About St. Mary Our Lady of Grace · Saint Petersburg, Florida
St. Mary Our Lady of Grace is a historic Roman Catholic parish in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, recognized as the first Catholic parish established in the city. Founded in 1920 and organized formally in 1922, the parish is a well-known downtown landmark whose current church building, completed in 1929, was modeled after San Stefano Church in Rome and features distinctive Byzantine and Romanesque elements. Since 1988 the parish has been staffed by Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular (T.O.R.) of Saint Francis of Penance, and today is led by Fr. Damian Amantia, T.O.R., the parish's ninth pastor. The parish is known for its legacy of outreach — especially through the founding of Daystar Life Center in 1982 — and for serving the surrounding hospitals, the homebound, and refugee families in the heart of the city.
- Established
- 1920
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title Our Lady of Grace
- Rector
- Rev. Damian-Vincent Amantia, T.O.R.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Saint Petersburg
Why belong here
St. Mary Our Lady of Grace offers Catholics in downtown St. Petersburg a rare combination: a century-old landmark church modeled after a Roman basilica, daily and weekend Masses, and a Franciscan (T.O.R.) pastoral team that emphasizes outreach. The parish is home to a welcoming OCIA process for those exploring Catholicism, a daily Rosary after Monday morning Mass, a Men's Brotherhood with monthly Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction, a thriving Legion of Mary praesidium, Bible study, the Voices of Grace choir, and active lay liturgical ministries (altar server, lector, EMHC, hospitality). Surrounded by hospitals and downtown need, the parish carries forward a strong social mission — through its founding of the Daystar Life Center in 1982, ongoing refugee accompaniment, prison and jail ministry, and care for the sick and homebound.
Mass times at St. Mary Our Lady of Grace
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Adoration times
- First Wednesday of each month, 7:00–8:30 PM — Eucharistic Adoration & Benediction in the church (following the Brotherhood of Our Lady men's group meeting in the parish hall)
Our Story & Heritage
St. Mary Our Lady of Grace is the first Catholic parish established in St. Petersburg, Florida. Before the parish was founded in 1920, priests from Tampa crossed Tampa Bay by boat to celebrate Sunday Mass at a local hotel. The parish community has always been described as diverse and eclectic — 'people from varying backgrounds, ethnicities, and ages joined together to celebrate Mass as a faith-filled people,' in the words of the current pastor. Its downtown location, amid a cluster of hospitals, has shaped a long tradition of outreach to the sick and homebound. The parish celebrated its 100th anniversary in the early 2020s.
- First Catholic parish in St. Petersburg, founded 1920 (diocese records list 1922 as the founding year)
- Known as the 'Mother Church of St. Petersburg'
- Current church building completed 1929
- Daystar Life Center outreach ministry founded here in 1982
The Church Building
Completed in 1929 to accommodate the growing parish, the church is a well-known downtown landmark. Its exterior was modeled after San Stefano Church in Rome, and its design incorporates distinctive Byzantine and Romanesque features. The building stands at 515 4th Street South.
- Exterior modeled after San Stefano Church in Rome
- Byzantine and Romanesque architectural features
- Well-known landmark in downtown St. Petersburg
Franciscan (T.O.R.) Heritage
From 1988 to the present day, the parish has been administered by the Franciscan Friars, T.O.R. — the Third Order Regular of Saint Francis of Penance. This Franciscan character shapes the parish's identity: 'a place of compassion and outreach, reflecting the Gospel values of St. Francis himself,' as Fr. Amantia described the parish at its centennial.
- Parish entrusted to the T.O.R. Friars in 1988
- Reflects the Gospel values of Saint Francis in outreach and worship
Clergy & Staff
The parish clergy team is led by the pastor and currently includes a parochial vicar and a friar in residence, along with two assigned deacons who assist with parish ministry.
- Rev. Damian-Vincent Amantia, T.O.R. — Pastor
- Rev. Laurence Uhlman, T.O.R. — Parochial Vicar
- Rev. James V. Gigliotti, T.O.R. — In Residence
- Deacon Michael Menchen — Assigned
- Deacon Richard Santello — Assigned
Rosary Mondays
Every Monday after the 8:00 AM Mass, parishioners gather in the front right-side pews to pray the Rosary together. Rosaries are provided as gifts for newcomers and anyone unfamiliar with the prayers is warmly welcomed and guided.
- After the 8:00 AM Monday Mass, in the front right-side pews
Explore the Catholic Faith (OCIA)
The parish runs the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) — the Church's process for adults exploring Catholicism, seeking baptism, confirmation, or full communion with the Catholic Church. The group meets most Sundays for about 75 minutes after the 11:00 AM Mass in the Parish Center, with prayer, discussion of the Sunday Gospel and Catholic topics, water/coffee/tea provided, and an age-diverse, 'come-and-see' atmosphere. Sponsors from the parish walk alongside candidates or catechumens as spiritual mentors.
- OCIA meets most Sundays at 12:15 PM in the Parish Center (after the 11:00 AM Mass)
- No obligation to join — come and see
- Contact: Faith Formation Director Lynn Doto — 727-409-1392
- Volunteer role: Sponsors for OCIA
Sacraments
The parish prepares Catholics for the three Sacraments of Initiation — Baptism (which cleanses from original sin and welcomes into the Christian community), Confirmation (the Holy Spirit's strengthening for living the faith courageously), and the Eucharist (receiving Christ's body, blood, soul and divinity under the forms of bread and wine). Through OCIA, adults can prepare for any of these sacraments of initiation together.
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Eucharist (Holy Communion)
Community Life & Lay Groups
The parish's Community & Connection page describes the parish as a place of active lay spirituality, with groups for men, women, students, and anyone who wants to grow in Scripture and prayer.
- Legion of Mary
- Brotherhood of Our Lady (Men's Group)
- Bible Study (Wednesday and Saturday mornings)
- Rosary Mondays
- USF St. Petersburg student outreach
Legion of Mary
The Legion of Mary at St. Mary's is a Catholic lay apostolic organization whose twofold purpose is the spiritual formation of its members and devotion and evangelization in the Church through Mary the Mother of God. Founded in Dublin in 1921, the Legion is present in over 160 countries with more than 3 million active members. St. Mary's Legion has hosted over 700 weekly meetings. Meetings are held every Thursday at 1:30 PM in the parish office building (the Legion's own webpage also references Tuesday mornings, 10:30 AM–Noon). Active members attend weekly meetings; auxiliary members pray along from home.
- Weekly Thursday meetings, 1:30 PM, parish office building
- Active and auxiliary membership available
- Members serve by bringing others to Mass, visiting the sick, bringing Holy Communion to the homebound, community outreach to the homeless, and prison ministry
- Contact: Jim Gillis, 727-564-1733
Brotherhood of Our Lady (Men's Group)
Calling all Saint Mary's men! The Brotherhood invites men to strengthen their faith and help each other become better men and role models. The group meets on the first Wednesday of each month from 7:00–8:30 PM in the parish hall for spiritual discussions and faith sharing, followed by Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction in the church.
- First Wednesday of each month, 7:00–8:30 PM, parish hall
- Contact: Mark Egeling — [email protected]
Bible Study
The parish offers weekday Bible study, framed as 'a lifelong journey of learning to love God and our neighbor… made even more enjoyable when done in the company of friends and family.' Sessions meet Wednesday and/or Saturday mornings; current offerings and registration are listed in the bulletin.
- Wednesday and/or Saturday morning sessions
- Contact: Lynn Doto — [email protected] or 727-409-1392
USF St. Petersburg Students
The parish extends a particular welcome to students at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus, inviting them to make the church a 'home away from home' for exploring their faith and growing spiritually.
Music Ministry — Voices of Grace
The Voices of Grace is the primary music ministry of Saint Mary's. The choir is open to everyone regardless of age or experience — the only requirement is attendance at Thursday night rehearsals at 7:00 PM in the Parish Center.
- Rehearsals: Thursday evenings, 7:00 PM, Parish Center
- Open to all ages and experience levels
Liturgical Ministries (Volunteer)
The parish encourages all members to volunteer, and an online Volunteer page lists active parish ministries along with sign-ups for liturgical roles.
- Altar Serving
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC)
- Hospitality Ministry (Greeters/Ushers)
- Reader Ministry (Lectors)
- Music Ministry/Choir (Voices of Grace)
- Sponsors for OCIA
- Jail & Prison Ministry (through the Diocese of Saint Petersburg)
Outreach & Social Mission
A defining feature of the parish — under both Msgr. McNulty and the Franciscan friars — has been its outreach to the surrounding community. Today the parish pairs a hands-on refugee ministry with sacramental care of the sick and homebound, in addition to supporting the legacy Daystar Life Center.
- Refugee outreach (started in 2019) accompanies 90+ refugees toward self-sufficiency
- Sacramental care for the hospitalized and homebound (multiple hospitals are nearby)
- Jail & Prison Ministry through the Diocese of Saint Petersburg
- Legion of Mary — visits to the sick and homebound, ministry to the homeless
Daystar Life Center (Outreach Legacy)
Daystar Life was founded in 1982 as an outreach ministry of Saint Mary Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, under Msgr. John P. McNulty, starting in the parish basement as a place to receive help with food and clothes. It was originally named Daystar Life Center. Daystar now operates as an independent nonprofit with a healthy food pantry, clothing provisions, hygiene essentials, emergency financial assistance, utility and rent assistance, transportation aid, and mail service for those without a permanent address. Today the parish describes Sister Alice Belanger as its outreach director, continuing this legacy of care.
- Founded 1982 by Msgr. John P. McNulty in the parish basement
- Provides food, clothing, hygiene items, financial assistance, bus passes, mail service
- Outreach director at the parish: Sister Alice Belanger
Visit & Contact
The parish office is at 515 4th Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM; the office is closed on Fridays, weekends, and holidays. The parish can be reached by phone at (727) 896-2191 (fax 727-895-6279). The church is centrally located in downtown St. Petersburg, surrounded by major hospitals.
- Address: 515 4th Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
- Phone: (727) 896-2191
- Fax: (727) 895-6279
- Office hours: Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM–3:00 PM (closed Fridays, weekends, and holidays)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. James J. O'Riordan, STL1920–1941
Founding pastor; established the parish and early Catholic life in St. Petersburg.
- Msgr. Patrick J. Donahue1941–1968
- Msgr. James Gloeckler1968–1972
- Msgr. John P. McNulty1972–1986
Opened parish as a cold-night shelter and soup kitchen; founded Daystar Life Center in 1982 in the parish basement.
- Rev. John Colgan1986–1988
- Rev. Bernardine J. Smith, T.O.R.1988–2002
First Franciscan T.O.R. pastor after the parish was entrusted to the Third Order Regular.
- Rev. Luke Robertson, T.O.R.2003–2005
- Rev. Cletus M.S. Watson, T.O.R.2005–2012
- Rev. Damian-Vincent Amantia, T.O.R.2012–present
Ninth pastor; launched parish refugee outreach accompanying 90+ refugees; oversaw centennial year.