About St. John the Baptist Catholic Church · Dunnellon, Florida
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church is a parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlando nestled along the peaceful banks of the Rainbow River in Dunnellon, Florida. The parish community worships in a crescent-shaped church built in 1985–86 with stained-glass windows by J. Piercey Studios of Orlando, and it is currently led by Father Ramon Bolatete, with Deacon T. Eric MaKoid assisting. St. John's is a bilingual community celebrating Mass in English and Spanish, with a robust Food Pantry, Knights of Columbus Council 8510, faith formation for children and adults, and outreach ministries serving neighbors in Dunnellon and surrounding Marion County. In 2026 the parish joyfully marks its 50th anniversary as a full parish (founded June 24, 1976).
- Established
- 1976
- Patron
- St. John the Baptist
- Rector
- Father Ramon Bolatete
- Diocese
- Diocese of Orlando
Why belong here
St. John the Baptist is a warm, bilingual parish family where newcomers are met with hospitality and ministries for every age and stage of life. The parish offers daily and Sunday Mass in English (and a Sunday Mass in Spanish), weekly Adoration and Confession, robust faith formation for children and adults including O.C.I.A. and Bible Study, and a thriving outreach through the Helping Hands Food Pantry and Emergency Relief line. Its setting along the Rainbow River, its 50-year legacy of resilience, and its active Men's Club, Altar and Rosary Society, Knights of Columbus Council 8510, and Music Ministry make it an inviting place to belong, serve, and grow.
Mass times at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30–4:10 PM
- 1st Saturday 9:40 AM
- 20 minutes prior to Daily Mass
Adoration times
- Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament — schedule published on parish calendar (typically following First Friday / First Saturday devotions)
Welcome & About Our Parish
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church describes itself as a welcoming home of faith and community in Dunnellon, Florida, nestled along the peaceful banks of the Rainbow River. The parish is rooted in prayer, hospitality, and the rich tradition of the Catholic Church, and is dedicated to living the Gospel with joy under the patronage of St. John the Baptist. It is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlando.
- Part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlando, Florida
- Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Rainbow River
- Mission: 'United as one body in Christ, we show passion for our faith through compassion for our neighbors'
- Office: 7525 S. US Hwy 41, Dunnellon, FL 34432 — (352) 489-3166
History
Catholic life in Dunnellon began in 1903 when Benedictine Fathers from St. Leo Abbey ministered to phosphate-mining families. A first church was dedicated January 4, 1914; it was lost after WWI, and Dunnellon had no parish for nearly forty years. The community revived as a mission in 1963 at the Rainbow Lakes Estates Community Clubhouse, was rebuilt in 1968, and was elevated to full parish status on June 24, 1976. After a 1981 fire destroyed the church, the current crescent-shaped sanctuary was completed in 1985 and dedicated June 24, 1986 by Bishop Thomas Grady. The parish is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026.
- 1903 — Benedictine missionaries from St. Leo Abbey begin visiting
- 1914 — First St. John the Baptist Church dedicated by Abbot Charles Mohr, O.S.B.
- 1923 — Original church sold to the Dunnellon Women's Club
- 1963 — Dunnellon Mission begins at Rainbow Lakes Estates Community Clubhouse
- 1968 — New mission church built on Highway 41
- 1976 — Elevated to parish status; Father Philip Stegeman named first pastor
- 1981 — Fire destroys the church; United Methodists offer their sanctuary
- 1986 — Crescent-shaped church dedicated by Bishop Thomas Grady
- 2026 — 50th anniversary year of celebrations
Clergy & Staff
The parish is led by Father Ramon Bolatete, a Divine Word Missionary who became pastor on November 14, 2023, and is assisted by Deacon T. Eric MaKoid, a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War. A dedicated lay staff manages faith formation, business, maintenance, communications, and pastoral care.
- Pastor: Father Ramon Bolatete (Divine Word Missionary; ordained Oct. 19, 1985; 40th anniversary celebrated Oct. 19, 2025)
- Deacon: T. Eric MaKoid
- Pastoral Associate: Ann Marie Benzinger, M.A., M.Div.
- Business Manager: Leo Daigle
- Children's Faith Formation Coordinator: Maureen Orkwis, M.A.
- Secretary / I.T.: MaryAlice Hogan
- Maintenance Supervisor: Lilly Cruz
- Janitorial Coordinator: Yadira Delgado
- Housekeeper: Nadyn Allonce
Faith Formation
Faith formation at St. John's is offered for every age as a lifelong journey of learning, loving, and living the Catholic faith. Children in kindergarten through 12th grade are welcomed into a Sunday-morning program that includes participation in the 10:30 AM Family Mass on the second Sunday of each month.
- Children's Faith Formation (K–12): Sundays 9:00–10:15 AM, August through May
- Family Mass — second Sunday of each month
- Christian Initiation of Children (ages 5–17 not yet baptized)
- Adult Bible Study & Reflection: Sundays 11:45 AM
- O.C.I.A. (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) by appointment
Liturgy & Music
The parish's Music Ministry supports the sung liturgy at weekend and holy day Masses, drawing on a broad team of lectors, sacristans, altar servers, and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion who serve the parish throughout the week. Bilingual elements are incorporated, especially during holy days.
- Music Ministry
- Readers (Lectors)
- Sacristans
- Altar Servers
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Communion at Home (for homebound parishioners)
- Latin Pronunciations
- Environment (seasonal decoration of the sanctuary)
Devotions
Beyond the Sunday and weekday Mass schedule, the parish nurtures devotion through the Rosary on weekdays, First Friday and First Saturday observances, and a Lenten Stations of the Cross walk known as 'Walk with the Lord.' Outdoor prayer features Mary's Grotto and the Walk with the Lord Prayer Path.
- Rosary — Tuesday through Friday before Daily Mass
- First Friday Mass — 6:00 PM (5:00 PM in Winter) at Mary's Grotto
- First Saturday Mass — 9:00 AM
- Stations of the Cross / Walk with the Lord — Fridays in Lent at 6:00 PM
- Walk with the Lord Prayer Path (outdoor devotional walk)
Parish Life & Fellowship
Parish life at St. John's centers on shared meals, service, and community-building. Coffee and Fellowship follows Sunday Masses with refreshments provided by rotating parish organizations, and the parish hosts Vacation Bible School, anniversary potluck brunches, and seasonal celebrations throughout the year.
- Coffee & Fellowship after Sunday Masses
- Vacation Bible School
- 50th Anniversary celebrations in 2026
- Altar and Rosary Society
- Men's Club
- Bingo
- Special Celebrations committee
Outreach & Charity
Outreach is central to the parish's identity, especially its mission statement: 'United as one body in Christ, we show passion for our faith through compassion for our neighbors.' The Helping Hands Food Pantry distributes groceries twice a week, and the parish maintains a dedicated Emergency Relief hotline for neighbors in crisis.
- Helping Hands Food Pantry — Tuesdays & Thursdays 10 AM–1 PM, (352) 489-9112
- Emergency Relief — (352) 533-1466
- Respect Life ministry
- Knights of Columbus Council 8510 (charitable works and fundraising)
- Arimathean Ministry (funeral support)
- Funerals ministry
Buildings, Gardens & Memorials
The crescent-shaped church, designed by architect Paul Zelones with stained-glass windows by J. Piercey Studios of Orlando, is the spiritual heart of the campus, surrounded by prayer gardens and devotional spaces built and expanded over the decades. These include the outdoor shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes, the St. Francis Garden (formerly the Knights of Columbus memorial garden for unborn children), the Rosary Garden, the Memorial Garden, Mary's Grotto, and the Walk with the Lord Prayer Path. A statue of St. John the Baptist stands at the church entrance, and the sanctuary is adorned with icons of the patron saint, a crucifix corpus above the altar, and statues of Our Lady of Grace and St. Joseph.
- Crescent-shaped church (completed 1985, dedicated 1986)
- Stained-glass windows by J. Piercey Studios of Orlando
- Statue of St. John the Baptist at the church entrance
- Outdoor shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes
- Mary's Grotto and Walk with the Lord Prayer Path
- St. Francis Garden, Rosary Garden, and Memorial Garden
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the parish office by phone, fax, or email, and stop by in person during posted office hours. The Food Pantry has its own line, and the Emergency Relief line is available for those in need. The parish bulletin reaches over 600 individuals each week.
- Address: 7525 S. US Hwy 41, Dunnellon, FL 34432
- Office: (352) 489-3166 — Mon–Thu 9 AM–4 PM; Fri 9 AM–12 PM
- Fax: (352) 489-3156
- Email: [email protected]
- Food Pantry: (352) 489-9112 — Tue & Thu 10 AM–1 PM
- Emergency Relief: (352) 533-1466
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Philip Stegeman1976–c.1981
First pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish; rebuilt the community after the 1981 fire
- Father Joseph Pinchock2001–2008
Built Knights of Columbus memorial garden, expanded pavilion, renovated kitchen, added Our Lady of Lourdes outdoor shrine and St. John the Baptist statue
- Father Emmanuel Akalue2008–2012
Launched the Alive in Christ capital campaign with the Diocese of Orlando
- Father Jean H. Desir2012–2023
Created the Walk with the Lord Prayer Path and Memorial Garden; authored the parish mission statement; transferred to St. Rose of Lima in 2023
- Father Ramon Bolatete2023–present
Divine Word Missionary, ordained October 19, 1985; celebrated 40th anniversary of ordination on October 19, 2025