About St. Mary, Mother of God · Bunnell, Florida
St. Mary, Mother of God Catholic Church is a historic parish in Bunnell, Florida, serving as the Mother Church for all Catholic parishes in Flagler County. Founded in 1914 by Polish immigrants who settled in the Korona area, it is the oldest Catholic parish in Flagler County. Today the parish offers Mass in both English and Polish, reflecting its Polish-Catholic heritage while welcoming a broader community. It belongs to the Diocese of St. Augustine and is pastored by Father Rafal Mazurowski.
- Established
- 1914
- Patron
- St. Mary, Mother of God (Blessed Virgin Mary)
- Rector
- Rev. Rafal Mazurowski
- Diocese
- Diocese of St. Augustine
Why belong here
St. Mary, Mother of God is the historic Mother Church of Flagler County — founded by Polish immigrants in 1914 and still active more than a century later. Parishioners worship in a beautiful church seating 300 and have access to a wide range of ministries from the Women's Club and Men of St. Mary, to the St. Mary Thrift Shop, Rosary Makers, Respect Life, Polish Ministry, OCIA, and faith formation for youth and adults. With daily Mass, Saturday Vigil, three Sunday Masses including a Polish-language Mass, weekday Eucharistic Adoration, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and ongoing outreach through the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, it is a place where the Catholic faith has been held unbroken for over a hundred years.
Mass times at St. Mary, Mother of God
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday: 8:30 to 8:45 a.m.
- Saturday: 3:00 to 3:45 p.m.
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament)
- First Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament)
- Friday: 9:00 a.m. (Chaplet of Divine Mercy)
Parish History
The parish was founded in 1914 when a group of devoutly Catholic Polish immigrants relocated from the American midwest to the rural northern part of Volusia County (which became part of newly formed Flagler County in 1917) in what was later known as the City of Korona. The parish was transferred to the Diocese of St. Augustine in 1954 and is recognized as the Mother Church of all Catholic parishes in Flagler County.
- 1914 — Parish founded by Polish immigrants
- 1917 — Area becomes part of Flagler County
- 1954 — Transferred to the Diocese of St. Augustine
- 1964 — 50th Anniversary celebrated with Solemn Pontifical Mass
- 1974–1977 — Father Cody reorganizes cemetery and builds St. Elizabeth Ann Seton; parish name simplified to St. Mary Catholic Church
- 1979 — Father Bayer arrives; helps parish become self-sustaining
- 1989 — 75th Anniversary celebrated
- 1990 — Current church (300 seats) completed under Fr. O'Flaherty; original church preserved
- 2003 — Carmelite Fathers from St. Joseph Carmelite Monastery begin serving
- 2014 — 100th Anniversary celebrated with Bishop Estevez and former pastors
- 2018 — Diocesan priest Father Slawek assigned by Bishop Estevez
- 2020 — Father Rafal Mazurowski becomes pastor
- 2022 — Food pantry and outreach transferred to Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Flagler
Mass & Sacraments Schedule
The parish offers daily Mass Tuesday through Friday at 9:00 a.m., a Saturday Vigil at 4:00 p.m., and three Sunday Masses including a Polish-language Mass at 11:00 a.m. Holy Days are observed at 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
- Tue–Fri: 9:00 a.m.
- Sat: 4:00 p.m. (Vigil)
- Sun: 8:00 a.m. (English), 9:30 a.m. (English), 11:00 a.m. (Polish)
- Holy Days: 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Faith Formation & Sacraments
St. Mary prepares children and adults for the Sacraments of Initiation through age-appropriate, multi-year programs. The parish also runs OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for unbaptized catechumens and for baptized candidates seeking Confirmation and First Communion.
- First Holy Communion — two-year course of study (Basic Prayers / God the Father; Year 2 — Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist)
- Youth Confirmation — two-year course for 7th & 8th graders (Year 1: Four Pillars; Year 2: Immediate Preparation)
- Adult Confirmation — 18+; 8-week faith review; requires Baptism and First Communion certificates
- OCIA — Catechumens and Candidates preparing for Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil
Parish Ministries
St. Mary has a deeply rooted tradition of lay involvement. From the sanctuary to outreach to the needy, volunteers from across the parish keep the ministries running and serve the wider Flagler County community.
- Altar Servers
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Lectors
- Sacristans
- Ushers and Greeters
- Organist & Cantor (Music Director: Beth Jurovcik)
- Finance Council
- Parish Council
- Women of St. Mary
- Men of St. Mary
- St. Mary Thrift Shop
- Fellowship / Social
- Christmas Giving Tree
- Rosary Makers
- Homebound
- Seasons of Hope
- Polish Ministry
- Respect Life Ministry
- St. Anne Food Pantry (now under Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Flagler)
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is served by a pastor and two assisting priests, supported by a small office and music staff. (The 2019 Diocesan Directory lists Rev. Slawomir Bielasiewicz as pastor and Deacon John Harvey as deacon; the current parish website lists Rev. Rafal Mazurowski as pastor.)
- Pastor: Rev. Rafal Mazurowski
- Fr. George Sankoorikal
- Fr. Adam Subocz
- Office Administrator: Patricia Almeida
- Secretary: Janet Jones
- Bookkeeper: Deb Wheeler
- Music Director: Beth Jurovcik
Polish Heritage
St. Mary's Polish Catholic roots remain a defining feature of its identity. The parish continues to celebrate a weekly Polish-language Sunday Mass, draws Polish-speaking faithful from across surrounding counties, and supports an active Polish Ministry among its lay organizations.
- Founded in 1914 by Polish immigrants who settled near Korona
- Sunday Polish Mass at 11:00 a.m.
- Polish Ministry listed among parish organizations
- Father Bayer (1979–2002) preserved Polish Mass tradition; had worked with Fr. Karol Wojtyla (later Pope John Paul II)
Outreach & Charity
Throughout its history St. Mary has ministered directly to the needy families of Flagler County. Since 2022 the parish's food pantry and outreach ministry have been entrusted to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Flagler, continuing the parish's long tradition of charity through a dedicated Catholic organization.
- St. Anne Food Pantry (founded under Fr. Slawomir Podsiedlik)
- Outreach Ministry
- St. Mary Thrift Shop
- Christmas Giving Tree
- Homebound Ministry
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Flagler (since 2022)
Visit, Register & Contact
Anyone wishing to join the parish or receive pastoral support can register online or by contacting the office. The parish encourages regular worshippers to register as members of record to facilitate sacramental preparation and parish communications.
- Address: 89 St. Mary's Place, Bunnell, FL 32110
- Mailing: 230 South Old Dixie Highway, Bunnell, FL 32110
- Phone: (386) 437-5098
- Fax: (386) 437-5091
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://www.stmaryccfl.net/
- Facebook: facebook.com/stmaryparishbunnell
- Parish Registration form available on the parish website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Rafal Mazurowski2020–present
Current pastor; welcomed by the parish in 2020.
- Rev. Slawomir Bielasiewicz (Father Slawek)2018–
Diocesan priest assigned by Bishop Estevez in 2018 after the Carmelite Fathers' ten years of service. (Earlier he appears under the name 'Father Slawomir Podsiedlik' in the parish's own history, when he launched many new ministries while serving together with Father Artur from St. Joseph Carmelite Monastery from 2003.)
- Father Slawomir (Podsiedlik), with Father Artur (Carmelites)2003–
Pastored St. Mary alongside Carmelite priests from the nearby St. Joseph Carmelite Monastery; added the Women's Club, Rosary Ministry, St. Anne Food Pantry, Respect Life Ministry, Outreach Ministry, and Thrift Shop.
- Rev. John P. O'Flaherty1990–2003
Also pastor of Santa Maria del Mar; oversaw many improvements to both churches. Retired in 2003.
- Father Bayer1979–2002
Recently retired Polish priest; Polish WWII underground hero who had worked with Father Karol Wojtyla (later Pope John Paul II). Helped St. Mary become self-sustaining and kept the Polish Mass alive.
- Father Julienpost-1977
Replaced Father Cody at St. Mary and Santa Maria del Mar; was assisted by Father Bayer from 1979.
- Father Cody1974–1977
Reorganized the St. Mary Cemetery and built St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Palm Coast.
- Father Diego Conesamid-20th century
Served during a transition period when the parish was struggling and in danger of being relinquished.