About St. Peter Catholic Church · Deland, Florida
St. Peter Catholic Church is a historic parish in DeLand, Florida, founded in 1883 as one of the earliest Catholic communities in central Volusia County. Today it is a large, active parish of roughly 3,000 families in the Diocese of Orlando, offering Mass in both English and Spanish each Sunday, a Pre-K–8 Catholic school, perpetual Eucharistic adoration, and a broad network of faith-formation, outreach, and fraternal ministries. It is also the home parish that serves Stetson University's Catholic Campus Ministry and oversees the mission churches of St. Hubert of the Forest in Astor and San Jose in Pierson.
- Established
- 1883
- Patron
- St. Peter (the Apostle)
- Rector
- Fr. Gilbert Medina
- Diocese
- Diocese of Orlando
Why belong here
St. Peter is a large, bilingual parish that combines deep historic roots (continuous Catholic worship on the same West New York Avenue property since 1883) with a full range of modern ministries: daily and Sunday Mass in English and Spanish, perpetual Eucharistic adoration from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., a Pre-K–8 Catholic school, sacramental prep for First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation, OCIA/RCIA for adults, parish school of religion, Knights of Columbus, Council of Catholic Women, Stetson University Catholic Campus Ministry, Bible studies, Small Christian Communities, Cursillo, Couples for Christ, a Good Samaritan Free Medical and Dental Clinic, and a Visitation House for the homebound. It is also the home parish that oversees the missions of St. Hubert of the Forest (Astor) and San Jose (Pierson).
Mass times at St. Peter Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday at 12:00 noon (or by appointment)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel — open daily 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament — Thursdays at 6:00 p.m., before the 7:00 p.m. Spanish Mass
History of St. Peter Parish
Catholic life in DeLand began on June 7, 1883, when Fr. W. J. Kenny of Palatka celebrated the first Mass in the Kilkoff home on West New York Avenue for four families. A small chapel was built the next year and dedicated on April 20, 1884 by Bishop John Moore of St. Augustine 'to the service of God under the patronage of St. Peter.' The 1884 dedication was a remarkable ecumenical moment: the choir was made up of non-Catholic neighbors, and the organ was a melodeon borrowed from a Methodist. Under early pastors Fr. Foley, Fr. O'Brien, and especially the first resident pastor Fr. M. J. Curley (1904) — later Bishop Curley — the parish built a rectory, founded an Altar Society, and grew from 13 families to several hundred. The original 60-seat chapel was enlarged over the years and replaced in the 1960s by the present church on the same site. Today, with about 3,000 families, St. Peter remains the historic anchor Catholic parish of DeLand and one of the oldest in central Florida.
- 1883 — First Mass in DeLand at the Kilkoff home (June 7, 1883); four founding families.
- 1884 — Chapel built and dedicated to St. Peter by Bishop John Moore on April 20, 1884.
- 1904 — Fr. M. J. Curley becomes first resident pastor; builds rectory, founds Altar Society.
- 1907 — Estey organ installed; church enlarged and decorated the next year.
- 1960s — Present church built on the same West New York Avenue property.
- Today — Roughly 3,000 families; oversees missions at Astor and Pierson.
Mass & Liturgy
St. Peter offers a full weekly schedule of Masses in both English and Spanish, plus daily Mass Monday through Saturday at 8:15 a.m. (with Wednesday's Mass designated as the School Mass). The parish's Mass Times page, the official website, and external listings such as Discover Mass all confirm the schedule. Sunday Masses include a Family Mass at 11:00 a.m. and a 12:45 p.m. Mass in Spanish, followed by a 5:30 p.m. evening Mass. A Spanish Mass is also celebrated on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday Vigil: 4:00 p.m. (English)
- Sunday: 7:30, 9:00, 11:00 a.m. (Family Mass), 5:30 p.m. (English); 12:45 p.m. (Spanish)
- Daily Mass Mon–Sat at 8:15 a.m.
- Thursday evening Mass in Spanish at 7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday 8:15 a.m. Mass is the School Mass
Other Devotions
Beyond Mass, Reconciliation, and Adoration, the parish sustains a rich devotional life. The Rosary is prayed in the church every day after the 8:15 a.m. Mass and again on Monday evenings at 5:30 p.m. A Spanish-language Charismatic Prayer Group meets Tuesdays from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., and the Men's Holy League gathers on the 2nd Wednesday of every month.
- Daily Rosary after the 8:15 a.m. Mass
- Monday Night Rosary — 5:30 p.m. in the Church
- Hispanic Charismatic Prayer Group — Tuesdays 7:00–9:00 p.m.
- Men's Holy League — 2nd Wednesday of every month
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation for children and youth, Pre-K through Grade 12, is led by Director of Religious Education Jenny Mansingh with assistance from Catechetical Ministry Assistant Denisse Ponce. The parish also runs sacramental preparation programs for First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and a two-year Confirmation program (with Reception of the Sacrament typically in March). Adult formation includes OCIA/RCIA, multiple Bible studies (Adult Bible Study, Women of Faith, Fresh Start Men's Bible Study), Small Christian Communities, Couples for Christ, and Cursillo/Ultreya.
- Religious Education for Pre-K through Grade 12
- First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion preparation
- Two-year Confirmation program (Reception of Sacrament in March)
- OCIA / RCIA — Becoming Catholic (Rite of Acceptance in January)
- Bible Study – Women of Faith
- Fresh Start – Men's Bible Study
- Adult Bible Study
- Small Christian Communities
Becoming Catholic — OCIA / RCIA
The parish's OCIA process (formerly known as RCIA) welcomes unbaptized adults, Christians from other denominations considering Catholicism, and baptized Catholics who have not yet received Eucharist and/or Confirmation. The 2025–2026 schedule begins with the Rite of Acceptance on Sunday, January 25 at the 9:00 a.m. Mass, followed by the Rite of Sending and Rite of Election on February 22, the three Scrutinies during Lent, and full reception at the Easter Vigil.
- Rite of Acceptance — Sunday, January 25 at 9:00 a.m.
- Rite of Sending / Rite of Election — Sunday, February 22
- Three Scrutinies during Lent
- Reception of Sacraments at the Easter Vigil
- Contact: Jenny Mansingh, [email protected], (386) 822-6000
Sacraments
St. Peter prepares parishioners for all the major sacraments. Baptism preparation is offered in both English and Spanish; First Reconciliation is normally received in second grade or higher after at least one year of religious education; First Holy Communion follows; Confirmation is a two-year process culminating each March. Marriage preparation is coordinated through the parish office, and the Anointing of the Sick is available on request.
- Baptism (English & Spanish)
- First Reconciliation (Lenten season, grade 2+)
- First Holy Communion (May Crowning each May)
- Confirmation (two-year program; Reception of Sacrament in March)
- Marriage preparation
- Anointing of the Sick — by request to the parish office
St. Peter Catholic School
St. Peter Catholic School is the parish's Pre-K (VPK) through Grade 8 school, located at 421 W New York Avenue, DeLand. Accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference of Bishops (and recognized by the Florida Department of Education), the school has served Volusia and Seminole Counties for more than 70 years. Its mission is 'forming disciples, rooted in the teachings of the Catholic faith, through a curriculum of academic excellence within a safe and caring environment,' and it offers VPK, a sports program through the Diocese of Orlando Catholic Youth League, integrated technology including S.T.E.A.M., and nationally normed assessments in reading and math.
- Grades: Pre-K (VPK) through 8th Grade
- Address: 421 W New York Avenue, DeLand, FL 32720
- School Phone: (386) 822-6013 / (386) 822-6010 (office)
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
- Accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference of Bishops
- Athletics through the Diocese of Orlando Catholic Youth League
- Interim Principal: Mrs. Patricia Andrews ([email protected])
Parish Life & Organizations
St. Peter sustains a wide array of parish organizations and lay-led groups. The Knights of Columbus (Council 5044), a Catholic men's fraternal organization, supports the parish through parish-wide works such as the Lenten Fish Fry, Habitat for St. Peter, Octoberfest setup, and holiday food drives. The Council of Catholic Women (CCW) supports, empowers, and educates Catholic women in spirituality, leadership and service. Other groups include Couples for Christ, the Men's Holy League, Cursillo/Ultreya, Disciples of the Holy Black Nazarene, and a Spanish-language Charismatic Prayer Group.
- Knights of Columbus — Grand Knight Patrick O'Grady; (386) 822-6000
- Council of Catholic Women (CCW) — Deborah Starcevich, 813-390-2883
- Couples for Christ
- Men's Holy League
- Cursillo / Ultreya
- Disciples of the Holy Black Nazarene
- Hispanic / Spanish Charismatic Prayer Group
Outreach & Charity
St. Peter's outreach apostolate includes the Good Samaritan Free Medical Clinic and a partner dental clinic that provide free care to those in need, and the Visitation House ministry that brings the Eucharist and companionship to the homebound. The Knights of Columbus parish council partners with Habitat for Humanity and runs the annual Lenten Fish Fry (Fridays in Lent, 4:30–7:00 p.m., in Don Bosco Hall, with 100% of proceeds going to St. Peter).
- Good Samaritan Free Medical Clinic
- Good Samaritan Dental Clinic
- Visitation House — ministry to the homebound
- Knights of Columbus — Habitat for St. Peter, Octoberfest, holiday food drives
- Knights of Columbus Lenten Fish Fry — Fridays in Lent, 4:30–7:00 p.m. in Don Bosco Hall
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Music and liturgical service are central to the parish's worship life. Edit Palmer serves as Music Director, leading both English and Spanish choirs. Liturgical ministries include Lector, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and Altar Server roles, all coordinated through the parish office.
- Music Director: Edit Palmer
- Music Ministry (English)
- Music Ministry (Spanish)
- Lectors
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Altar Servers
Stetson University Catholic Campus Ministry
St. Peter is the home parish for Stetson University Catholic Campus Ministry, which meets weekly during the school year on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in Allen Hall on the Stetson campus in DeLand. While most attendees are Stetson students, all college students are welcome. Sacramental needs are met at St. Peter Catholic Church.
- Meets Tuesdays 6:30–8:00 p.m. in Allen Hall, Stetson University
- Open to all college students
- Sacramental life supported by St. Peter Catholic Church
Clergy, Deacons & Staff
St. Peter is pastored by Fr. Gilbert Medina and assisted by Associate Pastor Fr. Alfredo Ortiz and Parochial Vicar Fr. Emmanuel Mbuk, MSP. Three deacons — Herbie Toledo, Kurt Slafkovsky, and Guillermo D. Gomez — support parish life. The pastoral team includes Jenny Mansingh (Director of Religious Education), Edit Palmer (Music Director), Denisse Ponce (Catechetical Ministry Assistant), Lori DeSantis (Administrative Assistant), Jun Dionisio (Facilities & Maintenance), and Richard Peterson (Director of Operations).
- Pastor — Fr. Gilbert Medina
- Associate Pastor — Fr. Alfredo Ortiz
- Parochial Vicar — Fr. Emmanuel Mbuk, MSP
- Deacons — Herbie Toledo, Kurt Slafkovsky, Guillermo D. Gomez
- Director of Religious Education — Jenny Mansingh
- Music Director — Edit Palmer
- Director of Operations — Richard Peterson
Contact & Visit
Parishioners and visitors can reach the church office at (386) 822-6000 during office hours (Monday and Tuesday 8 a.m.–4 p.m.; Wednesday 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; Thursday 8 a.m.–4 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m.–12 p.m.). The parish is located at 359 West New York Avenue, DeLand, FL 32720. St. Peter Catholic School is one block west at 421 W New York Avenue. The parish publishes video content on its YouTube channel.
- Address: 359 W. New York Avenue, DeLand, FL 32720
- Phone: (386) 822-6000
- Fax: (386) 822-6034
- Office Hours: Mon/Tue 8 a.m.–4 p.m.; Wed 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; Thu 8 a.m.–4 p.m.; Fri 8 a.m.–12 p.m.
- School Address: 421 W. New York Avenue, DeLand, FL 32720
- Website: http://stpeterdeland.org/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@st.petercatholicchurchdela7048
Missions Served by St. Peter
Beyond DeLand itself, St. Peter Parish oversees two mission communities: St. Hubert of the Forest in Astor, Florida, and San Jose in Pierson, Florida, extending the parish's pastoral reach into the rural northern part of Volusia County.
- St. Hubert of the Forest — Astor, FL
- San Jose — Pierson, FL
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. W. J. Kenny1883
First missionary priest from Palatka; said first Mass in DeLand June 7, 1883 at the Kilkoff home; later became a bishop.
- Rev. Michael Foley1885
- Rev. John O'Brien1893
- Rev. M. J. Curley1904
First resident pastor; built the rectory and founded the Altar Society. He was later Bishop Michael J. Curley.
- Rev. Wm. Barry1914
- Rev. Wm. Mullally1917
- Rev. T. Coomber1923
- Fr. Gilbert Medina
Current Pastor (per the parish 'Our Team' page).