About Saint Paul · Douglas, Georgia
Saint Paul Catholic Church is a bilingual and multicultural Roman Catholic parish located on U.S. Highway 441 South in Douglas, Georgia, in Coffee County. It belongs to the Diocese of Savannah (Deanery: Valdosta-Brunswick) and serves as the mother parish for the surrounding South Georgia region, with missions historically including Holy Family in Willacoochee and St. William in Fitzgerald. The parish describes itself as 'a bilingual and multicultural faith community rooted in the love of Christ and the teachings of the Catholic Church,' proclaiming the Gospel through Word, Sacrament, and service, with worship celebrated in both English and Spanish.
- Established
- 1938
- Patron
- Saint Paul the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Saimel Perdomo (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah (Deanery: Valdosta-Brunswick)
Why belong here
Saint Paul is a bilingual and multicultural Catholic family that welcomes newcomers with open arms. The parish offers Sunday Mass in both English (9:30 AM) and Spanish (12:00 PM), along with weekday Masses, Adoration, and Confession several times a week. Lifelong faith formation is provided for children (K–12 religious education), adults (Bible study), and those seeking to enter the Church (OCIA/RCIA), making it a true community hub for Catholics across Coffee County and surrounding South Georgia.
Mass times at Saint Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (St. Paul)
- Friday: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM (St. Paul)
- Saturday: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (St. Paul)
- Sunday: prior to Mass at Holy Family, Willacoochee
Adoration times
- Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (before noon Mass)
- Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (before noon Mass)
- Thursday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (before noon Mass)
- First Friday Adoration and 6:00 PM Mass
About St. Paul Catholic Church & Missions
St. Paul Catholic Church in Douglas, Georgia, is a bilingual and multicultural faith community belonging to the Diocese of Savannah. The parish serves as the center of Catholic life in Coffee County and historically extended its reach through missions in Willacoochee (Holy Family) and Fitzgerald (St. William). Its mission statement commits the parish to welcoming all people, fostering spiritual growth, and building unity through worship, education, outreach, and compassionate care.
- Bilingual and multicultural Roman Catholic parish
- Part of the Diocese of Savannah, Valdosta-Brunswick Deanery
- Mother parish with associated missions
Parish History
Catholic presence in Douglas dates back at least to 1899, when a Mrs. Creel's baby was baptized — the earliest known Catholic baptism in Coffee County. In the early 1900s, Syrian Catholic families (including the Hannas) settled in Douglas, and Mass began to be celebrated twice a month. The parish as we know it was born in 1936, when Bishop Gerald P. O'Hara was welcomed to town, purchased land for $1,000, broke ground on March 6, 1936, and dedicated the new church on July 17, 1938, with Fr. John Mullins as the first pastor.
- Earliest Catholic presence in Coffee County: 1899 (Mrs. Creel's baptism)
- Bishop Gerald P. O'Hara visited Douglas in July 1936
- Land purchased by the bishop for $1,000
- Groundbreaking: March 6, 1936
- Dedication: Sunday, July 17, 1938
- First pastor: Rev. John Mullins; first assistant: Rev. Daniel J. Bourke
Missions and Service Area
Saint Paul historically served a large portion of South Georgia through two missions. Holy Family Church in Willacoochee (Atkinson County) remains a mission of St. Paul, with Sunday Mass at 8:00 AM. St. William in Fitzgerald (Ben Hill County) was a mission of St. Paul for many years but was reassigned in 2024 to become a mission of Our Divine Saviour in Tifton. Together these worship sites brought Mass and the sacraments to rural South Georgia communities.
- Holy Family, Willacoochee (126 Holy Family Church Rd, Willacoochee GA 31642) – Sunday 8:00 AM
- St. William, Fitzgerald (715 S Merrimac Dr, Fitzgerald GA 31750) – formerly a mission; reassigned in 2024 to Our Divine Saviour, Tifton
Clergy and Staff
Saint Paul is currently led by a Parochial Administrator and is supported by two permanent deacons, a pastoral assistant, and a church secretary. The parish office is open Monday through Thursday, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM, and can be reached at (912) 384-3560.
- Rev. Saimel Perdomo – Parochial Administrator
- Deacon Ron Milkas
- Deacon Ed Drexler
- Bertha Capetillo – Pastoral Assistant
- Janet Benton – Church Secretary
Faith Formation
Faith formation at St. Paul is described as a lifelong journey, welcoming children, teens, and adults to deepen their relationship with Christ and His Church. The Religious Education program offers weekly classes for children from Kindergarten through 12th grade, including sacramental preparation. The parish also runs the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA) for adults and older children seeking to enter the Catholic Church or complete their initiation, with the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist typically received at the Easter Vigil.
- Religious Education for K–12, including sacramental preparation
- OCIA (formerly RCIA) – Inquiry, Catechumenate, Rite of Election, Sacraments at Easter Vigil, Mystagogy
- Adult Bible study
- Sponsors and parish RCIA team accompany candidates
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
The OCIA process is a journey of study, exploration, prayer, and faith-sharing designed for adults and older children who are seeking to enter the Catholic Church. Unbaptized participants prepare to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil, while already-baptized Christians from other denominations prepare for full communion with the Catholic Church. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact the parish office at (912) 384-3560.
- Inquiry stage
- Catechumenate (learning and formation)
- Rite of Election
- Sacraments of Initiation at Easter Vigil
- Mystagogy (post-Easter reflection)
Sacraments
The parish celebrates the full sacramental life of the Catholic Church through regular Sunday and weekday Masses, Confession (Reconciliation) three days a week, Adoration, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage preparation, and Baptism. Sacramental preparation for First Communion and Confirmation is offered through the Religious Education program, while adult sacraments of initiation are received through OCIA.
- Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist (through OCIA)
- First Communion and Confirmation preparation for children
- Confession / Reconciliation
- Anointing of the Sick
- Marriage preparation
Visit, Contact, and Directions
St. Paul Catholic Church is located on the south side of Douglas, Georgia, on US Highway 441 South. The parish is easy to reach from the main commercial corridor of town and serves Catholics from across Coffee County and beyond. Visitors and newcomers are warmly welcomed at every Mass.
- Address: 4178 US Highway 441 S, Douglas, GA 31535
- Phone: (912) 384-3560
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.stpaulmissions.org
- Office hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- From Walmart at Bowens Mill Road, follow US-441 south 3 miles; parish on the right
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John Mullins1938–
Named first pastor of St. Paul Catholic Church at its dedication on July 17, 1938, alongside assistant Fr. Daniel J. Bourke.
- Rev. Daniel J. Bourke1938–
First assistant pastor at St. Paul, appointed at the 1938 dedication by Bishop Gerald P. O'Hara.