About St. Matthew · Jacksonville, Florida
St. Matthew Catholic Church is a Latin-rite parish of the Diocese of St. Augustine located at 1773 Blanding Boulevard in Jacksonville, Florida, on Jacksonville's Westside near the Avondale, Lake Shore, and Ortega neighborhoods. Founded on November 14, 1947 by Father Joseph Corde, the parish has grown to nearly 1,000 registered families and operates a Pre-K3 through 8th-grade Catholic school accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference since 1969. Led since February 2022 by Fr. Pradeep Aerthayil, CMI of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate, the parish community embraces the motto 'one faith, one family' and offers a wide range of liturgies, faith formation, youth programs, and outreach ministries. The current 13-acre campus includes the church, a Catholic school, Schiavone Parish Hall, a gymnasium, and a rectory completed in 2018.
- Established
- 1947
- Patron
- St. Matthew the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Pradeep Aerthayil, CMI
- Diocese
- Diocese of St. Augustine
Why belong here
St. Matthew's offers the full rhythm of a traditional Catholic parish — daily and Sunday Mass, weekly Eucharistic Adoration, Saturday Reconciliation, and a Holy Day schedule — alongside a thriving Pre-K3–8 Catholic school and over 20 active ministries. The community is large enough (nearly 1,000 registered families) to offer rich programming like Life Teen, EDGE middle school youth, RCIA/OCIA, Walking with Purpose, MOMco, Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, a Praise Band, and a school choir, yet rooted in the warm, multigenerational 'one faith, one family' character of Jacksonville's Westside. It's an ideal fit for families seeking Catholic education, young adults looking for vibrant youth ministry, and anyone wanting a parish where the Eucharist is truly at the center.
Mass times at St. Matthew
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Wednesday 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- First Friday of every month 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
History of St. Matthew's
St. Matthew's was officially organized on November 14, 1947, with Father Joseph Corde as the founding pastor. The community first worshipped at the Lake Shore Theater and the American Legion Hall before moving into a relocated Camp Blanding military chapel in 1949. The present church was built in 1955–1956 and dedicated to Archbishop Patrick Joseph Hurley. Through eight pastors — including the 23-year tenure of Monsignor Daniel Hegarty and the 17 years of Father Luke McLoughlin — the parish has grown from 250 founding families to nearly 1,000 today, always with a parish school at its heart.
- 1944 — Diocese of St. Augustine purchases the present Blanding Blvd. site
- 1947 — Parish founded Nov. 14 by Fr. Joseph Corde (~250 families)
- 1949 — First Mass in relocated Camp Blanding chapel (400 families)
- 1950–1951 — Parish Hall, first school wing, and convent built
- 1955–1956 — Present church built; dedicated Dec. 1956
- 1984 — Bishop John Snyder blesses stained-glass windows and school renovations (35th anniversary)
- 1994 — Bishop Snyder dedicates renovated church
- 2009 — Schiavone Parish Hall opens
- 2017 — Church reopens after major renovation; new rectory completed May 2018
Parish Staff
The parish is served by a Carmelite of Mary Immaculate (CMI) pastor, an associate priest, a deacon, and a lay staff handling music, religious education, youth ministry, finance, and school leadership. The office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Rev. Pradeep Aerthayil, CMI — Pastor ([email protected])
- Father Jinto Thomas — Associate Pastor
- Deacon David Yazdiya — runs Adult OCIA (904-318-2711)
- Lindita Kosova — Music Director ([email protected])
- Ryan Neill — Director of Youth Ministry ([email protected], 904-388-1207)
- Melissa Merritt — Administrative Assistant / Director of Religious Education ([email protected], 904-388-8698)
- Joe Schmeier — Business Manager
- J. Kimberly Neill — Finance Manager
- Meagan Dubberly — School Principal ([email protected], 904-387-4401)
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious education is offered for both adults and children. The Adult OCIA process (formerly RCIA) is led by Deacon David Yazdiya and runs Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., mid-September through the Easter Vigil. The Youth OCIA and sacramental preparation programs for K–8 students are directed by Melissa Merritt. CCD classes are held on Sunday mornings (9:35–10:20 a.m.) for grades K–5 and on Wednesday evenings (6:00–7:00 p.m.) for grades 6–8. Confirmation candidates complete sacramental prep classes, a letter to the Bishop, a saint research paper, and 20 hours of service.
- Adult OCIA — Deacon David Yazdiya, 904-318-2711
- Youth OCIA / Sacramental Prep — Melissa Merritt, 904-388-1207
- CCD K–5: Sundays 9:35–10:20 a.m.
- CCD 6–8: Wednesdays 6:00–7:00 p.m.
St. Matthew's Catholic School
St. Matthew's Catholic School serves roughly 250 students from Pre-K3 through 8th grade and has been accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference since 1969, with its most recent re-accreditation awarded in 2021. Under Principal Meagan Dubberly (since 2023), the school has strengthened academics, expanded student support, and renewed its Catholic identity. Technology integration includes Chromebooks for grades 3–8, iPads in PreK–2, and a STREAM Lab (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, and Math) fully updated in 2021. Liturgical life is rich: Friday morning Mass, the Rosary, Stations of the Cross, May Crowning, Adoration, the Parade of Saints, multilingual Rosary recitations, grade-level prayer services, and a Grandparents' Day liturgy.
- Enrollment: ~250 students, Pre-K3 through 8th grade
- Accredited by Florida Catholic Conference since 1969 (re-accredited 2021)
- Principal: Meagan Dubberly (since 2023)
- STREAM Lab updated 2021; Chromebooks grades 3–8, iPads PreK–2
- Schiavone Hall (2009) houses Religious Education offices, school admin, library, and computer lab
- Active PTO and School Board advisory to pastor and principal
Youth Ministry — Life Teen & EDGE
St. Matthew's Youth Ministry, led by Director of Youth Ministry Ryan Neill, runs two complementary programs. EDGE middle school nights (5th–8th grade) meet Fridays from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m. with a relaxed, fun take on Life Teen's EDGE programming. Life Teen for high schoolers (9th–12th) meets monthly on the third Sunday following the 5:00 p.m. Mass, from 6:15 to 8:00 p.m. Adult CORE Team members serve as role models and help build the ministry alongside the Director of Youth Ministry. The program emphasizes service, faith formation, summer trips, and giving teens an active role in parish life.
- EDGE Middle School: Fridays 5:30–7:15 p.m. (5th–8th grade)
- Life Teen High School: 3rd Sunday of the month, 6:15–8:00 p.m. (9th–12th grade)
- Director: Ryan Neill — [email protected], 904-388-1207
- CORE Team adult volunteer opportunity
Parish Ministries & Outreach
Over 20 active ministries give parishioners of every age and stage a way to serve. Liturgical roles include Altar Servers, Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, the Praise Band, and the Liturgy Committee. Outreach is led by the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Respect Life Ministry, Prison Ministry, and Bread of Life. Fellowship and formation include the Bereavement Committee, Coffee and Donuts, Hospitality, Knights of Columbus, MOMco, Walking with Purpose, Young Couples and Families, and Young at Heart.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Knights of Columbus
- Respect Life Ministry
- Prison Ministry
- Bread of Life
- Praise Band
- MOMco
- Walking with Purpose
- Young Couples and Families
- Young at Heart
Music & Liturgy
Music at St. Matthew's is coordinated by Music Director Lindita Kosova and supported by the Liturgy Committee and the parish Praise Band. The church's 2017 renovation included a major pipe-organ upgrade, along with new pews, sound system, and lighting, and the restoration and waterproofing of the historic stained-glass windows installed in the 1980s. Students at St. Matthew's Catholic School participate in Friday morning Mass, the Parade of Saints, May Crowning, and a Grandparents' Day liturgy.
- Music Director: Lindita Kosova ([email protected])
- Praise Band ministry
- Major pipe organ upgrade in 2017 renovation
- Stained-glass windows originally installed by Msgr. Burns; blessed by Bishop Snyder in 1984
Worship, Sacraments & Devotions
In addition to the regular Mass schedule, St. Matthew's keeps a traditional devotional rhythm with weekly Eucharistic Adoration, First Friday Adoration, a parish Rosary ministry, and regular opportunities for the sacrament of Reconciliation. Sacramental preparation is available for Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick, with adult and youth tracks through the OCIA process and the parish school.
- Eucharistic Adoration: Wednesdays, Saturdays, First Fridays
- Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturdays 3:30–4:30 p.m. and by appointment
- Rosary devotion
- OCIA for adults and youth
- Sacramental prep for First Communion, Confirmation, Marriage, Baptism
Campus, Location & Visiting
St. Matthew's sits on 13 acres at 1773 Blanding Boulevard, convenient to the Avondale, Lake Shore, and Ortega neighborhoods of Jacksonville's Westside. The campus includes the church, the Catholic school, the Schiavone Parish Hall (built 2009), the gymnasium, the new rectory (completed 2018), and walking extensions covered in the 2016 capital campaign. The parish office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and visitors are warmly invited to introduce themselves to the pastor or staff after any Mass. Online giving is available through Faith Direct, and a live stream of Masses is offered through the parish website.
- Address: 1773 Blanding Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32210
- Phone: 904-388-8698
- Office hours: Mon–Fri 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- 13-acre campus near Avondale, Lake Shore, and Ortega
- Live-streamed Masses via stmatthewsjax.com
- Online giving through Faith Direct
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Joseph Corde1947–1953
Organized and founded the parish on November 14, 1947; oversaw first chapel, school, hall, and convent.
- Fr. Paul Manning1953–1955
Launched the campaign to build a larger church; transferred to St. Petersburg for health reasons.
- Bishop Thomas McDonough (Administrator)1955–1957
Remained pastor of St. Paul's in Jacksonville Beach while supervising construction of the present church.
- Fr. Daniel Hegarty1957–1980
Longest-tenured pastor (23 years); celebrated his golden jubilee of ordination before retiring.
- Monsignor John P. Burns1980–1994
Renovated the convent, installed ten stained-glass windows, renovated the school; served 14 years.
- Fr. Luke McLoughlin1994–2011
Served 17 years; oversaw the 2005–2009 capital campaign that built Schiavone Parish Hall.
- Fr. Jose Kulathinal, CMI2011–2022
Led the 2016 Capital Campaign, 2017 church renovation, and 2018 rectory build; transferred to Holy Faith Parish, Gainesville.
- Fr. Pradeep Aerthayil, CMI2022–present
Current pastor; continues to grow the parish community under the motto 'one faith, one family.'