About Naval Station Mayport (Holy Family by the Sea) · Jacksonville, Florida
Holy Family by the Sea is the Roman Catholic chapel serving Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida. Established in 1942, it sits on Massey Avenue inside the naval base and is part of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, while also falling geographically within the Diocese of St. Augustine. The parish offers daily Mass Monday through Friday and a Sunday Mass for service members, their families, retirees, and base civilian employees.
- Established
- 1942
- Patron
- Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph)
- Rector
- Rev. Darius Sleszynski
- Diocese
- Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (geographically within the Diocese of St. Augustine)
Why belong here
Holy Family by the Sea is a welcoming Catholic community at the heart of Naval Station Mayport, offering daily Mass and a Sunday Mass for service members, families, retirees, and base staff. The chapel provides religious education classes, a Catholic Youth Group, marriage and baptism prep, and counseling through the chapel's chaplains, making it a true spiritual home for the Mayport Navy community.
Mass times at Naval Station Mayport (Holy Family by the Sea)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By request (Confessions upon request — contact the chapel office at 904-270-5212)
About Holy Family by the Sea
Holy Family by the Sea is the Roman Catholic chapel serving Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida. Founded in 1942 during the early days of the base's wartime expansion, the chapel ministers to Navy service members, their families, retired personnel, and base civilian employees. It is named for the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, the traditional model for Christian family life. Administratively the chapel is part of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, while being located within the territorial Diocese of St. Augustine.
History
The chapel was established in 1942, the same year Naval Station Mayport grew into a major East Coast naval installation during World War II. Listed in the Diocese of St. Augustine directory as 'Holy Family by the Sea (Est. 1942)' under the military chapels section, the chapel has provided Catholic worship and pastoral care to sailors and their families for more than 80 years. As a military chapel it is staffed by contract priests and supported by the Archdiocese for the Military Services.
Pastoral Staff & Parish Office
The Catholic community at Mayport is shepherded by a contract priest serving the base chaplain's office, supported by a parish secretary and a Coordinator of Religious Education. After-hours sacramental emergencies are handled by the duty chaplain via the base quarterdeck.
- Pastoral Priest (Contract): Rev. Darius Sleszynski — [email protected]
- Secretary: Karen A. Downey — [email protected]
- Coordinator of Religious Education: Alline Zwarycz — [email protected]
- Chapel Office Phone: (904) 270-5212; Fax: (904) 270-7185
- After-hours duty chaplain: NS Mayport Quarterdeck 904-270-5401
- Mailing Address: Department of the Navy, Commanding Officer — NAVSTA Chapel, P.O. Box 280054, Jacksonville, FL 32228-0054
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious education for the Catholic community is offered on Sundays during the school year, in coordination with the Chapel's Coordinator of Religious Education. Preparation for First Communion, Confirmation, and other sacraments is arranged through the chapel office with the priest.
- Roman Catholic Religious Education classes — Sundays at 10:15 a.m.
- First Communion and Confirmation preparation available
- Coordinator of Religious Education: Alline Zwarycz ([email protected])
Parish Ministries & Family Programs
The Mayport Chapel complex hosts a range of programs for the wider base community. Several of these — including MOPS, the youth group, and the men's prayer breakfast — are open to Catholic families living on or near the base, while others (such as Vacation Bible School and Community Service Projects) are ecumenical and interfaith.
- Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) — 1st and 3rd Tuesday mornings at 9:30 a.m.
- Catholic Youth Group — 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
- Men's Prayer Breakfast — 1st Saturday of each month at 9:00 a.m.
- Marriage Enrichment Retreats
- Youth Group Retreats
- Community Service Projects
- Vacation Bible School
Sacraments & Pastoral Care
Sacramental preparation and pastoral care are coordinated through the Chapel Office. Weddings are available to active duty, reserve, and retired personnel. Chaplains provide religious, personal, and family counseling in addition to officiating at baptisms, weddings, and funerals.
- Baptisms — arranged with the Catholic chaplain individually
- Weddings — for active duty, reserve, or retired personnel; arranged with the Catholic chaplain
- Funerals and Memorial Services
- Religious, personal, and family counseling with chaplains
- Pre-Deployment Briefs and Family Support Group Meetings
- Retirement Ceremonies held in the chapel
Chapel Facilities & Annual Events
The base chapel complex sits in Building 350 on Massey Avenue and includes a 400-seat main sanctuary, multipurpose classrooms, religious education spaces, a small kitchen, and a fellowship hall. The complex hosts worship, formation, fellowship, and command special events throughout the year.
- Main chapel seats 400
- Multipurpose classrooms and religious education spaces
- Small kitchen and fellowship hall
- Reservable for command and special events through Religious Ministries at 904-270-5212
- Christmas and Easter Holy Week Services
- Easter Sunrise Service and Breakfast
- Chapel Choir Christmas and Easter Programs
Visit & Contact
The chapel is located on Naval Station Mayport; visitors must have base access. Office hours for the Chaplain's Office are Monday 0730–1600, with services held Tuesday through Friday and Sunday as listed. The Catholic chaplain can be reached for appointments, sacraments, and pastoral needs through the chapel office number.
- Phone: (904) 270-5212
- Fax: (904) 270-7185
- Address: 350 Massey Avenue, Mayport Naval Station, Jacksonville, FL 32228
- Mailing: P.O. Box 280054, Jacksonville, FL 32228-0054
- Facebook: Mayport Chapel
- Website (Diocese of St. Augustine listing): https://dosafl.com/parish/holy-family-by-the-sea/