About San Sebastian Catholic Church · Saint Augustine, Florida
San Sebastian Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of St. Augustine located at 1112 State Road 16 in Saint Augustine, Florida. Founded in 1968 under the leadership of Fr. John O'Flaherty and Bishop Paul Tanner, the parish began with Masses celebrated in a flower shop before growing into a vibrant faith community serving the west side of the San Sebastian River. Today the parish offers Mass in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language, with active ministries for youth, the deaf community, the homebound, and the wider St. Augustine community through food drives, prison ministry, and outreach to those in need.
- Established
- 1968
- Patron
- Saint Sebastian
- Rector
- Rev. Bernadine Eikhuemelo
- Diocese
- Diocese of St. Augustine
Why belong here
San Sebastian is a parish that welcomes worshippers across language and ability: the 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass is interpreted in American Sign Language for the hearing impaired, and a 12:00 p.m. Mass is celebrated in Spanish, making it a spiritual home for English-speakers, Spanish-speakers, and the Deaf community alike. The parish also lives its faith outward through Food and Fun Fridays, a Saturday Food Drive, Dining with Dignity for the homeless, prison ministry with Deacon Santiago, diaper drives, and an Angel Tree at Christmas — so belonging here means joining a community that actively serves the wider St. Augustine area.
Mass times at San Sebastian Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
- After weekday Masses
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: Friday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
History of San Sebastian Catholic Church
San Sebastian was founded in 1968 when Bishop Paul Tanner assigned Fr. John O'Flaherty to build a parish west of the San Sebastian River. The community's first Masses were held in the flower shop of Mr. and Mrs. Carcaba, then moved to a Palmer Street warehouse donated by John Shugart. The first purpose-built church was dedicated on September 30, 1973 by Bishop Tanner. A rectory was added and dedicated in 1983 on the tenth anniversary of the church. Growth in the area led to a major 'Continuing the Vision' capital campaign in 2003; the expanded church was dedicated September 15, 2007 by Bishop Victor Galeone. In 2017–2019 the parish built a Religious Education Enrichment Center, dedicated by Bishop Felipe Estévez on August 24, 2019 with the inscription: 'O Christ, our Teacher, may our building be a home for those who seek to grow in faith, knowledge, and service of others.'
- 1968 — Founding; first Masses in the Carcabas' flower shop.
- 1969 — Move to Palmer Street warehouse (seating 256).
- 1973 — First dedicated church on State Road 16, September 30, 1973.
- 1983 — Rectory dedicated on the church's 10th anniversary.
- 2005 — Groundbreaking for the expanded church (August 27, 2005).
- 2007 — New church dedicated September 15, 2007; Carillon Gift Shop opens December 2, 2007.
- 2008 — Parish Library opens February 9, 2008.
- 2010 — Fr. John D. Gillespie succeeds retiring Fr. Thomas P. Walsh on October 15, 2010.
- 2017 — Groundbreaking for Religious Education Enrichment Center, August 19, 2017.
- 2019 — Religious Education Enrichment Center dedicated August 24, 2019 by Bishop Felipe Estévez.
Parish Leadership & Staff
San Sebastian is currently served by Rev. Bernadine Eikhuemelo as Pastor and Rev. Carlos Lopera as Parochial Vicar, with Deacon Santiago Rosado-Rodríguez assisting in ministry. Lay staff manage the parish office, religious education, music, youth ministry, business, and facilities, supported by a Parish Advisory Council.
- Rev. Bernadine Eikhuemelo — Pastor
- Rev. Carlos Lopera — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Santiago Rosado-Rodríguez
- Victoria Diloné — Office Assistant
- Mickey Mickler — Director of Religious Education & OCIA Coordinator
- Mari White — Business Manager
- Suzanne Goldman — Bookkeeper
- Suzanne Gilmore — Director of Music
- Cesar Reyes Serna — Director of Spanish Music
- Laura Gunter — Youth Minister
- Charlie DiCarlo — Facilities Assistant Manager
- Parish Advisory Council Chairperson
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
San Sebastian runs a full catechetical program for children and adults through its Religious Education / OCIA process. Following Diocese of St. Augustine policy, children must complete two consecutive years of religious formation before receiving the sacraments of initiation. OCIA welcomes unbaptized adults and children age 7+, Christians seeking full communion, and baptized Catholics needing First Communion and Confirmation. Baptisms in English are celebrated on the first Sunday of the month at 2:00 p.m.; Spanish baptisms are also offered.
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) — Coordinator: Mickey Mickler; contact [email protected]
- First Reconciliation — for children 7+ after two years of formation
- First Holy Communion — for children 7+ after two years of formation
- Confirmation — for youth in 8th grade and above after two years of formation
- Baptism (English) — first Sunday of the month at 2:00 p.m.
- Bautismos en español — celebrados por la parroquia
Youth Ministry
The San Sebastian Warriors Youth Group welcomes pre-teens and teens for faith formation, fellowship, service, and fun. Parents support and encourage their children's involvement, while parishioners are invited to volunteer. The Youth Minister is Laura Gunter.
- San Sebastian Warriors Youth Group — pre-teens and teens
- Volunteer opportunities for parishioners
- Youth Minister: Laura Gunter ([email protected])
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Music at San Sebastian aims to be worship-centered and appropriate for the Catholic Mass — the parish quotes St. Augustine: 'He who sings, prays twice.' Multiple choirs serve different Masses, and ongoing training is offered throughout the year for liturgical ministers and catechists.
- Children's Choir — rehearses Tuesdays 6:00 p.m.; sings at 10:00 a.m. Mass on the 3rd Sunday of each month
- Vigil Choir — rehearses Saturdays 3:00 p.m. for the 4:00 p.m. Mass
- Choir for 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. Sunday Masses
- Spanish Music — coordinated by Cesar Reyes Serna
- Director of Music — Suzanne Gilmore
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Lectors
- Altar Servers (must have received First Holy Communion)
- Ushers
- Children's Liturgy of the Word — for grades K–4 at the 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass
Deaf & Hearing-Impaired Ministry
San Sebastian is one of the few parishes in the region to provide ongoing American Sign Language interpretation at Mass, with interpreters serving the 10:00 a.m. Sunday liturgy each week. The Deaf Ministry page links to national resources including the International Catholic Deaf Association, the National Catholic Office of the Deaf, and ASL Catholic Media.
- ASL interpretation at the 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass
- Contact: Tara Benyacko ([email protected])
- Resources: International Catholic Deaf Association (ICDA); National Catholic Office of the Deaf; ASL Catholic Media on Facebook
Community Outreach & Charity
San Sebastian lives the corporal works of mercy through an active community outreach program addressing food insecurity, homelessness, the incarcerated, new mothers, the elderly, and even local shelter animals. Volunteers and donations are welcomed through the parish office and listed ministry contacts.
- Food and Fun Fridays — 4th Friday of the month, 12 noon – 2 p.m., free non-perishable food for elderly and families in need
- Saturday Food Drive — 3rd Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., fresh food for those in need
- Dining with Dignity — evening meal for the homeless, 3rd Tuesday of the month
- Prayer Blankets / Shawls — knitted, crocheted, or sewn for the sick and those in need of comfort
- Diaper Drive for St. Gerard House (accepts packaged diapers and wipes)
- Angel Tree at Christmas — Catholic Charities gift giving, coordinated by Respect Life Committee
- Knights of Columbus Blood Drive
- Prison Ministry with Deacon Santiago — St. Johns County Jail, Saturdays 8:00–11:00 a.m.
- St. Johns County Pet Adoption donation drive (foods, treats, blankets, towels, toys)
Ministry of Caring
The Ministry of Caring reaches out to parishioners and the wider community so that no member of the parish family grieves alone. The committee meets the 1st Monday of every other month at 7:00 p.m.
- Bereavement and pastoral support
- Meets 1st Monday every other month, 7:00 p.m.
- Contact: Carol Jankowski — (904) 829-9130, [email protected]
I'm New — Joining the Parish
San Sebastian welcomes new parishioners through a Parish Registration Form on the 'I'm New' page. Visitors can indicate interests in Religious Education, Faith Formation, Sacraments, Music Ministry, Men's/Women's/Youth/Children's Ministries, Vacation Bible School, Extraordinary Ministers, Prayer Chain, and other volunteer roles. A member of the Welcome and Hospitality Committee follows up with more information about the church and its ministries.
- Parish Registration Form (online)
- Welcome and Hospitality Committee follow-up
- Interest options include Religious Education, Music, Men's, Women's, Youth, Children's, Extraordinary Ministers, Prayer Chain, Event Volunteering, and more
Contact & Visit
The parish office can be reached by phone or email during regular hours, and the church is located along State Road 16 on the west side of St. Augustine.
- Address: 1112 State Road 16, St. Augustine, FL 32084-8596
- Phone: (904) 824-6625
- Office email: [email protected]
- Diocese: Diocese of St. Augustine
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. John O'Flaherty1968–c. 1980
Founding pastor, assigned by Bishop Paul Tanner to build the parish; oversaw construction of the first dedicated church dedicated in 1973.
- Fr. Doug Reedc. 1980
Purchased a double-wide mobile home to serve as a Rectory/Friary until a home could be built.
- Fr. Thomas P. Walsh
Long-serving pastor; retired in October 2010.
- Fr. John D. Gillespie2010–
Took over as pastor on October 15, 2010 upon Fr. Walsh's retirement.
- Rev. Bernadine Eikhuemelopresent
Current pastor.