About St. James Cathedral · Orlando, Florida
The Cathedral of St. James is the mother church and episcopal seat (cathedra) of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlando, located at 215 N. Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando, Florida. Theologically the word "cathedral" derives from the Latin cathedra, meaning the bishop's chair, which in this case belongs to the Most Rev. John Noonan. The parish itself is the oldest Catholic community in central Florida — founded in 1881 when Bishop John Moore of St. Augustine purchased land from Robert Reid — and it was raised to cathedral status in 1977 after a fire destroyed the previous St. Charles Borromeo Cathedral. Today the parish welcomes thousands of worshippers weekly through English and Spanish Masses, runs St. James Cathedral School (since 1928), and is known for its outreach ministries, tithing tradition, and richly decorated Romanesque Revival sanctuary.
- Established
- 1881
- Patron
- St. James the Great (James, son of Zebedee, apostle)
- Rector
- Very Rev. Miguel González (Rector)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Orlando
Why belong here
St. James Cathedral is the spiritual heart of the Diocese of Orlando — a place where centuries-old liturgy (including a Spanish-language Mass) meets active downtown outreach and a 130-plus-year tradition of tithing 10 percent of parish income to the poor. Worshippers find a full sacramental life (daily Mass, Reconciliation, Adoration, Anointing of the Sick, baptisms, weddings, RCIA) supported by a strong music program built around the restored Wicks Opus 6028 organ, a thriving Cathedral School serving Pre-K3 through 8th grade since 1928, and dozens of ministries including St. Vincent de Paul, That Man is You, Knights of Columbus, Young Adults, Vacation Bible School, adult faith formation and prison ministry. It is both a pilgrimage church and a working parish — visitors are welcomed warmly into a community that has historically shaped Catholic life across central Florida.
Mass times at St. James Cathedral
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Weekdays: 11:30 am – 12:00 pm
- Saturday: 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Adoration times
- Weekdays: 7:30 am – 12:00 pm (concurrent with the church being open; Adoration canceled on holidays when parish office is closed unless otherwise announced)
History of St. James Cathedral
From a $1,050 land purchase in 1881 to a 2009–2010 marble-and-organ restoration, St. James Cathedral carries the full weight of central Florida Catholic history. The parish predates the city of Orlando's modern footprint and was the seed from which the Diocese of Orlando itself grew. Explore the parish's illustrated timeline — the wooden 1887 church, the 1921 mission to Winter Park, the 1952 current building, the 1977 transfer to cathedral status, and the 2010 re-dedication.
- 1881 — Bishop John Moore buys the original four-block parcel from Robert Reid for $1,050.
- 1885 — Father Felix P. Swembergh arrives as Orlando's first resident priest.
- 1887 — Cornerstone laid for the first wooden church (40 × 70 ft, 45-ft bell tower); completed 1891.
- 1889 — Sisters of St. Joseph arrive from St. Augustine to open St. Joseph Academy.
- 1921 — Parish school building opens; St. Margaret Mary mission established in Winter Park.
- 1952 — Present church dedicated March 9, 1952.
- 1968 — Diocese of Orlando erected; St. Charles Borromeo named cathedral.
- Oct 1, 1976 — Fire destroys St. Charles Borromeo Cathedral.
- Nov 20, 1977 — Bishop Thomas J. Grady dedicates St. James as cathedral.
- 1979–1985 — Second renovation; parish life center and Blessed Sacrament Chapel added.
- 2009–2010 — Major interior restoration; Carrara-marble furnishings and Wicks organ Opus 6028 restored.
Clergy and Pastoral Leadership
The rector is assisted by a parochial vicar, multiple permanent deacons, two Servants of the Holy Trinity of Jesus and Mary (SCTJM) religious sisters, and a full lay staff. Father Miguel González has served as rector since October 2016; he is also vicar of clergy and diocesan/national spiritual advisor to the Council of Catholic Women.
- Very Rev. Miguel González — Rector
- Rev. Phillip Mills — Parochial Vicar
- Deacons: Gerard Hempstead, Patrick McAvoy, Mark Zeitler, Stephen Schaffer, Joseph Gassman
- Sister María Sagrario, SCTJM — Pastoral Care / Funeral Coordinator
- Sister Gianna Grace Perino, SCTJM
- Music: David McIntyre (Director of Worship), Bruce Croteau (Music Director), Jedidiah Altre (Associate Music Director), Billy Martinez (Liturgy & Music Coordinator)
- Formation: Eddiel Rivera Salgado (Catechetical Leader), Lessie Gregory (Religious Ed Coordinator), Rosemarie Ochoa (Faith Formation), Angela Sibayan (Youth Ministry Coordinator)
- Outreach/Stewardship: Lorna Rolón (Outreach Coordinator), Janice Nuñez (Assistant to the Rector & Stewardship Coordinator), Carolina Gutierrez (Outreach)
- Operations: John Nardi (Finance Manager), Luz Vanegas, Ada Rodriguez, Jon Waldrop, Mark Zeitler (Facilities), Jedidiah Altre (Associate Vocations Director)
Sacraments
All seven sacraments of the Catholic Church are celebrated at the cathedral, with preparation tailored to each. As the mother church of the diocese, ordinations to the priesthood also take place here — every newly ordained priest of the Diocese of Orlando lies in supplication before the cathedral altar before receiving Holy Orders.
- Baptism (infant) — class once a month 6:30–8:30 pm; contact Sister María Sagrario at [email protected]
- Baptism (adult) — through RCIA
- First Reconciliation — 2nd grade preparation
- First Holy Communion — 2nd grade preparation
- Confirmation — typically 7th or 8th grade
- Penance — see confession schedule
- Anointing of the Sick — by request
- Holy Orders — ordinations for the Diocese of Orlando
- Matrimony — Fri 2 pm, Sat 12/2/6 pm; six months' preparation; wedding coordinator Jedidiah Altre
Faith Formation and Learning Ministries
Faith formation at St. James is described by the parish as 'lifelong' — accompanying children and adults from infancy through old age. A family-catechesis model pairs parish gatherings with parent-led catechesis at home.
- Children's Faith Formation (K–5th) — monthly meetings + at-home catechesis
- Youth Ministry — middle and high school
- Young Adults (20s & 30s) — founded August 2012
- Adult Faith Formation — RCIA, Small Christian Communities, University of Dayton Virtual Learning Partnership
- That Man is You — men's program, Fridays 6:30 am
- Women's Bible Study — Monday or Wednesday mornings
- Vacation Bible School — one-week summer program
- Baptismal Preparation for Parents
St. James Cathedral School
Located at 505 East Ridgewood Street, just steps from Lake Eola, St. James Cathedral School has educated central Florida children since 1928. The school is accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference and serves students from Pre-K3 through 8th grade. Its mission: 'Come to Learn; Leave to Serve.'
- Founded 1928 — 90+ year Catholic education lineage
- Pre-K3 through 8th grade
- Florida Catholic Conference accredited
- Located at 505 E. Ridgewood St., Orlando, FL 32803
- Phone: (407) 841-4432
- Website: https://stjcs.com
- 2024–2025 school-year enrollment open
Outreach and Service Ministries
St. James is widely known for the tithing practice begun in July 1983 under Father David Page: 10 percent of all parish income is shared with ministries serving the poor and vulnerable of central Florida. Beyond tithing, parishioners actively run a St. Vincent de Paul Conference, a Knights of Columbus Council and Assembly, prison and hospital ministries, and partnerships with Catholic Charities and JMJ Pregnancy Center.
- 10% parish tithing tradition (since 1983)
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference — assisted 2,789 neighbors in 2010–2011
- Knights of Columbus (Council + Monsignor Bishop Assembly 4th Degree)
- Prison Ministry — St. Peter Claver partnership
- Hospital Ministry at Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC)
- Catholic Charities food distribution (Agape Mission Markets)
- Daily Bread / Christian Service Center — origins trace to St. James parishioners
- Outreach Love — founded by parishioner Beverly Gawlick
- JMJ Pregnancy Center / Lifting Lives Center
- Recipients of tithing: Apopka Family Learning Center, B.E.T.A. Center, Coalition for the Homeless, Covenant House of Central Florida, Fresh Start, Health Care Center for the Homeless, iDignity, Morning Star School, Russell Home for Atypical Children
Music, Liturgy and Worship Ministries
Music is central to liturgy at St. James. The cathedral's signature instrument is Wicks Organ Company Opus 6028, restored and enlarged in 2010 along with a smaller chapel organ. A team of musicians under Director of Worship David McIntyre leads the parish's repertoire.
- Director of Worship — David McIntyre
- Music Director — Bruce Croteau
- Associate Music Director — Jedidiah Altre
- Liturgy & Music Coordinator — Billy Martinez
- Wicks Organ Company Opus 6028 (restored 2010)
- 20 stained-glass rosary-mystery windows
- Hand-painted Pentecost dome mural by Renata Rohn
- Carrara-marble altar, tabernacle throne and baptismal font (Carrara, Italy)
- Paschal Lamb engraving on altar front
- Hospitality Ministers (ushers and greeters)
Architecture, Art and Cathedral Tour
The cathedral is a Romanesque Revival church completed in 1952 — 181 feet long, 88 feet wide, 83 feet tall, seating 1,200. Dozens of symbols and works of art reward the careful visitor: the scallop-shell pew engravings (the symbol of St. James the fisherman), the rosary-mystery windows, the Pentecost dome mural, and the Carrara-marble furnishings added in 2010. Group tours are scheduled by appointment through the parish office.
- Style: Romanesque Revival
- Dimensions: 181 ft long × 88 ft wide × 83 ft tall
- Capacity: 1,200
- Original building dedicated March 9, 1952
- Renovated and rededicated 2010
- Scallop-shell pew engravings (symbol of St. James)
- 20 stained-glass windows — 20 mysteries of the rosary
- Six hand-painted murals above the altar
- Pentecost dome mural by Renata Rohn of Rohn and Associates (Pennsylvania)
- Carrara-marble altar, tabernacle throne and baptismal font
- Wicks Organ Opus 6028 (restored 2010)
- Tours by appointment: (407) 422-2005
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Felix Prosper Swembergh1885–1887
First resident priest of Orlando. Died of yellow fever in 1887 while aiding a priest in Tampa.
- Rev. Joseph J. Creed1888–1892
Pastored during completion of the first wooden church.
- Rev. Michael Fox1892–1933
Long-tenured pastor who oversaw parish growth and the 1921 mission to Winter Park.
- Monsignor John Gregory Bishop1933–1957
Led construction of the present (1952) church building.
- Monsignor Terence J. Farrelly1957–1972
Served as pastor through the diocese's 1968 founding and the 1970 renovation.
- Rev. David P. Page1972–1987 (some sources 1972–1985/1986)
Pastored during transfer to cathedral status (1977); initiated St. James tithing (10% to the poor) in July 1983 and envisioned the three-level Community Life Center.
- Rev. Joseph A. Nolin1987–1992
Succeeded Father Page as rector/pastor.
- Rev. Sean Heslin1992–2001
Pastored through the diocese's growth years under Bishop Dorsey.
- Rev. John McCormick2001–2016
Dublin-born; ordained in Rome December 24, 1975; arrived at St. James July 12, 1983; served through the 2009–2010 major renovation.
- Very Rev. Miguel González2016–present
Ordained May 23, 1998, at St. James Cathedral. Former vocations director, Spanish TV Mass/Radio Paz host, pastor of St. John Vianney. Named Rector/Administrator by Bishop Noonan in October 2016.
