St. Margaret

History

Catholic life in Jefferson County dates back to at least December 1862, when Bishop Augustin Verot of Savannah celebrated Mass in the area for scattered Catholic families. What would become St. Margaret Catholic Church began as a mission shortly before Christmas in the cold winter of 1907, with Masses held in the Jefferson County Courthouse and private homes. As the congregation grew, a deed for land at the northwest corner of Washington and Water Streets was signed in January 1916, and construction of a small chapel was completed in 1917. That original chapel — at 420 W. Washington St. — still stands and is now the home of the Monticello–Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce.

• December 1862 — first documented Mass in Monticello, celebrated by Bishop Augustin Verot out of Savannah, GA
• 1907 — mission worship begins shortly before Christmas
• January 1916 — deed signed for chapel property at Washington and Water Streets
• 1917 — first dedicated chapel completed
• 1967 — mission canonically erected as a parish, dedicated to Saint Margaret of Scotland
• August 1968 — parish entrusted to the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (O.M.I.)
• January 1972 — first Confirmation celebrated at the parish
• October 1974 — current sanctuary dedicated
• 1975 — Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee erected
• 1976 — first Confirmation in the new sanctuary, under the new diocese

Patron Saint: Saint Margaret of Scotland

The parish is named for Saint Margaret of Scotland (c. 1045–1093), a Scottish princess and queen consort of King Malcolm III who is remembered for her deep charity to the poor, her patronage of the Church, and her work reforming religious life in Scotland. Her feast day is November 16, and she has long been honored as a model of service to those in need — a charism the parish continues through its outreach ministries.

Ministries and Outreach

St. Margaret connects its parishioners to the wider Catholic community through parish ministries and outreach. The pastor's concurrent assignment at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Madison reflects the parish's engagement with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul tradition of service to those in need. The parish also supports bilingual liturgical ministry to serve both English- and Spanish-speaking Catholics in Jefferson County.

• Society of St. Vincent de Paul connection (through the pastor's Madison parish)
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) liturgical ministry
• Parish faith formation (implied; specific programs not publicly listed)

Clergy and Staff

The parish is currently served by Father Dominic Dat Tran as pastor. He simultaneously serves as pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Madison, a common arrangement in rural parishes of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee.

• Father Dominic Dat Tran — Pastor (also pastor of St. Vincent de Paul, Madison)

Diocese

St. Margaret is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, which was erected in 1975 from the western counties of the former Diocese of St. Augustine. The diocese covers the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend region, including Jefferson County.

Visiting

Visitors are warmly welcomed at St. Margaret's bilingual liturgies. Those traveling from outside the area are encouraged to call the parish office at (850) 973-2428 to confirm current Mass, confession, and adoration times, especially the First Saturday schedule.

• Office phone: (850) 973-2428
• Spanish-language Mass available Sundays at 5:00 PM