Block – Receptionist ([email protected])
- Stewart Marlowe – Epiphany Thrift Store Manager ([email protected])
Capital Campaign: Preserving the Campus
Epiphany is running a capital campaign with a goal of $2.6 million and a stretch goal of $3.1 million, focused on preserving and upgrading the parish campus for future generations. The campaign honors the parish's history by renovating Fr. Smith Hall — the original 1960s church building — into a more functional, multi-purpose space with new windows and doors, expanded kitchen, updated bathrooms and technology, and a handicap-accessible ramp. It also plans to update the existing administration/church office building (reconfigured entrance and office space) and add way-making signage throughout the campus to better welcome visitors.
- Goal: $2.6 million; Stretch goal: $3.1 million
- Fr. Smith Hall renovation (new windows, doors, kitchen, bathrooms, technology, ramp)
- Administration / Church Office renovation
- Way-making signage around campus
- All gifts are tax-deductible through Epiphany's 501(c)(3) status
Visiting Epiphany
Epiphany is located in central Port Orange, about 0.6 mile south of US 1 just off the Dunlawton Bridge. From the beachside, cross the bridge westbound and turn left at US 1; from I-95, take Exit 256 east toward the ocean and turn right on US 1 just before the bridge. In both cases, turn right on White Place and left on Lafayette Street. The parish office is open during regular hours at 201 Lafayette St., and the phone is answered at (386) 767-6111.
- Address: 201 Lafayette St., Port Orange, FL 32127
- Phone: 386-767-6111
- Fax: 386-767-0017
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.ccepiphany.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/EpiphanyCatholic
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. David Page1960–1969 (approx.)
First pastor; chose the name 'Epiphany' for the new mission church; went door-to-door inviting families; celebrated the first Mass in the new church Dec. 22, 1963.
- Fr. O'Farrell1969–1981 (approx.)
Second pastor; served about 12 years before retiring due to ill health in September 1981.
- Fr. Frank Smith1981–1989
Launched the 1984 building campaign that added the west wing, chapel, 500-seat hall and the 20-ft Epiphany windows; spearheaded Epiphany Manor affordable housing for seniors; the original church/social hall is now named Fr. Smith Hall in his honor.
- Fr. Charlie Mitchell1989–1994
Returned to Epiphany as pastor (he had earlier served as an associate); initiated the 1993 building committee that led to the current 1999 church.
- Fr. Karl N. Berginpresent
Current pastor.