About St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church · Eustis, Florida
St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church is a diverse, bilingual (English/Spanish) Catholic parish in Eustis, Florida, belonging to the Diocese of Orlando. Founded in 1912 and serving Lake County for over a century, the parish now includes roughly 1,825 registered families and 4,594 recorded members on a five-acre campus of eight buildings. Its mission — 'to study God's Word, worship joyfully, celebrate fellowship, harmonize our ministries, and care for our neighbors' — is lived out through daily and weekend Masses, an extensive Faith Formation program for all ages, and a large network of pastoral, liturgical, and outreach ministries.
- Established
- 1912
- Patron
- Blessed Virgin Mary (named 'St. Mary' at the request of a $1,500 donor)
- Rector
- Fr. Carlos Bedoya
- Diocese
- Diocese of Orlando
Why belong here
St. Mary of the Lakes is one of the oldest Catholic parishes in Lake County, with a 110+ year tradition of worship on the same Eustis campus — and a strikingly active present: more than 4,500 members served by dozens of ministries, a bilingual Mass schedule, and a five-acre campus with eight buildings including its own free medical and dental clinic and St. Vincent de Paul food pantry. Newcomers are welcomed through a formal hospitality ministry, and the parish actively develops new programs (Legion of Mary, Catholic parenting, grief and divorce support, boys' and girls' clubs) — making it a place where a newcomer can both join a long-standing Catholic community and help shape its future.
Mass times at St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 7:15 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am
- Saturday: 3:00–3:45 pm
- Anytime by appointment (call the parish office)
Adoration times
- First Friday: Exposition & Adoration 8:30 am – 12:00 noon, followed by Benediction at 12:00 noon
History of St. Mary of the Lakes
St. Mary of the Lakes traces its roots to 1890, when Philadelphia native Charles Megargee became the first known Catholic in Eustis. For years he and fellow Philadelphian Jerry Ott drove the unpaved roads to Sanford for Mass at All Souls Church. Father Fox began the Eustis station in 1906 with Mass in Megargee's home; by 1911 the community was made a mission of All Souls and land was purchased at Grove and Badger Streets. A $1,500 donor asked that the new wooden, stuccoed church be named 'St. Mary'; Bishop Kenny dedicated it on January 28, 1912 — debt-free on its very first day thanks to gifts from non-Catholic neighbors. The church seated just 50 worshippers, drawn from about a dozen Catholic families.
- 1890 — First Catholic, Charles Megargee, arrives in Eustis from Philadelphia
- 1906 — Father Fox begins the Eustis station, celebrating Mass in Megargee's home
- Sept. 22, 1911 — Cornerstone laid at Grove and Badger Streets
- Jan. 28, 1912 — Bishop Kenny dedicates St. Mary of the Lakes
- 1927 — Rev. William Humphries becomes the first resident priest
- June 1936 — Rev. Patrick Doyle enlarges the church to seat 285–300
- May 1941 — Mission established to the south in Clermont (later Blessed Sacrament)
- Jan. 1948 — Sodality of Our Lady formed
- 1951 — Sisters of Christian Doctrine arrive from New York to teach religion
- June 17, 1954 — St. Mary of the Lakes raised to parish status
- 1961 — Mission begun in Apopka (Seminole County)
- 1968 — Becomes the sixth parish of the new Diocese of Orlando
- 1969 — Mission begun in Mount Dora (becomes St. Patrick Parish in 1970)
- Nov. 6, 1977 — Cornerstone laid for the current dove-shaped Spanish-architecture church
- Easter 1979 — New church completed
- 1986 — Fr. Antonio Pons becomes first Spanish-speaking pastor; Parish Center and rectory completed 1988
- 1993 — Spanish Mass added to the weekend schedule; Hispanic office opens 1994
- 1999 — Present office building erected at Ocklawaha & Grove; waterfall added to the grotto
- 2014 — Fr. Joseph Bellerive, J.C.D. named 15th pastor
- Dec. 2, 2018 — Fr. Carlos Bedoya appointed 16th pastor
Parish Mission & Identity
The parish's published mission statement reads: 'St. Mary of the Lakes Catholic Church is a diverse community that studies God's Word to enkindle a deeper faith, worships joyfully, celebrates fellowship, harmonizes our ministries, and cares for our neighbors.' This statement is reflected in the bilingual Mass schedule, the breadth of ministries, and the parish's investment in direct outreach through its food pantry and free medical/dental clinic.
- Diverse, bilingual English/Spanish Catholic community
- Five-acre campus with eight buildings in Eustis, Lake County
- Approximately 1,825 registered families and 4,594 recorded members
Devotions & Personal Prayer
Beyond the Mass schedule, St. Mary of the Lakes maintains a rich devotional life rooted in traditional Catholic piety — Marian and Sacred Heart devotions, perpetual novena to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and First Saturday/First Friday observances.
- First Friday Devotion — Mass 8:00 am, Adoration 8:30 am–12:00 noon, Benediction 12:00 noon
- First Saturday Devotion — Rosary 10:00 am in front of the church
- Rosary 30 minutes before every Mass
- Spanish Rosary every Monday at 7:00 pm
- Divine Mercy Chaplet on Fridays after daily Mass
- Perpetual Novena to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
- Church open for personal prayer Monday–Friday, 7:30 am–12:00 noon (front door)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Mary of the Lakes is described as 'a form of evangelization to children, youth, and adults, which celebrates, teaches, and witnesses to the Gospel message.' Classes meet for all ages, with sacramental preparation classes, Bible studies, retreats, and group meetings. Registration is handled through the parish office.
- Open to all ages — children, youth, and adults
- Sacramental preparation (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation)
- Bible studies, retreats, and group meetings
- Catechetical Director: Monica Vega (ext. 203) — [email protected]
- Registration via the parish office at (352) 483-3500
Liturgical Ministries
A wide range of liturgical roles support the parish's bilingual worship schedule, with separate English and Hispanic music groups.
- Altar Servers
- Sacristans
- Audio/Visual
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Music — Choir and Hispanic Music
- Readers
- Ushers
- Liturgy Committee
Pastoral Ministries, Organizations & Outreach
The parish lists more than twenty distinct ministries and outreach organizations — a measure of its active lay life. Several also serve as fundraising engines for the parish's charitable works (food pantry, clinic, thrift shop).
- New Parishioner Hospitality
- Bereavement Ministry
- Charismatic Prayer Group
- Hispanic Ministry
- Juan XXIII Movement
- Knights of Columbus
- Ministry to the Sick
- St. Mary's Catholic Women Group
- Pastoral Council
- Prayer Blanket Ministry
- Respect Life
- St. Joseph Ministry (Grounds Beautification)
- Office Volunteers
- Count Team, E-Giving, Finance Committee
- Youth Stewardship
St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, St. Luke's Clinic & St. Mary's Thrift Shop
Direct service to the wider Eustis community is anchored by three signature outreach arms: the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, St. Luke's Free Medical and Dental Clinic, and St. Mary's Thrift Shop. Annual fundraisers such as the Walk for the Poor and the Life Choice Women's Clinic Walk for Life support these ministries.
- St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
- St. Luke's Free Medical and Dental Clinic
- St. Mary's Thrift Shop
- Annual: Walk for the Poor, Life Choice Walk for Life, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Providence, Thrift Store Garage Sale, Pet Blessing, various Festivals
Gifts for the Soul & St. Mary's Museum
Alongside material outreach, the parish maintains 'Gifts for the Soul' and the St. Mary's Museum — keeping the parish's 110+ year history accessible to visitors and parishioners alike.
- Gifts for the Soul
- St. Mary's Museum
Programs in Development
The parish has publicly listed new programs it hopes to implement in the year ahead, inviting parishioners to help launch them.
- NFP (Natural Family Planning) Training
- Grief Support
- Divorce Support
- Mom's Group
- Catholic Parenting
- Blue Knights Boys Club
- Little Flowers Girls Club
- Legion of Mary
- Catholic Stewardship
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by its 16th pastor, Fr. Carlos Bedoya, and assisted by Deacon James G. (Jim) Shelley. A small office team handles reception, operations, faith formation, the bulletin, and maintenance.
- Pastor — Fr. Carlos Bedoya (ext. 204) — [email protected]
- Deacon — James G. (Jim) Shelley (ext. 201) — [email protected]
- Catechetical Director — Monica Vega (ext. 203) — [email protected]
- Operations Manager — Tamara Silva (ext. 202) — [email protected]
- Bulletin Editor — Melina Gonzalez (ext. 201) — [email protected]
- Receptionist — Iris Perez (ext. 200) — [email protected]
- Office Volunteers — Ray Klein, Barbara Bullard, Cathy Wegner
- Housekeeping — Maria Diaz
- Maintenance — Angel Garcia
Visiting, Contact & Office Hours
The parish office is open Monday–Thursday 8:30 am–4:00 pm and Friday 8:30 am–12:00 noon. The church itself is open Monday–Friday 7:30 am–12:00 noon for personal prayer.
- Address: 218 Ocklawaha Avenue, Eustis, FL 32726
- Phone: 352-483-3500 — Fax: 352-483-1370
- General email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 am–4:00 pm; Fri 8:30 am–12:00 noon
- Church open for personal prayer: Mon–Fri 7:30 am–12:00 noon (front door)
- Online parish registration form available on the parish website
Joining the Parish
New parishioners can register online through the parish website (parish-registration page) or by calling the office; families with children are asked to call (352) 483-3500 to add children to their registration. The New Parishioner Hospitality ministry welcomes newcomers.
- Online registration form on stmaryofthelakesparish.org
- Call (352) 483-3500 to add children to a registration
- New Parishioner Hospitality Ministry
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Carlos Bedoya2018–present
16th Pastor of St. Mary of the Lakes
- Fr. Joseph Bellerive, J.C.D.2014–2018
15th Pastor; also Adjutant Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Orlando and an opera singer who gave a classical concert for the parish's 103rd anniversary
- Fr. Gilbert Medina2010–2014
14th Pastor
- Msgr. Manuel A. (surname truncated in source)
Earlier pastor
- Rev. Michael Hannon17-year pastorate (ended ~1986)
Led the building campaign that produced the current dove-shaped church; began St. Patrick mission in Mount Dora
- Fr. Manuel Fernandez1992–
Added Spanish Mass to the weekend schedule in 1993; opened the Hispanic office in 1994
- Fr. Antonio Pons1986–1992
First Spanish-speaking pastor; completed the Parish Center and rectory in 1988
- Rev. William Trainor
Started the Mount Dora mission that became St. Patrick Parish
- Rev. Michael Reynolds1957–1964
Reached out to Apopka, beginning Sunday liturgies there
- Rev. Charles Anderson1952–1955
In residence when St. Mary of the Lakes was raised to parish status on June 17, 1954
- Rev. Patrick Doyle1933–1940
Enlarged the church in June 1936 to seat 285–300
- Rev. William Humphries1927–
First resident priest of the mission