About St. Cecelia · Clearwater, Florida
St. Cecelia Catholic Church is a century-old Roman Catholic parish in Clearwater, Florida, belonging to the Diocese of Saint Petersburg. Founded in 1924 through the generosity of winter resident Robert Brown, the parish was dedicated on Christmas Day that year and grew from fewer than 50 members into a thriving bilingual community that worships in both English and Spanish. Today St. Cecelia serves as a North Pinellas landmark with a large music ministry (befitting its patroness of church music), a K-8 interparochial school that has earned two U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon awards, and outreach programs including La Clinica Guadalupana that treat thousands of uninsured Hispanic neighbors each year.
- Established
- 1924
- Patron
- St. Cecilia (patron saint of church music and art) — spelled "Cecelia" in honor of benefactor Robert Brown's daughter
- Rector
- Rev. Kyle D. Smith
- Diocese
- Diocese of Saint Petersburg (Deanery: North Pinellas)
Why belong here
St. Cecelia offers a deeply bilingual Catholic life in the heart of Clearwater, with weekend Masses in both English and Spanish and a rich music ministry rooted in its patroness, the patron saint of church music. Parishioners benefit from a long-standing Catholic elementary school (PreK-3 through 8th grade, an International Baccalaureate World School and two-time National Blue Ribbon winner) and a campus that includes faith formation for every age, a youth group, adoration, confession several days a week, and outreach like La Clinica Guadalupana. After a century in Clearwater, it remains a place described by its members as inclusive, welcoming and alive with spiritual growth.
Mass times at St. Cecelia
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 9:00am (after 8:30am Mass)
- Saturday 3:00pm (before 4:00pm Mass)
- Thursday 6:00pm (Spanish, prior to 7:30pm Mass)
- By appointment — call the Parish Office at (727) 447-3494
Adoration times
- Tuesday 7:00pm – 8:00pm
- Friday 9:00am (First Friday)
- Sunday 12:30pm – 1:15pm (Spanish)
History of St. Cecelia Catholic Church
St. Cecelia Catholic Church began with a dream and a generous benefactor more than three-quarters of a century ago in a small town once known as Clearwater Harbor. When the church was dedicated on Christmas Day 1924, the parish of fewer than 50 members could not have known that their church would become a local landmark and an icon of Catholicism in central Florida. Robert Brown, a wealthy winter resident, provided the funding for construction of the church. In recognition of his generosity, the patron saint chosen for the church was St. Cecilia — but spelled "Cecelia," the name of Mr. Brown's daughter. That distinctive spelling remains to this day. In November 2024 the parish celebrated a century of faith, community and love in Clearwater.
- Dedicated Christmas Day 1924 in Clearwater Harbor
- Officially established as a parish October 1, 1929 with the appointment of Fr. Thomas A. Colreavy as first pastor
- By the end of the 1950s the campus had grown to include a rectory, school, convent, and a new wing tripling the church's seating capacity
- Centennial Jubilee celebrated November 2024
Our Patroness: St. Cecilia
Saint Cecilia, the namesake of our church, is the patron saint of church music and art. She is one of the few female saints mentioned in the first Eucharistic prayer of the Mass and one of the most famous virgin martyrs in the Church's history. St. Cecilia lived in Rome during the second century and was killed for burying the bodies of martyrs during a period of intense Christian persecution. The parish's music ministry reflects a deep commitment to St. Cecilia's love of music.
- Patron saint of church music and art
- Feast Day: November 22
- Mentioned in the First Eucharistic Prayer of the Mass
- Spelled 'Cecelia' locally to honor benefactor Robert Brown's daughter
Clergy and Pastoral Staff
St. Cecelia is currently shepherded by Fr. Kyle D. Smith as pastor, along with two parochial vicars and an assigned deacon. Fr. Smith succeeded Fr. Robert Schneider, who served as pastor from 2017 and led the parish through its centennial celebration. The parish office can be reached Monday–Thursday 9am–3pm and Friday 9am–1pm at (727) 447-3494.
- Rev. Kyle D. Smith — Pastor
- Rev. Anthony Kakaire — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. Jesus R. Martinez — Parochial Vicar
- Deacon Francisco Martinez-Pacini — Assigned
Devotions and Other Services
In addition to daily Mass and the regular confessional schedule, St. Cecelia sustains a number of longstanding devotional practices rooted in Catholic tradition.
- Miraculous Medal Novena — Mondays following the 8:30am Mass
- Sanctifying Thursday Spanish Mass — 7:30pm
- First Friday Spanish Mass with Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus — 7:00pm
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Cecelia is "vibrant and bursting at the seams with activities and classes for children" and also offers classes for adults interested in becoming Catholic or completing their Sacraments. Faith Formation provides ministry for every age from Kindergarten through Adult Education. Confirmation and First Communion preparation are offered in both English and Spanish.
- Weekday Faith Formation classes (K–8): Wednesdays 6:00–7:15pm
- Sunday Faith Formation classes (K–8): 10:15am – 12:00pm
- Confirmation preparation — English and Spanish tracks
- First Communion preparation — English and Spanish tracks
- Adult education and inquiry for those becoming Catholic
- Contact: Kim Pascyznski, [email protected], (727) 447-3494 ext. 124
St. Cecelia Interparochial Catholic School
St. Cecelia Interparochial Catholic School (SCS) is a PreK-3 through 8th-grade Catholic elementary school located at 1350 Court Street, Clearwater. It was founded in 1948 by Fr. Thomas Colreavy and the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, opening with 60 students in the renovated rectory. The school has grown into a nationally recognized program serving nearly 500 students from across the Tampa Bay area. It is fully accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference and authorized as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. SCS has earned the U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon award twice — in 2010 and 2020. The school is supported by four parishes: St. Cecelia, Light of Christ, St. Brendan, and St. Catherine of Siena.
- Founded 1948 by Fr. Colreavy and the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary
- PreK-3 through 8th grade; nearly 500 students
- 1350 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756 — (727) 461-1200
- International Baccalaureate World School
- Two-time National Blue Ribbon School (2010 and 2020)
- Accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference
- Supporting parishes: St. Cecelia, Light of Christ, St. Brendan, St. Catherine of Siena
Hispanic Ministry & La Clinica Guadalupana
In 1993, under the leadership of Monsignor Aiden Foynes, St. Cecelia recognized Clearwater's growing Hispanic population and began offering Spanish Masses and outreach services. Parishioners founded La Clinica Guadalupana on Missouri Avenue, which treats thousands of poor and uninsured Hispanics every year. St. Cecelia continues to celebrate a bilingual schedule of Masses and devotions in English and Spanish, including the Spanish Masses on Sundays at 1:30pm and 6:00pm and on Thursday evenings, plus Spanish confession and First Friday devotion to the Sacred Heart.
- Spanish Masses Sunday 1:30pm and 6:00pm
- Spanish weekday Mass Thursday 7:30pm (Sanctifying Thursday)
- Spanish First Friday Mass and Sacred Heart devotion 7:00pm
- La Clinica Guadalupana — free health clinic for uninsured Hispanics, founded by parishioners on Missouri Avenue
Parish Music Ministry
In keeping with the parish's patroness, the patron saint of church music and art, St. Cecelia places a strong emphasis on liturgical music. The Chancel Choir supports the 11:30am Sunday Mass, the 9:30am Sunday Mass is celebrated as the parish Family Mass, and a quiet 6:45am Sunday Mass (no music) is offered for those who prefer a more contemplative worship. Lectors, altar servers, sacristans and ushers round out the liturgical ministries.
- Chancel Choir at the 11:30am Sunday Mass
- Family Mass on Sundays at 9:30am
- Quiet (no music) Mass on Sundays at 6:45am
- Lectors, altar servers, sacristans and ushers
Youth Ministry
St. Cecelia maintains an active youth ministry program for parish teens, complementing its K–8 Faith Formation track. The parish homepage features a "Calling All High Schoolers to Join Our Parish Youth Group" invitation, and faith formation is offered in both English and Spanish to serve the bilingual parish community.
- Parish Youth Group for high schoolers
- Faith Formation classes for children and teens in English and Spanish
- Confirmation preparation in English and Spanish
Visit, Contact, and Getting Involved
St. Cecelia's parish office is at 820 Jasmine Way, Clearwater, FL 33756, and can be reached Monday–Thursday 9am–3pm and Friday 9am–1pm at (727) 447-3494 (fax 727-442-4810) or by email at [email protected]. The Saturday Vigil Mass at 4:00pm and the Sunday 1:30pm Spanish Mass are both live-streamed on the parish Facebook page. As the parish approaches its second century, its ministries continue to welcome new parishioners into its bilingual worshipping community.
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 9am–3pm; Fri 9am–1pm (closed Sat/Sun)
- Live-streamed Mass: Saturday Vigil 4:00pm and Sunday 1:30pm Spanish via Facebook
- Faith Formation contact: Kim Pascyznki, ext. 124, [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Thomas A. Colreavy1929–c.1969
First pastor; served 40 years. Oversaw construction of rectory, school, convent and the wing that tripled the church's seating. Opened St. Cecelia School with the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary in 1948.
- Rev. Thomas Larkin1967–1979
Later appointed second Bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg by Pope John Paul II (1979–1988). Had been a roommate of the future Pope John Paul II while studying in Rome.
- Monsignor Aiden Foynes1990s
Began Spanish-language Masses and outreach in 1993 in response to Clearwater's growing Hispanic population; parishioners under his leadership founded La Clinica Guadalupana.
- Rev. Robert Schneider2017–c.2024
Led the parish's centennial preparations and jubilee year; quoted in diocesan coverage of the 100-year celebration.
- Rev. Kyle D. Smith2024–present
Succeeded Fr. Schneider as pastor; had previously served two years as one of the parish's priests before becoming pastor.