About St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church · Winter Park, Florida
St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Orlando located at 526 North Park Avenue in Winter Park, Florida. It is named after St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, the French Visitation nun whose visions of Christ led to the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The parish began as a mission of St. James Cathedral in Orlando in 1924, was canonically erected as its own parish on November 5, 1947, and today serves Winter Park and surrounding communities with daily and Sunday Masses, a K-8 Catholic school (founded 1954), faith formation for all ages, Eucharistic Adoration, and an extensive outreach and social-justice ministry. The parish is currently led by Msgr. Richard M. Walsh (since the late 1980s) and is widely noted for its 2015 bell-tower addition and five-bell 'Gloria in excelsis Deo' peal blessed in 2022.
- Established
- 1924
- Patron
- St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
- Rector
- Msgr. Richard M. Walsh (also Vicar General for the Diocese of Orlando)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Orlando
Why belong here
St. Margaret Mary is one of central Florida's largest and longest-running parishes — 100+ years of continuous Catholic life in Winter Park — and offers a remarkable range of ways to plug in. Daily Mass is offered seven days a week (with a livestreamed morning Mass), there is weekly Eucharistic Adoration, a long-running First Friday Exposition, a respected K-8 Catholic school, robust faith formation for children and youth (EDGE middle-school, Life Teen high-school, Family Faith), RCIA for adults, a vibrant music ministry supported by a real carillon of five bronze bells, and an unusually strong social-justice and outreach program — including mission partnerships in Haiti, Uganda and the Dominican Republic — that earned the City of Winter Park proclamation of an annual 'St. Margaret Mary Day.'
Mass times at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday: 8:30 AM (immediately following the 8:00 AM daily Mass)
- Saturday: 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM
- By appointment (call the parish office at 407-647-3392)
Adoration times
- First Friday Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM in the Chapel
- Perpetual-style weekly adoration windows organized by the parish; sign up via Lisa Weis (Director of Liturgy)
History of St. Margaret Mary
St. Margaret Mary's story begins with the first Catholic Mass in Winter Park, celebrated in the Crane Cottage (the winter home of Rollins College professor John H. LaMontaigne) by priests from St. James Cathedral in Orlando. After the Diocese of St. Augustine authorized a mission church in 1921, land was purchased at Knowles and Canton Avenues. A small Spanish-style church was completed in December 1924 (first Mass Dec. 28, 1924; formal opening March 15, 1925; blessed and dedicated by Bishop Patrick Barry on January 30, 1927). The mission was canonically established as a parish on November 5, 1947, with Father Daniel C. Hegarty as first pastor. A 1954 building campaign helped launch the school with the Sisters of Christian Charity; a much larger church replaced the 1924 building and was dedicated by Bishop William D. Borders on November 2, 1969. A 2015 expansion added a rose-window narthex and the first bronze bell (cast in France and installed October 22, 2015), and on October 16, 2022 — the parish's 75th anniversary — Bishop John Noonan and Msgr. Walsh blessed two more bells, completing the five-bell 'Gloria in excelsis Deo' peal.
- 1886: First Catholic Mass in Winter Park, in the Crane Cottage
- 1921: Plans for a mission church of St. James approved
- Oct. 17, 1924: Cornerstone blessed on the Feast of St. Margaret Mary
- Dec. 28, 1924: First Mass in the new Spanish-style church
- Mar. 15, 1925: Formal opening
- Jan. 30, 1927: Church blessed and dedicated by Bishop Patrick Barry
- Nov. 5, 1947: Mission canonically erected as a parish; Fr. Daniel C. Hegarty first pastor
- 1954: St. Margaret Mary Catholic School opens with the Sisters of Christian Charity (252 students K–6)
- 1960: Archbishop Hurley dedicates new ten-classroom school building
- Oct. 1969: Last service in original church
- Nov. 2, 1969: New church dedicated by Bishop William D. Borders
- 2010: Neighborhood Apostolate commissioned; Fr. Walsh serves as Diocesan Administrator
- Oct. 18, 2015: Bell from France blessed; installed Oct. 22, 2015
- Oct. 16, 2022: 75th anniversary; two final bells blessed — five-bell Gloria in excelsis Deo peal completed
Leadership & Pastoral Succession
The parish has been led by a short succession of pastors since 1947. The first pastor was Fr. Daniel C. Hegarty, followed by Fr. Raymond M. Amiro, Fr. John P. Lawlor (1958), Fr. John Bluett, and Fr. (later Msgr.) John F. Wells (1985). Msgr. Richard M. Walsh became pastor on August 20 in the late 1980s and continues to lead the parish; he currently also serves as Vicar General of the Diocese of Orlando. He was named Diocesan Administrator in 2010 between the appointment and installation of Bishop John Noonan (installed Dec. 16, 2010) and was elevated to Monsignor by Pope Francis on June 28, 2019. He celebrated his 50th anniversary of priestly ordination on April 15, 2019. The associate/auxiliary clergy currently includes Fr. Anthony Aarons (in residence), Fr. Kenneth (Ken) Onyeabor (Parochial Vicar) and Fr. Benjie Calangi, OSJ (Parochial Vicar), with five deacons: Tommy Cuff, Dave Engasser, Joe Pizzarello, Walt Skinner and Bill Timmes.
- Fr. Felix Swembergh — pre-1924 resident mission priest from St. James
- Fr. Daniel C. Hegarty — first pastor at canonical erection (1947)
- Fr. Raymond M. Amiro
- Fr. John P. Lawlor — became pastor 1958
- Fr. John Bluett — became pastor in June
- Msgr. John F. Wells — became pastor 1985; commissioned Neighborhood Apostolate 2010
- Msgr. Richard M. Walsh — pastor since August 20 (late 1980s); Diocesan Administrator 2010; named Monsignor 2019; Vicar General, Diocese of Orlando
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation for Children serves Pre-K through 5th grade with catechist-led Sunday classes, monthly Wednesday-evening family-centered learning and a weekly virtual option. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion is offered for students 2nd grade and older, with Tuesday-evening sessions at 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM ($50 registration fee). Middle-school youth (grades 6–8) participate in EDGE, and high-school youth (grades 9–12) in Life Teen, both with regular gatherings, retreats, and Confirmation preparation (9th grade). Family Faith is a monthly all-ages Wednesday-evening program that begins with 5:30 PM Mass, a family meal and breakout sessions by age group. Adult Faith Formation — including RCIA, Confirmation for Adults, and ongoing formation — is coordinated by Karen Falbo.
- Children's Faith Formation (Pre-K–5) — Michelle Tyson
- First Reconciliation / First Communion — Tuesdays, 5:30 PM or 6:30 PM
- EDGE Middle School Youth Ministry (6th–8th) — Bela Schmitt
- Life Teen High School Youth Ministry (9th–12th) — Peyton Kuhlman
- Family Faith — all-ages Wednesday evenings
- Confirmation (Youth 9th grade) — Bela Schmitt
- Confirmation for Adults / RCIA — Karen Falbo
- Cursillo / Ultreya — Andrea Cavalere
St. Margaret Mary Catholic School
St. Margaret Mary Catholic School opened in the fall of 1954 with the Sisters of Christian Charity and lay teachers instructing 252 students in kindergarten through sixth grade. The school was dedicated in 1960 by Archbishop Joseph Patrick Hurley of St. Augustine with a new ten-classroom building, later expanded to a third floor. Today, located at 142 E. Swoope Avenue in downtown Winter Park, the school serves Pre-K through 8th grade under Principal Kathleen (Katie) Walsh and Asst. Principal Becky Kenefick. Its mission is to proclaim the Gospel through word, worship and service while nurturing each child's academic and spiritual potential. Students wear maroon-and-gold 'Knights' gear and the school is a parish-sponsored ministry of the Diocese of Orlando.
- Founded 1954 with the Sisters of Christian Charity
- Grades served: Pre-K through 8
- 1960 — Archbishop Hurley dedicates new ten-classroom building (later expanded with third floor)
- Principal: Kathleen (Katie) Walsh
- Asst. Principal: Becky Kenefick
- Address: 142 E. Swoope Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789
- Phone: 407-644-7537 — website: smmknight.org
Liturgy & Music
Liturgy and Music ministries support every Mass and devotional service in the parish. Lisa Weis serves as Director of Liturgy, with Curtis Wallace and Mark DuVall directing music. The parish maintains a wide range of liturgical volunteer roles: Ushers, Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (who serve a five-year active term after recommendation by the pastor and diocesan workshop), Art & Environment, and Altar Linen Ministry. A signature feature is the parish carillon of five solid bronze bells, completed in 2022 to form the 'Gloria in excelsis Deo' peal (taken from the In Festis Apostolorum chant); each bell is inscribed with scripture and dedicated to a saint (St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, St. Michael the Archangel, St. Agnes, St. George and Blessed Aimee Bouteiller). The bells ring several times daily as a call to prayer for Winter Park.
- Ushers, Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Art & Environment
- Altar Linen Ministry
- Director of Liturgy: Lisa Weis (407-647-0726)
- Music Director: Curtis Wallace; Associate: Mark DuVall
- Five-bell 'Gloria in excelsis Deo' carillon — angels/blessed patrons per bell
- First bell cast in France (2015); two more in 2022 (parish 75th anniversary)
Outreach, Social Justice & Christian Service
St. Margaret Mary's Christian Service and Social-Justice apostolate reaches well beyond the parish borders. Through Christian Service — coordinated by Scott Lindeman — the parish supports local organizations and runs international mission partnerships in Haiti, an orphanage in Uganda, and the Dominican Republic. Locally, the parish participates in Family Promise (hosting homeless families), the Elizabeth Ministry (delivering home-cooked meals to families celebrating the birth or adoption of a new baby), Bridging the Color Divide, and other ecumenical initiatives that prompted the City of Winter Park to proclaim October 16 'St. Margaret Mary Day.' Pastoral Care, including funerals and bereavement support, is coordinated by Patrick Demers.
- International mission partnerships: Haiti, Uganda, Dominican Republic
- Family Promise of Greater Orlando
- Elizabeth Ministry (meals after birth/adoption)
- Bridging the Color Divide
- Christian Service / Social Justice — Scott Lindeman
- Pastoral Care / Bereavement / Funerals — Patrick Demers
- City of Winter Park proclaimed Oct. 16 'St. Margaret Mary Day'
Young Adult & Men of the Parish
Two distinct ministries provide targeted community for adults. The Young Adult Ministry, run by Lori Reinneck, gathers for 'Holy Hour to Happy Hour' style events, First Friday Adoration (8:00 AM – 7:00 PM in the Chapel, then social at a local bar/restaurant), and 'Marian Monday' — a weekly rosary outside in the courtyard at 6:45 PM before moving to the chapel. The men's ministry 'Men Answering the Call' (MATC) meets for 5:30 PM Mass followed by fellowship and dinner in the Parish Hall ($15, register online or at the door) and includes an annual Clergy Appreciation Night; contact [email protected] for details. A long-running Neighborhood Apostolate, originally commissioned by Msgr. Wells in 2010, organizes parishioners by neighborhood for prayer, service and discussion.
- Young Adults — Lori Reinneck (Marian Monday, First Friday Adoration, socials)
- Men Answering the Call (MATC) — monthly Mass, fellowship & dinner; Clergy Appreciation Night April 15
- Neighborhood Apostolate — neighborhood-based service and prayer groups
- Rollins College Campus Ministry — Trish Moser
Sacraments
St. Margaret Mary prepares parishioners for and celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Baptism for Infants & Children is arranged through Andrea Cavalere; adult Baptism is usually received through RCIA (Karen Falbo). First Reconciliation and First Communion are celebrated after a year of preparation (2nd grade and up; $50 fee). Confirmation is offered annually for 9th-grade youth (Bela Schmitt) and for adults (Karen Falbo). Marriage preparation is coordinated by Dee-Dee Haggerty. Marlena Templet assists with Annulments and Marriage Convalidations, and Anointing of the Sick is available by request through the Parish Office. Funerals and bereavement support are coordinated by Patrick Demers.
- Baptism (Infants & Children) — Andrea Cavalere, 407-998-5678
- Baptism / RCIA (Adults) — Karen Falbo, 407-644-6812
- First Reconciliation & First Communion — Michelle Tyson
- Confirmation (Youth 9th grade) — Bela Schmitt, 407-998-5660
- Confirmation (Adults) — Karen Falbo
- Marriage — Dee-Dee Haggerty, 407-998-5654
- Annulments & Convalidations — Marlena Templet, 407-998-5657
- Anointing of the Sick — call Parish Office, 407-647-3392
- Funerals / Bereavement — Patrick Demers, 407-647-3392
Parish Staff & Becoming a Member
Day-to-day operations are led by Director of Operations Scott Brogan and Office Manager Dee-Dee Haggerty, supported by Andrea Cavalere and Sue Collins. Finance is handled by Concetta Timmes (the new bulletin lists Juliana Escobar). Pastoral Care, Stewardship and Funerals are led by Patrick Demers. Ministries staff include Karen Falbo (Adult Faith Formation), Michelle Tyson (Children's Faith Formation), Bela Schmitt (Youth Ministry / Confirmation), Peyton Kuhlman (High-School Life Teen), Sandi Hagan (Youth Ministry), Lori Reinneck (Family Ministries / Young Adults), Lisa Weis (Liturgy), Curtis Wallace and Mark DuVall (Music), Nick Balabanski (Technology / Communication / Live Stream) and Patrick Hayes (Facilities/Grounds). The parish school is led by Principal Kathleen Walsh. To register as a member, families can visit the Parish Office 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, complete a form at the Sunday information cart, or download the registration form online and bring it to Mass.
- Director of Operations: Scott Brogan (689-273-9109)
- Office Manager: Dee-Dee Haggerty (407-998-5654)
- Finance: Concetta Timmes / Juliana Escobar (407-998-5671)
- Technology / Live Stream: Nick Balabanski (407-998-5662)
- Facilities/Grounds: Patrick Hayes
- School Principal: Katie Walsh (407-644-7537)
- Parish Office Phone: 407-647-3392 — Fax 407-647-4492
- Membership: in person at the office, or download the registration form from stmargaretmary.org/become-a-member
The Bells of St. Margaret Mary — A Carrilon Story
St. Margaret Mary is one of very few parishes in the Diocese of Orlando to ring real bells (the practice of ringing actual bells in church was endorsed by Pope Sabian in 640). The first bell — cast in France — was blessed by Bishop John Noonan on October 18, 2015, and installed in the new bell tower on October 22, 2015. Two more bells were added in 2022 by parishioners Michael and Aimee Kakos, who grew up hearing distant church bells in rural Pennsylvania and lived for 46 years in London. On October 16, 2022 — the parish's 75th anniversary and the feast of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque — Bishop Noonan and Msgr. Walsh blessed the final two bells, completing a five-bell peal called the 'Gloria in excelsis Deo' (taken from the In Festis Apostolorum chant) and totaling more than 1,000 pounds of solid bronze.
- Bell 1: St. Margaret Mary Alacoque — 'Come to me, all you who labor…' (Mt 11:28–29)
- Bell 2: St. Michael the Archangel — 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God…' (Lk 10:27)
- Bell 3: St. Agnes of Rome — 'God is love.' (1 Jn 4:8)
- Bell 4: St. George — 'I am the good shepherd…' (Jn 10:14)
- Bell 5: Blessed Aimee Bouteiller — 'Blessed are the peacemakers…' (Mt 5:9)
- Five-bell 'Gloria in excelsis Deo' peal — total weight > 1,000 lbs solid bronze
- First bell: cast in France; bells 4 & 5 donated by Michael and Aimee Kakos
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Felix Swemberghpre-1924 (resident mission priest from St. James Cathedral)
Served Catholics in Winter Park from Orlando/St. James before the mission church was built.
- Father Daniel C. Hegarty1947 (first pastor at canonical erection)
Appointed first pastor when the mission was canonically established as a parish on Nov. 5, 1947. Described as bringing 'much experience in the Florida parishes, and an affable and fatherly personality.'
- Father Raymond M. Amiropost-Hegarty
Became pastor of St. Margaret Mary after Fr. Hegarty.
- Father John P. Lawlor1958 (per parish history timeline)
Became pastor in 1958.
- Father John BluettJune (post-Lawlor, pre-1985)
Became pastor in June; led the parish through construction of the new 1969 church.
- Father (later Monsignor) John F. Wells1985–c.1989
Became pastor in 1985. Later commissioned the Neighborhood Apostolate in February 2010 (during associate/retired role) and celebrated his Golden Jubilee of priesthood in 2019.
- Msgr. Richard M. WalshAugust 20 (late 1980s) – present (2025)
Became pastor on August 20. Served as Diocesan Administrator in 2010 between Bishop Noonan's appointment and installation (Dec. 16, 2010). On June 28, 2019 Pope Francis elevated him to Chaplain of His Holiness with the title 'Monsignor.' On April 15, 2019 he celebrated 50 years in the priesthood. As of 2025 he is named Vicar General of the Diocese of Orlando. Has served the parish for 35+ years.
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