About San Juan del Rio · Jacksonville, Florida
San Juan del Rio Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in St. Johns, Florida (within greater Jacksonville), in the Diocese of St. Augustine. Founded in 1983 and now serving over 3,100 families, it offers daily and Sunday Masses in English, a robust Catholic school (Pre-K3 through 8th grade), religious education for more than 800 children, and a wide network of parish ministries, service groups, and devotions. The current church sanctuary opened in 2007 and seats over 1,200 people, and the Parish Family Center (with classrooms, gym, kitchen, and meeting rooms) opened in 2018.
- Established
- 1983
- Patron
- Saint John the Baptist
- Rector
- Very Rev. Peter Akin-Otiko, J.C.L., J.V.
- Diocese
- Diocese of St. Augustine
Why belong here
San Juan del Rio is a large, active, family-oriented Catholic community with over 3,100 families in northwest St. Johns County, anchored by a school (Pre-K3 through 8th grade) and a thriving parish life. Worship is supported by daily and Sunday Masses, weekday and First Friday Eucharistic Adoration, a Saturday Vigil Mass, regular Confession, RCIA/OCIA, a strong youth ministry (more than 100 high schoolers and 150 middle schoolers), and a deep bench of service organizations — Knights of Columbus, Council of Catholic Women, St. Vincent de Paul, Catholic FISH, Catholic Sons, Catholic Daughters, Boy Scout Troop 287, and a Filipino Ministry. It is a parish where you can raise children in the faith, find adult formation, and serve the wider St. Johns County community.
Mass times at San Juan del Rio
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:00–4:30 PM in the church (per parish website; diocese lists 3:30–5:00 PM)
Adoration times
- Weekdays: 7:30–8:00 PM
- First Friday of the month: 9:30 AM to 9:00 PM
- Monday morning: 7:30–8:45 AM
History of San Juan del Rio Parish
The San Juan del Rio community traces its roots to 1977, when 40 families gathered for Mass in the Old House of the Marywood Retreat Center on the St. Johns River. The parish was formally established in 1983, and by 1993 it had grown to 350 families, who had already constructed a multi-purpose worship building on the current State Road 13 site. The parish school opened in 1995, the current church sanctuary in 2007, and the Parish Family Center in 2018.
- 1977 — 40 families begin worshipping at the Marywood Retreat Center
- 1983 — Parish formally established as San Juan del Rio
- 1993 — 350 families; multi-purpose worship building constructed on State Road 13
- 1995 — Parish school (Pre-K through 2) opens with 75 students
- 1999 — School earns first accreditation; 271 students enrolled Pre-K through 8
- 2007 — Current church sanctuary opens, seating 1,200+
- 2007–08 — New middle school building (tech lab, library, science lab) opens
- 2011 — Fundraising for Parish Family Center begins
- 2018 — Parish Family Center opens (6 classrooms, gym, kitchen, 10 meeting rooms)
- Today — Over 3,100 families, 800+ children in Religious Education
Parish Staff and Clergy
The parish is led by Very Rev. Peter Akin-Otiko, J.C.L., J.V., who also serves as Judicial Vicar for the Diocese of St. Augustine, assisted by two parochial vicars, two deacons, and two religious sisters. The parish staff includes a business administrator, music director, director of religious education, OCIA coordinator, and director of youth and young adult ministry.
- Pastor: Very Rev. Peter Akin-Otiko, J.C.L., J.V. (also DOSA Judicial Vicar)
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Clay Ludwig (also DOSA Vocations Director)
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Edwin Omorogbe, J.C.D.
- Deacon Stanley Boschert (Director of Religious Education)
- Deacon Peter Dang (Liturgy / Altar Servers)
- Sr. Rosaline James
- Sr. Faith John
- Walter Czuryla — Parish Business Administrator
- Darla Cook — Administrative Assistant
- Jack Klees — Bookkeeper
- Marlys Adjevi — Director of Music
- Judy Jones — Coordinator for OCIA (RCIA)
- Monina Mulleague — Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry
San Juan del Rio Catholic School
San Juan del Rio Catholic School (the 'Saints') is the parish's Pre-K 3 through 8th grade elementary school. It opened in 1995 with 75 students in Pre-K through 2nd grade and has grown steadily ever since, adding a middle school building in 2007–08 and earning full accreditation. The school emphasizes Catholic identity, academic excellence, and character formation, with all faculty certified in Florida and trained in the diocese's safe-environment programs.
- Opened fall 1995, Pre-K through 2nd grade, 75 students
- Accredited 1999 with 271 students Pre-K through 8th
- 2007–08 — New middle school building with technology lab, library, and science lab
- Faculty and staff Florida-certified; all complete DOSA background checks, fingerprinting, and Protecting God's Children training
- Pastor Fr. Peter Akin-Otiko serves as canonical pastor of the school
- School website: https://www.sjdrsaints.org/
- Motto: Persist, Excel, Love, Serve, Seek, Inspire
Faith Formation — PREP and OCIA (RCIA)
Faith formation at San Juan del Rio is anchored by the Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) for children and the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA) for adults seeking to enter or return to the Catholic Church. PREP serves more than 800 children each year and depends on a large team of volunteer catechists.
- PREP (Parish Religious Education Program): Kindergarten through High School
- PREP prepares children for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation
- Volunteer catechist training held in August; Protecting God's Children in June/July
- OCIA / RCIA: For adults and high-schoolers seeking to join the Catholic Church
- Each OCIA candidate is paired with a Catholic sponsor
- PREP office: (904) 287-2801; [email protected]
Music and Liturgical Ministries
Music at San Juan del Rio is intentionally varied to match each Mass: contemporary and folk music at the Saturday 5:15 PM Mass, traditional choral music at the Sunday morning Masses, and youth-led music at the Sunday evening Mass. Lay liturgical ministries — altar servers, Eucharistic ministers, lectors, sacristans, ushers, and the Handmaids of the Lord — support the celebration of the Mass throughout the week.
- Folk/Contemporary music at Saturday 5:15 PM Mass (rehearsal first Thursday 7:00 PM)
- Traditional music at Sunday 7:00, 9:00, and 11:00 AM Masses
- Youth-led music at Sunday 5:00 PM Mass
- Traditional choir practice Thursdays 7:00–8:15 PM in the Parish Family Center, room 411
- Altar Servers (4th grade and older) — contact Deacon Peter Dang
- Eucharistic Ministers — contact Nikki Sadowski or Joe Stepp
- Lectors — contact Buddy Packham
- Sacristans — contact Michael Vaeth
- Ushers — contact Jim Denkler
- Handmaids of the Lord (linens) — contact Sarah Kissell
- Angel Dusters (church cleaning) — Thursdays after 9:00 AM Mass
Youth, Young Adult, and Family Ministry
San Juan del Rio runs one of the larger youth ministries in the Diocese of St. Augustine, with more than 100 high schoolers and 150 middle schoolers registered. The youth ministry collaborates with parish vocations, Knights of Columbus, Council of Catholic Women, Vacation Bible School, Respect Life, Catholic FISH, and the Catholic Sons & Daughters. Catholic Moms F.I.S.H. (Fellowship, Inspiring, Service, Helping) is the parish's long-standing family and moms' ministry.
- High School Youth Group (HSYG) — meets weekly
- Middle School Youth Group (MSYG) — meets monthly
- Leadership Formation during summer for HSYG, MSYG, Young Adults, and Core Team
- Summer retreats/conferences: Steubenville, Ave Maria, DYC, Rise Up, Plunge 1 & 2, Mpact, Servant Heart
- Catholic Moms F.I.S.H. — 35+ years at SJDR; weekly book club Wednesdays 10:00 AM–noon; weekly play group; First Fruits Nursery during 9:00 and 11:00 AM Masses
- Boy Scout Troop 287 and Cub Scout Pack 287 affiliated with the parish
- All adult volunteers must complete Diocesan-approved Safety Environment Clearance (Protecting God's Children)
Parish Service, Outreach, and Social Ministries
The parish supports a wide network of service and outreach ministries — both inside the parish and throughout St. Johns County — under the umbrella of Catholic social teaching. From the long-running Knitting and Crochet Ministry to the St. Vincent de Paul conference, the parish reaches neighbors in need across the 32259 zip code and beyond.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society (SVdP) — rental, utility, gas, and food assistance; help line 904-412-3899
- Knitting and Crochet Ministry — 35–50 active members; baby blankets for every SJDR baptism; donations to Genesis House, Divine Mercy House, chemo patients, foster children, and Jewish Family Community Services
- Knights of Columbus Council 12664 — 2nd & 4th Tuesday 7:00 PM in Parish Family Center; fish fries during Lent, blood drives, highway cleanup
- 4th Degree Knights — assist at funerals and lead monthly Patriotic Rosary
- Council of Catholic Women (CCW) — 2nd Thursday monthly in the Parish Auditorium; $20/year dues
- Catholic Sons of San Juan del Rio — boys/young men ages 10–18; meet biweekly in the Parish Family Center
- Catholic Daughters of SJDR — young women ages 10–18; meet biweekly Sundays 6:30–7:30 PM
- Filipino Ministry (Mabuhay) — Filipino-American community; Art PeBenito (904) 294-4089
- Mental Health Ministry — workshops and resources to support parishioners affected by mental illness
- Respect Life — Angel Tree, Lenten Crosses, Food Drives; Joyce Svoboda 904-287-1117
- Serving Our Sick (SOS) — Respite Care, Traveling Eucharistic Ministers, end-of-life support
- Funeral Reception Ministry — provides and serves food for funeral Mass receptions
- Vocations Ministry — formed at the request of Fr. Clay Ludwig, DOSA Vocations Director
Parish Campus and Facilities
The San Juan del Rio campus has grown in phases to keep pace with the parish family. The 2007 church sanctuary seats over 1,200 people per Mass, and the 2018 Parish Family Center adds significant gathering and meeting space. The parish school occupies its own dedicated buildings and athletic fields on the same campus.
- Church sanctuary (opened 2007) — seats 1,200+
- Parish Family Center (opened 2018) — 6 classrooms, gymnasium, state-of-the-art kitchen, 10 meeting rooms
- Parish Auditorium — used for FISH book club, CCW meetings, and other gatherings
- Parish school buildings (Pre-K through 8) including middle school addition (2007–08)
- Athletic fields, basketball courts, and playground facilities
- Office hours: Monday–Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Becoming a Member of San Juan del Rio
Newcomers are warmly welcomed. The parish invites anyone who is new or curious about joining the Catholic faith to register online or contact the parish office, and to sign up for the parish's FlockNote emails and weekly/monthly newsletters to stay connected.
- Parish registration available online at sjdrparish.org
- OCIA/RCIA inquiry for adults seeking to join the Catholic Church
- PREP for children seeking sacraments of initiation
- FlockNote for weekly and monthly parish news
- First Friday Adoration sign-up available online
- In-person visit: 1718 State Road 13, North St. Johns, FL 32259; office open Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John Tetlow, V.F.
Listed as Pastor in the 2019 Diocese of St. Augustine Diocesan Directory.
- Very Rev. Peter Akin-Otiko, J.C.L., J.V.current
Current pastor; also serves as Judicial Vicar for the Diocese of St. Augustine.