About Nativity Catholic Church · Longwood, Florida
Nativity Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Orlando located in Longwood, Florida, in the greater Seminole County / Lake Mary area north of Orlando. Founded in 1961 as the Church of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, it grew from a small mission gathering Catholics in the Lake Mary community center into a thriving multi-generational parish. The community describes itself as 'a welcoming family of believers empowered by Baptism, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and nurtured by the gift of the Eucharist,' active in faith formation, sacramental life, small groups, and outreach to the poor and vulnerable through local ministries and Catholic-partner charities. The parish was completely renovated in 2025-2026 under the leadership of Father David Scotchie, with Bishop John Noonan blessing the new sanctuary on May 30, 2026.
- Established
- 1961
- Patron
- The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
- Rector
- Father David Scotchie
- Diocese
- Diocese of Orlando
Why belong here
Nativity is a multi-generational Catholic community in the heart of Seminole County that pairs a rich 60-plus year history with vibrant present-day life — daily and weekend Mass in English (with a Spanish Mass added on the second Saturday each month starting September 2026), Eucharistic adoration, small-group faith sharing through Lenten Life Groups, faith formation for children, youth ministry for grades 9-12, the OCIA (RCIA) process for adults, and an Advocacy and Social Justice Ministry that raised roughly $25,000 to buy hospital beds for Pathways to Care. Newcomers and longtime parishioners alike are drawn into fellowship, formation, and service rooted in the Eucharist and the parish's enduring identity as 'a welcoming family of believers.'
Mass times at Nativity Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
- Also available by appointment (call the parish office)
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration: Monday-Friday after the 8:30 AM Daily Mass in the chapel until approximately 9:15 AM (per ministry directory)
- Friday 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
- Nocturnal Adoration: Thursday before the 1st Friday of the month, 8:00 PM to 7:30 AM in the chapel
Parish History & Heritage
Nativity was canonically erected on February 28, 1961, with Sunday Mass already being celebrated at the Lake Mary community center since October 23, 1960. The parish grew rapidly — from the July 29, 1962 first Mass in the new (unfinished) church, to a permanent sanctuary dedicated in 1984, an expansion re-dedicated on Palm Sunday 1996, and a sweeping 2025-2026 renovation blessed by Bishop John Noonan on May 30, 2026. A succession of pastors — beginning with founding pastor Father William Trainor and including longtime shepherd Father William Neidert (1968-1976), Father Seibert (whose tenure saw the 1986 mortgage burning), Father Kuhns (who broke ground in 1983), Father Ken Schnipke, C.Pp.S (1995 expansion), Father Tom Barrett (from 2008), and the current Father David Scotchie — has shaped a community that still proudly identifies as 'the little church in the woods.'
- Founded 1961 as the Church of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
- Territory formed from St. Mary Magdalen and All Souls parishes in Sanford
- Original dedication date deliberately coincided with Vatican II opening
- Precious Blood (C.PP.S) fathers administered the parish 1967 – early 2000s
- Mortgages paid in full — 1986 (original) and 1996 (expansion)
Sanctuary, Architecture & 2025–2026 Renovation
The current church was built in 1984, expanded in 1996, and comprehensively renovated in 2025 — with the first Masses in the renovated space celebrated the weekend of May 9-10, 2026. The work, designed with Plunkett Raysich Architects of Sarasota and built by Certified General Contractors of Melbourne, was funded entirely by a parish capital campaign. A central goal of the team, led by parishioner Ken Yontz and pastor Father David Scotchie, was to maintain the 'little church in the woods' warmth while updating every worn element.
- New organ and new sound system
- New stained-glass windows: shepherds to the left of the altar, Magi to the right, Holy Family in the center
- Suspended Crucifix above the altar with natural lighting
- Expanded open narthex-gallery running from the main doors to the chapel
- ADA-compliant restrooms and accessibility upgrades
- Refinished woodwork, new carpet, and tile replacement throughout
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation for children in grades K-8 and sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation are core offerings, with preparation typically coordinated through the parish office. Youth in grades 9-12 gather for Youth Ministry on Sunday evenings from 5:00 to 6:15 PM in the Parish Commons.
- Religious Education K-8
- First Communion and Confirmation preparation
- Youth Ministry (grades 9-12)
- Vacation Bible School
OCIA & Adult Faith Formation
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (formerly RCIA) meets in the parish classroom to walk unbaptized adults and those seeking full initiation into the Catholic Church through the sacraments of initiation.
- OCIA / RCIA program
- Life Groups (Lenten small-group faith sharing)
Lenten Life Groups
Each Lent Nativity's Life Groups offer five-week small-group faith sharing experiences of 60-90 minutes each, both on-campus and in parishioners' homes, using a daily reflection book and weekly gathering.
- Tuesday Mornings (Coffee Clutch), Tuesday Evenings, Tuesday Men's Group with Fr. David
- Wednesday Mornings after 8:30 Mass, Wednesday Evenings
- Thursday Evenings
- Monday Evenings Liturgical Ministers Group
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners serve at the altar and the ambo throughout the week, supported by a choir and youth choir. Music, lectors, altar servers, sacristans, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and ushers all serve the parish liturgy.
- Music Ministry
- Youth Choir (ages 9-18)
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Ministers of the Word (Lectors)
- Altar Servers
- Sacristans and Altar Care
- Ministers of Hospitality (Ushers)
Parish Life & Fellowship
Faith at Nativity extends well beyond Sunday morning — through men's, women's, couples', moms', and parents' groups that meet in the Parish Commons, the Youth Center, parishioners' homes, and the rectory, alongside weekly coffee-and-donuts socials after Sunday Mass.
- Men of Nativity (first Thursday, 6:00-8:30 PM)
- Women of Nativity (monthly on Marian holy days)
- Couples Ministry (first Sunday, 12:00-1:30 PM)
- MomCo Nativity (select Wednesdays, Sep-May)
- Parents in Prayer
- Coffee & Donuts Social after Sunday Masses
Outreach, Charity & Social Justice
Nativity Samaritan outreach provides meals, transportation, prayer, and Communion visits to the homebound, and the parish Advocacy and Social Justice Ministry tithes a portion of the offertory each year to Catholic community partners. Lenten almsgiving focuses further fuel this mission.
- Nativity Samaritans — meals, transportation, home visits, hospital ministry
- Advocacy and Social Justice Ministry (partners with Pathways to Care and others)
- Culture of Life Ministry
- Mental Health Ministry
- Marriage & Family Life / Natural Family Planning accompaniment
- 'Arise' / 'Springs in the Desert' infertility support ministry (one of two US pilot programs)
Devotions & Sacramentals
The chapel is the heart of Nativity's devotional life, with daily Mass, Eucharistic adoration, rosary, and the parish's own Perpetual Help Novena anchoring the week. Nocturnal Adoration once a month draws an even deeper commitment of prayer.
- Exposition and Benediction after daily Mass
- Rosary after weekday Mass
- Our Mother of Perpetual Help Novena after Tuesday Mass
- Nocturnal Adoration (Thursday before first Friday)
- First Friday and First Saturday associations
- Holy Hour opportunities
Visit, Register & Contact
Parishioners and visitors can find contact details, the parish registration form (PDF), and live-stream links at nativity.org. Office hours are Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM-3:00 PM and Friday by appointment.
- Address: 3255 N. Ronald Reagan Blvd, Longwood, FL 32750
- Phone: (407) 322-3961; Fax: (407) 322-3981
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.nativity.org
- Live-stream: https://nativity.org/livestream
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father William Trainor1961-1964
Founding pastor; born in Brooklyn, ordained in Ireland for the Diocese of St. Augustine; previously assistant at St. James in Orlando. Chose October 11, 1962 dedication to coincide with Vatican II opening.
- Multiple short-term priests1964-1967
Period of rapid turnover averaging about one priest per year.
- Father Cyril Kennedy, C.PP.S1967-1968
First Precious Blood pastor; organized the parish's first Parish Council.
- Father William Neidert1968-1976
First long-term pastor; credited with shaping the enduring spirit of Nativity; remained in residence for several years after his tenure.
- Father James Seibert, C.Pp.Searly-mid 1980s
Led drive to pay off the original church; mortgage burned on Pentecost Sunday, May 18, 1986.
- Father Kuhnsc. 1983
Led groundbreaking for the larger current church in 1983.
- Father Ben (Precious Blood)
Mentioned in parish history for retreats/spiritual renewal and academic background of adult education focus.
- Father Ken Schnipke, C.Pp.S1995-?
Oversaw the 1996 $1.2 million expansion and re-dedication on April 14, 1996, completed without borrowing.
- Father Tom Barrett2008-
From Rhode Island; ordained for Diocese of Orlando on Nov. 26, 1988; former parochial vicar at Our Lady of Hope, Ascension, and Annunciation; former pastor of Bishop Moore High School (12 years) and St. Charles, Orlando; led Nativity into 'Alive in Christ' campaign; held diocesan roles of Director of Vocations, Director of Cemeteries, and Master-of-Ceremonies to the Bishop.
- Father David Scotchie2022-present
Current pastor; initiated 2022 conversation on needed renovations that became the 2025-2026 renovation project.