About St. John the Baptist Catholic Church · Atlantic Beach, Florida
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish located at 2400 Mayport Road in Atlantic Beach, Florida, serving the historic Mayport community on the north side of Jacksonville. The parish traces its roots to a mission founded in 1836 by Father Claude M. Rampon (also spelled Pampon) and is currently led by Rev. Anthony Bonela, MSFS. It belongs to the Diocese of St. Augustine and today counts more than 800 registered families, a remarkable testimony to nearly two centuries of perseverance after fires, Civil War destruction, and relocation along the coast.
- Established
- 1836
- Patron
- St. John the Baptist
- Rector
- Rev. Anthony Bonela, MSFS
- Diocese
- Diocese of St. Augustine
Why belong here
St. John the Baptist offers an unusually deep sense of continuity: more than 800 families gather at a parish whose mission dates back to 1836, survived Civil War arson, rebuilt on the dunes of Mayport, and continues today as a brick church on Mayport Road. The community is small enough to know one another but active enough to offer Sunday Mass at three times, daily Mass Tuesday through Friday, Religious Education K–8, OCIA for adults, Vacation Bible School, a Ladies' Guild, youth ministry, liturgical ministries (Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Altar Servers, Hospitality, Homebound Communion), and parish outreach supported by the Ladies' Guild. It is a parish where history is not just remembered but lived out in current fellowship.
Mass times at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 30 minutes before every weekend Mass
- Saturdays 4:20 PM–4:50 PM
- Sundays 6:20 AM–6:50 AM, 8:20 AM–8:50 AM, 10:20 AM–10:50 AM
- By appointment (call the parish office at 904-246-6014)
Adoration times
- Friday Adoration after Mass: 8:30 AM–10:00 AM
Our Heritage & History
St. John the Baptist traces its origin to 1836, when Fr. Claude M. Rampon (Pampon), a newly ordained French priest, was sent to Florida and established mission stations including one at 'St. Johns Bar' — today's Mayport. The early congregation was largely made up of Menorcan, Spanish, Greek, and Italian families who had migrated from St. Augustine. The parish's long history includes the burning of its church by Union troops on March 29, 1863, repeated relocations due to coastal erosion and the construction of Naval Station Mayport in 1940, and the dedication of the current brick edifice on Mayport Road in 1967.
- Mission founded 1836 by Fr. Claude M. Rampon (Pampon)
- First church destroyed by Union troops, March 29, 1863
- Second church built 1866–1870 on the original diocese-owned site
- Second church abandoned 1890 due to sand and erosion; new church built 800 feet east of the red lighthouse
- Sisters of St. Joseph operated a beach convent-school from the 1860s; withdrew in 1884
- Last pre-Naval-Station Mass offered November 1940
- 1955: small chapel dedicated by Bishop James J. McDonough, altar recovered from the demolished 1890 church
- 1967: current brick church erected on Mayport Road
Mass & Worship Schedule
St. John the Baptist celebrates Mass Tuesday through Friday at 8:00 AM, Saturday at 5:00 PM, and Sunday at 7:00, 9:00, and 11:00 AM. Holy Days of Obligation are 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM. The parish also offers a First Saturday Healing Mass at 8:00 AM, Adoration following Friday Mass from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM, and the First Friday Rosary after the 8:00 AM Mass. Confessions are heard 30 minutes before every weekend Mass, with extended windows published on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and by appointment.
Faith Formation & OCIA
Religious Education is offered for K through 8th grade, meeting on Sundays from August through May, directed by Samantha Matthews ([email protected]). The parish also runs Vacation Bible School. Adults seeking to enter the Catholic Church, or simply to explore the faith, are welcomed into OCIA — the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, the current name for what was once called RCIA — a four-stage journey directed by James Ezelle. Interested adults may call the parish office and a member of the OCIA team will follow up.
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners serve the liturgy as Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Altar Servers, Ministers of Hospitality, and Homebound Communion ministers. Each ministry has its own coordinator, and new volunteers must be registered parishioners who receive the pastor's approval before being scheduled. Training and formation are provided, including proclamation practice for lectors.
- Eucharistic Minister Coordinator: John Gilmore
- Lector Coordinators: Art & Debbie Corsano
- Altar Server Coordinator: Steve Martinez ([email protected])
- Hospitality Coordinator: Corinne Hundley
- Homebound Communion Ministry — visit and bring Communion to the homebound and local facilities
Ladies' Guild & Outreach
The Ladies' Guild of St. John's exists 'to support and enrich the life of our St. John's Parish Family through fellowship, outreach, and spiritual activities.' It meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM in the Parish Hall. The Guild hosts receptions for Confirmation, First Communion, the Easter Vigil, and Midnight Mass; runs fundraisers including a Mardi Gras Pancake Dinner and Fall Craft Fair; coordinates the St. John Feast Day Ice Cream Social and St. Nick Fest; and supports the Giving Tree and Christmas Shoppe community-service projects. Its charities include the Sisters of Christ's Light in India and the Sisters of St. Joseph in St. Augustine, FL.
Youth Ministry
Youth ministry at St. John's is coordinated by Jen Weber ([email protected]). The parish also runs Vacation Bible School each summer as a key outreach to local families with children.
Music Ministry
Music at St. John's is led by Music Director Nina Eustaquio ([email protected]), supporting the parish's weekend and daily Masses.
Sacraments: Baptism, Marriage, Funeral
The parish office coordinates all sacramental preparation. For Baptism, parents and godparents must complete St. John's Baptism Class; registration is required and classes are held by appointment. Parents must be registered parishioners for at least two months, and Baptisms are celebrated every 2nd Sunday after the 11:00 AM Mass. Weddings and funerals are arranged by calling the parish office at (904) 246-6014.
Parish Staff & Office
The parish is led by Rev. Anthony Bonela, MSFS, supported by a small staff team who keep the parish running day-to-day. The parish office is open Monday 10:30 AM–4:00 PM and Tuesday–Friday 8:30 AM–4:00 PM, and is closed on all major holidays.
- Pastor: Rev. Anthony Bonela, MSFS — [email protected]
- Office Manager: Amanda Lussier — [email protected]
- Admin Assistant: Jeff Springmann — [email protected]
- Bookkeeper: John Gilmore — [email protected]
- Facilities Manager: Bill Johnson
- Director of Religious Education: Samantha Matthews — [email protected]
- Music Director: Nina Eustaquio — [email protected]
- Youth Coordinator: Jen Weber — [email protected]
- OCIA Director: James Ezelle
- Lector Coordinators: Art & Debbie Corsano
- Altar Server Coordinator: Steve Martinez — [email protected]
- Hospitality Coordinator: Corinne Hundley
Plan Your Visit
Visitors are warmly welcomed at all Masses, with the largest crowds at the 9:00 and 11:00 AM Sunday Masses. Confessions are available 30 minutes before every weekend Mass, and the pastor can be reached for emergencies or spiritual support at (904) 246-6014 or [email protected].