St. John the Evangelist

About St. John the Evangelist

St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church is a multi-site Catholic parish located in Chiefland, Florida, within the Diocese of St. Augustine. Founded in 1987, it serves not only Chiefland but a wide swath of rural north-central Florida through three mission churches. The parish describes itself as committed to being 'the living presence of Jesus Christ in the multi-cultural, multi-racial neighborhoods in which God has placed us to live and to love and to serve.'

• Founded 1987
• Diocese of St. Augustine
• Four worship sites across Levy and Dixie counties
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) ministry

Parish History

Established in 1987 and listed in the Diocese of St. Augustine directory as 'St. John the Evangelist (Est. 1987),' the parish was from its earliest years a regional community church serving a dispersed rural population. By 2019 it was already working across multiple mission sites, and it has grown into a four-church family. A pastoral transition announced in parish bulletins in 2026 will see a new pastor and parochial vicar installed on July 1.

• 1987 — Parish established in Chiefland
• Mission churches in Cross City, Bell/Trenton, and Cedar Key developed over the years
• 2019 Diocesan Directory lists the parish with multiple missions and a parish manager
• July 1, 2026 — scheduled clergy transition: Fr. César Torres-Pinzón becomes pastor, Fr. Augustine Nwagbara, SMMM, named parochial vicar

Mission Statement

The parish mission statement, posted on the official website, reads: 'As Catholic Christians and people of prayer, we resolve, both as individuals and as a community, that by the grace of the Holy Spirit, we will be and become the living presence of Jesus Christ in the multi-cultural, multi-racial neighborhoods in which God has placed us to live and to love and to serve.'

Patron Saint

The parish takes its name from St. John the Apostle and Evangelist, the 'beloved disciple' of Jesus, traditionally credited with the Fourth Gospel, three Epistles, and the Book of Revelation. The Church celebrates his feast day on December 27, in the octave of Christmas. He is the patron of authors, publishers, booksellers, scholars, and writers, and is often depicted with an eagle, the symbol of the soaring theology of his Gospel.

• Patron: St. John the Apostle and Evangelist
• Feast Day: December 27
• Symbol: the eagle

Staff & Clergy

The parish is served by a pastor and parochial vicar, supported by a parish manager, religious education coordinator, and maintenance staff. Contacts for parish needs are linked from the staff directory on stjohntheevangelistchiefland.com.

• Pastor: Rev. Wilson Colmenares — [email protected] (transitioning July 1, 2026)
• Parochial Vicar: Rev. Pablo Fuentes (entering retirement July 1, 2026)
• Incoming Pastor: Rev. César Torres-Pinzón (effective July 1, 2026)
• Incoming Parochial Vicar: Rev. Augustine Nwagbara, SMMM (effective July 1, 2026)
• Parish Manager: Mayda Rivera
• Religious Education Coordinator: Belkis Candelario
• Maintenance: Elisa Vazquez

Mission Churches & Regional Schedule

In addition to the mother church in Chiefland, the parish runs three mission sites stretching across the Nature Coast region. Each mission has its own Mass schedule, faith-formation program, and role in the parish-wide healing prayer rotation.

• Holy Cross Mission — 18278 SE Highway 19, Cross City, FL 32628 — Sunday 11:30 AM; Wednesday 9:00 AM; Reconciliation 30 minutes before Mass
• Christ the Good Shepherd Mission — 9679 US HWY 129, Trenton, FL 32693 (Bell) — Sunday 7:30 PM; Saturday 6:30 PM; Reconciliation 15 minutes before Mass
• St. Andrew Mission — 12513 State Road 24, Cedar Key, FL 32625 — Saturday 6:00 PM; Sunday 3:00 PM (Spanish)
• Faith-formation classes also meet at each mission site on Sundays at varying hours

Healing Prayer & Mass for the Sick

A unique feature of parish life is a rotating monthly schedule of Masses with prayers for the sick and healing services that travels through all four worship sites, allowing parishioners anywhere in the region to attend nearby each month.

• First Tuesday — 6:00 PM at St. John the Evangelist, Chiefland
• Second Wednesday — 10:30 AM at Holy Cross, Cross City
• Third Wednesday — at St. John the Evangelist, Chiefland
• Fourth Saturday — 6:30 PM at Christ the Good Shepherd, Bell
• First Sunday — 3:00 PM at St. Andrew, Cedar Key
• Second Sunday — at Holy Cross, Cross City

Religious Education (CCD)

Children's CCD classes are held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:45 PM at the parish, with a light dinner served to students from 6:10 to 6:25 PM. Catechism 2025 faith-formation classes also take place on Sundays at each of the mission sites (e.g., 8:30 AM at St. John the Evangelist; 10:30 AM or 12:30 PM at Holy Cross; 7:30 PM at Christ the Good Shepherd).

• Children's CCD — Wednesday 6:30-7:45 PM (light dinner 6:10-6:25 PM)
• Sunday catechism classes at every mission site
• Two-year catechetical preparation for Confirmation

Youth Ministry

A parish youth group meets weekly on Wednesdays at 6:00 PM and welcomes teens from across the parish family. It is listed as a featured ministry on stjohntheevangelistchiefland.com and operates alongside the parish's CCD program.

• Youth Group meetings — Wednesday 6:00 PM
• Open to all teens
• Periodic fundraising events such as AI & Technology courses benefit the Youth Group

Sacraments

St. John the Evangelist prepares parishioners for the four primary Sacraments of Initiation and Marriage. Requirements are published on the parish Sacraments page; documents can be submitted in person at the parish office or emailed to [email protected]. All sacraments are free of charge; donations are welcome but not required.

• Baptism — birth certificate required; registered, Catholic parent(s); confirmed Catholic godparents
• First Communion — baptism certificate on file; parish religious education; sacramental preparation; family Mass attendance
• Confirmation — baptized and First-Communion completed; ages 14-16; active parish life; at least two years of catechetical preparation
• Marriage — at least 8 months' lead time; Pre Cana or Engaged Encounter; NFP course; liturgy planning with priest/deacon

Parish Registration & Online Giving

Parishioners are invited to register formally with the parish through the parish registration page. The parish also offers online giving as a convenient and secure option for regular offerings, one-time gifts, or special collections, accessible directly from the website.

• Parish Registration form available on the parish website
• Online Giving — one-time and recurring gifts, no registration required to give

Visiting Clergy & Diocesan Connections

Bishop Erik (Erick) Pohlmeier of the Diocese of St. Augustine celebrated Mass with the parish at Holy Cross Mission in Cross City in July 2025, accompanied by seminarians helping at weekend Masses. The diocese also schedules its annual priest gatherings that sometimes cancel weekday Masses at the parish (e.g., Diocesan Priest Convocation moved weekday Masses to a single Holy Cross Mass).

• Bishop Erick Pohlmeier has celebrated Mass with the parish
• Connected to Diocese of St. Augustine deanery structure
• Diocesan directory listings updated annually

Contact & Office Hours

Parish office is only staffed in person on Tuesdays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM; on Wednesdays and Thursdays the office is closed but calls and administrative duties are handled remotely. The mailing address and physical addresses of all four worship sites are published on the Contact page.

• Office phone: (352) 493-9723
• Fax: (352) 769-4177
• Parish email: [email protected]
• Mailing address: P.O. Box 863, Chiefland, FL 32644
• Physical addresses listed for all four worship sites