About Epiphany · Lake City, Florida
Epiphany Catholic Church is a Latin-Rite Catholic parish in Lake City, Florida, belonging to the Diocese of St. Augustine. Located on a 19-acre campus on Epiphany Court in Columbia County, the parish serves as the spiritual home for Catholics across a wide swath of north-central Florida and operates the K-8 Epiphany Catholic School. The parish describes itself as a 'close-knit community of believers centered on the Eucharist, joyfully welcoming all newcomers,' and ministers in both English and Spanish, with a Sunday Spanish-language Mass each week. The parish traces its roots back to 1844 and today combines a 19th-century mission heritage with an active Catholic school, youth ministry, faith formation, and Eucharistic adoration.
- Established
- 1944 (as a parish; Catholic mission in Lake City dates to 1844/1865)
- Patron
- The Epiphany of the Lord
- Rector
- Rev. Robert (Bob) Hoffman
- Diocese
- Diocese of St. Augustine
Why belong here
Epiphany Catholic Church is a welcoming, Eucharist-centered parish with deep local roots dating to 1844 and a parish history stretching back to 1865. It offers something for every stage of Catholic life: a daily and weekend Mass schedule with a Spanish-language Mass each Sunday, frequent Eucharistic adoration, a robust religious education program (Faith Formation, RCIA, Bible studies, Children's CCD), and a thriving K-8 Catholic school serving six rural counties with bus service from Branford, Live Oak, and Macclenny. Whether you are a longtime local, a newcomer to Lake City, or a Spanish-speaking Catholic looking for a parish home, Epiphany invites you into a small but vibrant rural community where the Gospel is lived, taught, and shared across generations.
Mass times at Epiphany
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
- Sunday: 7:15 a.m. – 7:45 a.m.
- Sunday: 9:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
- Sunday: 12:00 p.m. – 12:20 p.m.
- Other times by appointment
Adoration times
- Tuesday: 8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament)
- Wednesday: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament)
Welcome & Mission
Epiphany Catholic Church presents itself as 'a close-knit community of believers centered on the Eucharist, joyfully welcoming all newcomers, treasuring our Catholic faith as handed down over the last two millennia, embracing our call to holiness, and living out our mission to Go, therefore, and make disciples.' The parish reaches out through FlockNotes (text 'ecclent2018' to 84576) for immediate parish news, Mass updates, and alerts.
Parish History
Catholic life in Lake City stretches back to 1844, when Bishop Augustin Verot — later the first Bishop of St. Augustine — arrived in Lake City and celebrated Mass at City Hall on June 12, 1864. Father Joseph Hugon built the first Catholic church, a small wooden structure on the corner of Columbia and Orange Streets, in 1865. The Lake City Mission was designated a parish in 1944 under Father Michael Kelly, who also established a chaplaincy at the local V.A. Hospital. The Diocese purchased the present property in 1955, the school opened in 1959 under Father Patrick Malone with the Irish Sisters of Mercy, and the provisional church was completed in 1966 under Father William Kelly. The current church was dedicated on January 7, 1996 by Bishop John J. Snyder, and the parish celebrated its 75th Jubilee in 2019-2020.
- 1844 — Bishop Augustin Verot arrives in Lake City
- June 12, 1864 — First Bishop's Mass at Lake City City Hall
- 1865 — Father Joseph Hugon builds first church (Columbia & Orange Streets)
- 1944 — Lake City Mission becomes a designated parish; Father Michael Kelly serves as first V.A. Hospital chaplain
- 1955 — Diocese purchases present property
- 1959 — Epiphany Catholic School opens under Father Patrick Malone with the Irish Sisters of Mercy
- 1966 — Provisional church completed under Father William Kelly; first Liturgy on Christmas Eve
- 1979–1999 — Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine teach at the school
- January 7, 1996 — Current church dedicated by Bishop John J. Snyder
- 2019–2020 — 75th Jubilee celebrated
- January 11, 2024 — Father Bob Hoffman consecrates the school to the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary
Pastor & Support Staff
The parish is led by Rev. Robert (Bob) Hoffman, Pastor, and Fr. Diego Vasquez, Parochial Vicar. Sherri Ortega serves as Business Manager. Kim Goodman is the Administrator of Religious Education and Youth Director. Rita Klenk is the Principal of Epiphany Catholic School. For Religious Education inquiries, Susi Pittman can be reached at [email protected] or (386) 697-7312.
- Rev. Robert (Bob) Hoffman — Pastor
- Fr. Diego Vasquez — Parochial Vicar
- Sherri Ortega — Business Manager
- Kim Goodman — Administrator of Religious Education and Youth Director
- Rita Klenk — School Principal
- Susi Pittman — Religious Education contact
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious Education at Epiphany encompasses Faith Formation, Bible Studies, the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults & Children (RCIA/RCIC), and Children's Religious Education (CCD). The parish uses the Sadlier Publishing 'We Believe' series, which emphasizes Catholic identity rooted in the Eucharist. All sacrament classes are 2-year programs per the Diocese of St. Augustine: First Holy Communion preparation begins in 1st grade, and Confirmation preparation begins in 7th grade (including a Saturday retreat). For Epiphany Catholic School students, remote sacramental preparation is integrated into the school day, with eight hours of immediate preparation done by parish catechists from 3–4 p.m. on eight scheduled school days.
- Faith Formation for children and youth
- Adult and Children's RCIA / RCIC
- Bible Studies
- Children's CCD / PREP (Grades 1–8)
- First Holy Communion (2-year prep, begins 1st grade)
- Confirmation (2-year prep, begins 7th grade, includes Saturday retreat)
Youth Ministry
Epiphany runs a Youth Ministry program for parish teenagers, coordinated by Kim Goodman, Administrator of Religious Education and Youth Director. The parish encourages families to register PREP students for the current year at the Welcome Desk after weekend Masses.
Epiphany Catholic School
Epiphany Catholic School, founded in 1959 by the Irish Sisters of Mercy, is a parish-affiliated K-8 school on a 19-acre private campus at 1937 SW Epiphany Ct, Lake City, FL 32025. The school is the western rural frontier of Catholic education in the Diocese of St. Augustine, serving families from six counties — Suwannee, Lafayette, Baker, Union, Columbia, and Gilchrist. Transportation is provided from Branford (San Juan Mission), Live Oak (St. Francis Xavier Parish), and Macclenny, and buses also carry graduates onward to St. Francis Catholic Academy in Gainesville for high school. The school maintains a small, nurturing community with rigorous academics, small class sizes, and a Christ-centered environment. Programs include a STREAM lab (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics), a Suzuki violin program led by professional musician Kelsey LaCour, a school choir, organ lessons, co-ed soccer, and archery. Catholic identity is woven throughout: students attend First Friday Mass and Sacred Heart devotion, have access to the sacrament of reconciliation throughout the school day, and reflect at an outdoor bronze Stations of the Cross, a Marian grotto, and a St. Francis of Assisi statue. Carmelite Sisters teach religious education and assist in classrooms.
- Founded 1959 by the Irish Sisters of Mercy
- K-8, 19-acre private campus, small class sizes
- STREAM lab (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics)
- Suzuki violin program (Kelsey LaCour), school choir, organ lessons (Joe Antonacci)
- Co-ed soccer and archery
- Carmelite Sisters teach religious education
- Rural Education Initiative — bus transportation from Branford, Live Oak, Macclenny
- On January 11, 2024 the school was consecrated to the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary by Father Bob Hoffman
- Principal: Rita Klenk; phone (386) 752-2320; website ecslc.org
Sacraments
Epiphany prepares and celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments through its parish office and religious education program. Sacramental preparation follows the Diocese of St. Augustine's 2-year format, and the parish welcomes inquiries about Baptism, Marriage, Anointing of the Sick, and the Rite of Christian Initiation for adults and children. For urgent need of a priest (Anointing, emergency), the parish provides a dedicated line at (386) 288-5143.
- Baptism — through parish office
- First Holy Communion (begins 1st grade, 2-year prep)
- Confirmation (begins 7th grade, 2-year prep, includes Saturday retreat)
- Reconciliation — Sat & Sun before Mass, plus by appointment
- Marriage — contact parish office
- Anointing of the Sick — emergency line (386) 288-5143
- RCIA / RCIC for adults and children
Contact, Office Hours & Getting Involved
Parish office hours are Monday–Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., with the office closed from 1:00–2:00 p.m. for lunch. For an urgent need of a priest, parishioners can call (386) 752-4470, option 1, or use the priest emergency line (386) 288-5143. The parish communicates through FlockNotes (text 'ecclent2018' to 84576), online bulletins, and Facebook. Online Giving is available through the parish website, and newcomers are invited to register at the Welcome Desk after weekend Masses.
- Parish phone: (386) 752-4470
- Priest emergency: (386) 288-5143
- Fax: (386) 752-4652
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (closed 1–2 p.m.)
- FlockNotes — text ecclent2018 to 84576
- Online Giving via epiphanycatholiclc.com
- Newcomer registration at the Welcome Desk after weekend Masses
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Bishop Augustin Verot (first Bishop to celebrate Mass in Lake City)1844 / June 12, 1864
Celebrated Mass at City Hall while crossing Union Army lines during the Civil War.
- Father Joseph Hugon1865
Built the first Catholic church in Lake City, a small wooden structure on the corner of Columbia and Orange Streets; served the Mission of Lake City.
- Father Michael Kelly1944
Led the Mission of Lake City as it became a designated parish; established the parish's presence at the local V.A. Hospital and served as its first Catholic Chaplain.
- Father Patrick Malonelate 1950s
Directed the construction of Epiphany Catholic School beginning in 1959.
- Father William Kelly1966
Oversaw completion of the provisional church; first Liturgy celebrated on Christmas Eve 1966.
- Rev. Robert (Bob) Hoffmancurrent pastor
Current pastor; consecrated the school to the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary on January 11, 2024.