About St. Paul · Saint Petersburg, Florida
St. Paul's Catholic Church is a historic parish in the heart of St. Petersburg, Florida, serving the Catholic community of Pinellas County within the Diocese of Saint Petersburg. Founded in 1929, it grew up around what is today the oldest Catholic school in Pinellas County, opened in 1930 by the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, New York. The parish is known for its vibrant worship — including a beloved Polish Mass — and its longstanding commitment to Catholic education, stewardship, and family faith formation. Its mission is to live the Catholic faith through vibrant worship and loving service to others, all through God's grace.
- Established
- 1929
- Patron
- St. Paul the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Msgr. Robert C. Gibbons, J.C.L.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Saint Petersburg
Why belong here
St. Paul's is a parish that takes seriously both worship and works of mercy, with Mass offered daily, a beloved Sunday Polish Mass for the local Polish community, and a rich music program spanning folk, choir-and-organ, and contemporary styles. It is home to the oldest Catholic school in Pinellas County, still led by the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, which has drawn generations of families into the parish community. Ministries span every age and stage — Children's Faith Formation, EDGE middle-school youth ministry, OCIA for adults, St. Vincent de Paul outreach, Vacation Bible School, and a Faith Community Nurse — making it easy for newcomers to find a place to serve and belong.
Mass times at St. Paul
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM
- Sunday 5:00 PM – 5:45 PM
Parish History & Heritage
St. Paul's traces its roots to 1922, when Bishop Patrick Barry of the Diocese of Saint Augustine purchased ten acres of scrub pine and swamp on the north side of St. Petersburg for a future Catholic school and parish. Construction of a school building began in 1925, and Sunday Mass was celebrated regularly in the school auditorium by about 1926. In 1929, Bishop Barry formally established St. Paul's as its own parish and appointed Fr. James Enright as its first pastor. The following year, five Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, New York, arrived and opened the parochial school on September 15, 1930 — making it the first Catholic school in Pinellas County. The parish grew rapidly during the post-war Florida boom, adding a convent, rectory, permanent church, cafeteria, and high school building over the following twenty-five years.
- 1922 – Bishop Barry purchases 10 acres in north St. Petersburg
- 1925 – School building construction begins
- c. 1926 – Sunday Mass begins in the school auditorium
- 1929 – St. Paul's established as its own parish; Fr. James Enright appointed first pastor
- September 15, 1930 – St. Paul Catholic School opens with 5 Franciscan Sisters of Allegany and 136 students
- Mid-20th century – Convent, rectory, permanent church, cafeteria, and high school built
- 1969 – St. Paul High School closes when diocesan high school opens
- February 14, 2025 – Parish celebrates 100th anniversary of school cornerstone
Mission & Parish Identity
St. Paul's mission statement reads: 'We are a parish family that strives to live our Catholic faith by vibrant worship of God and loving service to others, all through God's grace.' The parish has long encouraged a strong sense of Christian stewardship, asking every household to share Time, Talent, and Treasure. Located in the heart of St. Petersburg, St. Paul's has benefited from the city's renaissance and continues to enfold young families into a community of faith through its school, ministries, and sacramental life.
- Encourages every Catholic household to register in the parish
- Calls parishioners to be good stewards of God's gifts
- Stresses active parish involvement, Sunday Mass participation, and regular contributions
St. Paul Catholic School
St. Paul Catholic School is the oldest Catholic school in Pinellas County, founded September 15, 1930, by five Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, New York, who opened the doors to 136 students in grades one through nine. Today the school enrolls approximately 332 students from EC-3 (age 3) through eighth grade, supported by 48 faculty and staff members. Its mission is to provide students with a foundation for life through faith, academics, and service, and to assist them in developing their gifts and talents so that they may fulfill the plan God has for their lives. The school is accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference and offers Religion, core academics, Spanish, Art, Music, Technology, and Physical Education, with middle-school Choice Classes in yearbook, school newspaper, art, music, tennis, health, drama, robotics, and Spanish culture. Athletics include basketball, volleyball, soccer, and track and field for grades 5–8. An Extended Day Program (2:50–5:30 PM) and Early Childhood Programs for three- and four-year-olds support working families.
- Oldest Catholic school in Pinellas County (founded 1930)
- Approximately 332 students, EC-3 through 8th grade; 48 faculty/staff
- Led by the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, New York
- Extended Day Program (2:50–5:30 PM)
- Early Childhood Programs for 3- and 4-year-olds
- Accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference
- Athletics: basketball, volleyball, soccer, track & field
- School website: www.stpaul1930.org
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith formation at St. Paul's serves children, teens, and adults through a network of programs coordinated by Annamaria Carnahan in the Parish Office. Children not enrolled at St. Paul Catholic School attend Family Religious Education classes twice per month from August through May, with sessions on Sundays from 10:30 AM (after the 9:30 AM Mass) until 12:00 PM. These classes include preparation for Confirmation, First Reconciliation, and First Eucharist. Second-grade students — both at the parish school and through Family Religious Education — are prepared for First Reconciliation and First Communion.
- Family Religious Education (K–8, Sundays 10:30 AM–12:00 PM, twice monthly)
- First Communion & First Reconciliation (2nd grade)
- Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (Grade 3–High School)
- Confirmation for Teens (8th grade, spring)
- Confirmation for Adults
- Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
- Vacation Bible School (one week in summer, Pre-K4 through Grade 5)
- Safe Environment Training required for volunteers
Youth & Young Adult Ministry
St. Paul's offers dedicated ministry to middle-school, high-school, and young adult parishioners, coordinated by Audrey Griffin. The EDGE program introduces a real and fulfilling relationship with Christ to students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade, while older teens are served through the high-school youth ministry pathway that culminates in the Sacrament of Confirmation.
- EDGE Middle School Ministry (grades 6–8)
- High School Youth Ministry
- Young Adult Ministry (Audrey Griffin)
Music & Liturgy
Music is a hallmark of worship at St. Paul's. The parish offers a variety of musical styles at its Sunday Masses to serve different parish preferences: 9:30 AM Folk Music, 11:30 AM Choir & Organ, and 6:00 PM Contemporary Music. Catherine Cole serves as Organist and Choir Director, and the parish continues to attract a deep roster of volunteer musicians and cantors across all three ensembles.
- 9:30 AM Sunday – Folk Music
- 11:30 AM Sunday – Choir & Organ
- 6:00 PM Sunday – Contemporary Music
- Organist & Choir Director: Catherine Cole
Polish Mass & Cultural Ministry
In addition to its English-language schedule, St. Paul's celebrates a weekly Polish Mass at 1:00 PM on Sundays, serving the Polish Catholic community of the St. Petersburg area. This long-standing tradition reflects the parish's deep connection to Polish-American Catholic heritage in the region.
- Polish Mass – Sundays at 1:00 PM
Outreach & Social Ministry
Outreach at St. Paul's is coordinated by Denise Sanders, with the parish supporting members and neighbors in need through a network of programs. The St. Vincent de Paul Society is a long-standing fixture (reachable through the parish office at 727-822-3481), and a Prayer Team is available to parishioners seeking spiritual support. The parish also benefits from a Faith Community Nurse who provides health-related guidance and compassion to parishioners.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society (727-822-3481)
- Parish Outreach (Denise Sanders)
- Prayer Team (email via parish office)
- Faith Community Nurse
Sacraments
St. Paul's prepares parishioners of all ages to receive the Sacraments of Initiation and continues to walk with them through the Sacraments of Healing and Service. Baptismal Preparation is required for parents presenting children for Baptism, and the parish coordinates preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation through its Family Religious Education program and the parish school. Adult inquirers enter the Church through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA).
- Baptism – contact Annamaria in the Parish Office ([email protected])
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist – 2nd grade
- Confirmation – Teens (8th grade) and Adults (OCIA)
- Matrimony – contact parish office
- Anointing of the Sick
Parish Staff & Leadership
St. Paul's is led by Pastor Rev. Msgr. Robert C. Gibbons, J.C.L., and Parochial Vicar Rev. Tim Williford, supported by a pastoral associate, administrative assistants, and ministry leaders who staff the parish office at 1358 – 20th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33704. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
- Pastor: Rev. Msgr. Robert C. Gibbons, J.C.L.
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Tim Williford
- Pastoral Associate: Annamaria Carnahan
- Admin Assistants: Crystal Hernandez, Mary Carney
- Outreach: Denise Sanders
- Youth & Young Adult Ministry: Audrey Griffin
- Organist & Choir Director: Catherine Cole
- Children's Center: Crystal Hernandez
Visit, Contact & Getting Involved
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed at St. Paul's. The church is open daily for prayer (typically 6:30 AM – 6:30 PM per the parish website), and the parish office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Mass is offered daily during the school year (7:00 AM) and summer (7:45 AM), with the full weekend schedule above. Every Catholic household is encouraged to register in the parish and to participate through stewardship of Time, Talent, and Treasure — whether by joining a ministry, volunteering at the school, singing in the choir, or supporting St. Vincent de Paul outreach.
- Parish Office: 1358 – 20th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33704
- Mailing Address: 1800 – 12th Street N, St. Petersburg, FL 33704
- Phone: (727) 822-3481 | Fax: (727) 822-1754
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Church open for prayer daily
- Part of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg (www.dosp.org)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Fr. James Enright1929–
First pastor of St. Paul's Parish; invited the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany to open the parochial school.