About St. Paul Catholic Church · Leesburg, Florida
St. Paul Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Leesburg, Florida, belonging to the Diocese of Orlando. The parish traces its roots to 1915, when a priest from Sanford began celebrating Mass in the Fruitland Park summer cottage of a Michigan family, and was formally established in Leesburg in 1952 with the dedication of a church on Sunshine Avenue. Today it serves more than 2,600 households with a full schedule of English and Spanish Masses, a parish school (Pre-K4 through 8th grade), a Thrift & Gift Store, a Food Pantry, an active Hispanic Ministry, and dozens of lay ministries. The current church building was completed in 1977 and renovated in 2015–2016.
- Established
- 1954
- Patron
- St. Paul the Apostle
- Rector
- Fr. Joseph T.M. Tran (Parochial Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Orlando
Why belong here
St. Paul is a large, active, bilingual parish with more than 2,600 households that has served the Leesburg area for over 70 years. It offers daily and weekend Mass in both English and Spanish, weekly Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction, a robust sacramental life, a Pre-K4 through 8th-grade Catholic school, a Food Pantry that distributes thousands of pounds of food each year, a Thrift & Gift Store that supports outreach, and ministries for every age and stage of life — from OCIA and faith formation to youth, young adults, Knights of Columbus, Council of Catholic Women, music ministry, and Respect Life. Whether you are a long-time Catholic, a returning parishioner, or a newcomer to the area, there is a place to belong, serve, and grow here.
Mass times at St. Paul Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesdays after 8:30 am Mass
- Saturdays 2:30–3:30 pm
Adoration times
- Fridays after 8:30 am Mass, with Benediction at 12:00 pm (noon)
Our History
St. Paul Catholic Church's history stretches back to August 1915, when Father J.J. O'Riordan of Sanford began celebrating Mass in the Fruitland Park summer cottage of Mr. and Mrs. Martell of St. Joseph, Michigan. A church was built in Fruitland Park in 1921, holding mission status, and in 1949 Father William O'Farrell purchased land in Leesburg along Sunshine Avenue. Groundbreaking was held on February 18, 1951, and Archbishop Joseph P. Hurley of St. Augustine dedicated the new Leesburg parish on March 2, 1952. The parish school opened in 1961 but closed in 1969; the present sanctuary was completed in November 1977 and renovated in 2015–2016. The parishes of St. Lawrence (Bushnell) and St. Timothy (Lady Lake) both grew out of St. Paul's missionary work.
- 1915 — First Masses celebrated in Fruitland Park summer cottage by Fr. O'Riordan
- 1921 — Mission church completed in Fruitland Park
- 1949 — Land purchased on Sunshine Avenue in Leesburg
- 1951 — Groundbreaking celebrated by Fr. George Cummings
- 1952 — Solemn dedication by Archbishop Joseph P. Hurley
- 1961 — Parochial school opened (two-story building)
- 1969 — School closed due to funding and administration problems
- 1976 — Groundbreaking for the present church
- 1977 — Sanctuary completed (November)
- 1988 — Sudden death of Fr. Philip Stegeman during church renovation
- 2015–2016 — Major renovation produced today's worship space
- Daughter parishes: St. Lawrence (Bushnell) and St. Timothy (Lady Lake)
Meet Our Clergy & Staff
St. Paul is currently led by Parochial Administrator Fr. Joseph T.M. Tran, along with Parochial Vicar Fr. Augustine Vazhavila and Fr. Gianni Agostinelli, who serves the Hispanic Ministry. They are assisted by two deacons, Michael Balchus and Michael Dordan, and a large lay and religious staff including a Business Manager, Campus Director of Evangelization & Discipleship, school principal, communications, reception, faith formation, maintenance, thrift store, food pantry, and security personnel. Sisters of St. Francis (Sr. Catherine Noecker, O.S.F.) and Sisters of Mercy (Sr. Barbara Gould, R.S.M.) are also connected to the parish and school.
- Fr. Joseph T.M. Tran — Parochial Administrator
- Fr. Augustine Vazhavila — Parochial Vicar
- Fr. Gianni Agostinelli — Hispanic Ministry
- Dcn. Michael Balchus
- Dcn. Michael Dordan
- David Gimlin — Business Manager
- Tomas Evans — Campus Director of Evangelization & Discipleship
- Monica Matthews — St. Paul Catholic School Principal
- Sara Hernandez, Patty Brasile, Angelica Garcia, Lorelei 'LJ' Teninty, Janet Renderer — administrative team
- Chika Anuforoh — Audio-Visual Technician
- Bill Briggs — Facilities Manager
- Beatriz Evans — Thrift & Gift Store Coordinator
- Barbara Pusateri — Food Pantry Coordinator
- Mark Ochalek — Security Coordinator; Hank Kanczurzewski — Security Team
- Brian Adams, Mark Kubovcik, Roger Borman — maintenance and grounds
- Sr. Catherine Noecker, O.S.F. — Sisters of St. Francis, Mission Advancement
- Sr. Barbara Gould, R.S.M. — Sisters of Mercy, school board member
St. Paul Catholic School
St. Paul Catholic School is the parish's Pre-K4/VPK through 8th-grade elementary school, located in Leesburg and part of the Diocese of Orlando Catholic Schools system. The school describes itself as a faith-based, academically rigorous community that has served Leesburg families for over 60 years, with a strong family atmosphere and an emphasis on academic excellence, spiritual growth, and moral character. The principal is Monica Matthews.
- Grades: Pre-K4/VPK through 8th grade
- Half-day 4-year-old VPK program: 7:55–11:05 am Mon–Fri (state voucher required)
- Full-day 4-year-old VPK program: 7:55 am–3:15 pm (state voucher plus $600/month)
- After-care available until 6:00 pm ($30/week)
- Kindergarten entry requires child to turn 5 by September 1
- Tuition (highest grade): $7,875; student-teacher ratio about 13:1
- Part of the Diocese of Orlando Catholic Schools system
- Student life includes K-Kids service club, National Junior Beta, and other activities
- School phone: (352) 787-4657; school office Mon–Fri 7:30 am–4:00 pm
Faith Formation & Evangelization
Under the leadership of the Campus Director of Evangelization & Discipleship, St. Paul offers lifelong faith formation for children, youth, young adults, and adults, including sacramental preparation, OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults), Vacation Bible School, retreats, scripture study, and a four-day annual Parish Mission. The 'Welcome Home' outreach welcomes inactive Catholics back to the sacraments.
- Children's Faith Formation: 30-week Loyola Press curriculum, Wednesdays, K–8th grade
- Oratory (St. John Bosco-inspired): middle and high school students; Home, School, Parish, Playground pillars
- Middle School Youth Ministry: grades 6–8 — Adoration night, movie night, service hours, boys' and girls' retreats, Hidden Lake Life Teen summer camp
- High School Peer Ministry: weekly Wednesdays in Building 4; Antioch Retreat, CoveCrest Life Teen summer camp
- VBS: K–8, summer program with music, prayer, crafts, snack and lunch
- Sacramental Preparation: First Communion and Confirmation
- OCIA (formerly RCIA) for adults seeking initiation
- Young Adults Ministry
- Adult Scripture Study and Faith Matters sessions (Family Enrichment Center)
- Annual four-day Parish Mission with daily Mass and Reconciliation
- Men's, Women's, and Youth Retreats throughout the year
- Welcome Home — outreach to inactive Catholics
Hispanic Ministry
Hispanic Ministry at St. Paul is supported by Fr. Gianni Agostinelli and offers Spanish-language Mass, prayer groups, English classes, and other programs to serve the Spanish-speaking Catholic community in Leesburg. A Spanish Vigil Mass is celebrated every Saturday at 7:00 pm.
- Spanish Vigil Mass: Saturdays 7:00 pm
- Hispanic prayer groups
- English-as-a-second-language classes
- Fr. Gianni Agostinelli serves the Hispanic Ministry
Outreach: Food Pantry, Thrift & Gift Store, and Respect Life
St. Paul's outreach to the Leesburg community is built around three core programs: the parish Food Pantry, which supplies thousands of pounds of food to those in need each year; the Thrift & Gift Store, which provides affordable goods and houses the Religious Article Gift Ministry; and the Respect Life Ministry, which advocates for the most vulnerable in the community.
- Food Pantry: supplies thousands of pounds of food each year; coordinated by Barbara Pusateri
- Thrift & Gift Store: 1321 Sunshine Ave, Leesburg; Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat 9:00 am–3:00 pm (closed Fri & Sun); coordinated by Beatriz Evans
- Religious Article Gift Ministry: prayer cards, liturgical books, chapel veils, statues; located inside the Thrift & Gift Store
- Respect Life Ministry: advocacy for the right to life of the most vulnerable
- Adopt-A-Student: parish scholarship program supporting families at St. Paul School
- Ministry to the Sick: bringing Holy Communion to the sick and homebound
Parish Ministries & Organizations
Beyond faith formation and outreach, St. Paul runs a wide array of lay ministries and parish organizations for men, women, youth, and families. The parish describes ministry as 'a calling to your soul' and invites parishioners to draw on their talents to serve the people of God.
- Altar Servers — assists the presider at weekend Masses; open to children who have received First Communion
- Altar Linen Ministry — laundering and care of altar linens
- Arts and Environment Committee — plants, fabrics, and décor for the liturgy
- Church Cleaning Apostolate
- Council of Catholic Women — spirituality, leadership, and service
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC)
- Funeral Planning Ministry
- Greeters / Hospitality / Ushers
- Knights of Columbus — fraternal organization of Catholic men serving the community
- Music Ministry — choir, cantors, handbell ringers
- Readers for Holy Mass
- Rosary Prayer Group and Rosary Makers
Sacraments
St. Paul prepares parishioners for and celebrates the full range of Catholic sacraments, including Baptism, Confirmation, First Holy Communion, Matrimony, Anointing of the Sick, and funerals. Those inquiring about Marriage should call the parish office at 352-787-6354, ext. 276, for information and appointments. Adults seeking initiation enter through OCIA; children receive age-appropriate sacramental preparation through Faith Formation.
- Baptism
- Confirmation (preparation for teens)
- First Holy Communion (Eucharistic preparation)
- Matrimony — call 352-787-6354 ext. 276
- Anointing of the Sick and Ministry to the Sick / homebound
- Funeral planning
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for adult initiation
Visit, Register & Contact
New parishioners are warmly welcomed to register with the parish through the online form on the 'New Parishioners' page. The parish office is open Monday–Thursday 9:00 am–4:00 pm (closed 12:00–1:00 pm for lunch) and Friday 9:00 am–12:00 pm, with summer hours Monday–Thursday 9:00 am–1:00 pm. Faith Formation questions can be directed to [email protected].
- Parish address: 1330 Sunshine Avenue, Leesburg, FL 34748
- Parish office phone: (352) 787-6354
- School office phone: (352) 787-4657
- Thrift & Gift Store phone: (352) 787-3388
- Email: [email protected]
- Faith Formation: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 am–4:00 pm (closed 12–1 for lunch); Fri 9:00 am–12:00 pm
- Live-streamed Mass on YouTube @StPaulLeesburg
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. J.J. O'Riordan1915
Pastor from Sanford who began celebrating Mass in Fruitland Park in August 1915, founding mission work that would become St. Paul.
- Fr. William O'Farrell1949
Pastor of the mission who in 1949 purchased the Sunshine Avenue land in Leesburg for a new, larger church.
- Fr. George Cummings1951
Celebrant at the groundbreaking ceremonies on February 18, 1951.
- Archbishop Joseph P. Hurley of St. Augustine1952
Officiated at the solemn dedication of the new Leesburg parish on March 2, 1952.
- Fr. Philip Stegeman
Pastor whose sudden death in 1988 stunned the parish before an extensive renovation of the present church was finished.