About St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church · Trinity, Florida
St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Trinity, Florida, in the Diocese of Saint Petersburg (Deanery: North Tampa). Founded in January 2008, the parish was carved out of the boundaries of St. Thomas Aquinas in New Port Richey and Our Lady of the Rosary in Land O' Lakes to serve the growing Trinity community. After meeting first in a chapel at Trinity Memorial Gardens and then in a storefront at Trinity Village shopping center, the parish moved in late 2012 into its own 15,000-square-foot Parish Life Center at 12747 Interlaken Drive. Today it is served by Pastor Rev. Gary J. Dowsey and offers daily and weekend Masses, Reconciliation, faith formation for children and youth (EDGE and Life Teen), sacramental preparation, and a range of parish ministries, guided by the motto: 'We do not serve others because they are Catholic, but because we are!'
- Established
- 2008
- Patron
- St. Peter the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Gary J. Dowsey
- Diocese
- Diocese of Saint Petersburg
Why belong here
St. Peter the Apostle is a welcoming, mission-driven parish whose motto — 'We do not serve others because they are Catholic, but because we are!' — shapes a vibrant community life centered on the Eucharist and service. Families find a full sacramental life (daily and weekend Mass in English, Saturday Reconciliation, Baptism, First Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage preparation) along with year-round faith formation through EDGE (middle school youth ministry), Life Teen (high school), and adult programs including OCIA (Becoming Catholic). Registering as a parishioner gives you a sense of belonging, simplifies sacramental paperwork, lets the pastor and staff minister to you in times of need, and makes you eligible to serve as a sponsor or godparent.
Mass times at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- During Lent: Thursday 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (with Adoration)
Adoration times
- During Lent: Thursday 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (combined with Confession, per Find A Mass)
Parish History
St. Peter the Apostle was established in January 2008 by the Diocese of Saint Petersburg to serve the growing Trinity community in western Pasco County. It was carved out of St. Thomas Aquinas in New Port Richey and Our Lady of the Rosary in Land O' Lakes, and was one of four new parishes the diocese had been planning — the others in Wesley Chapel, Spring Hill and Brandon were put on hold by the recession.
- Founded January 2008 by the Diocese of Saint Petersburg
- Carved from St. Thomas Aquinas (New Port Richey) and Our Lady of the Rosary (Land O' Lakes)
- First worship site: chapel at Trinity Memorial Gardens
- Second worship site: storefront at Trinity Village shopping center (between Cold Stone Creamery and Five Guys)
- Moved into Parish Life Center, 12747 Interlaken Drive, in December 2012
- Building blessed by Bishop Robert Lynch on December 23, 2012
Parish Life Center & Future Building
Completed in late 2012 at a cost of about $2.3 million, the Parish Life Center is roughly 15,000 square feet and centers on an 8,000-square-foot main hall that seats about 650 worshippers. It also houses a chapel, offices, a kitchen, and meeting space for ministries and faith-formation classes. Founding pastor Fr. Dennis Hughes described it as the parish's third home; the long-range plan is to build a permanent church on the same site once the center is paid off and membership grows further, with the possibility of a parish school nearby.
- $2.3 million Parish Life Center, completed late 2012
- Roughly 15,000 sq ft; main hall seats about 650
- Includes chapel, offices, kitchen, and meeting space
- Future permanent church planned on the same site
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish runs a full faith-formation program supervised by a Director of Faith Formation and Youth Ministry who reports to the pastor. Programs span early childhood through adult, including sacramental preparation, parish summer camps such as Vacation Bible School, and catechist training through the diocesan certification program.
- Faith Formation for EC2 through 5th Grade
- Sacramental preparation: Baptism, Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage
- Vacation Bible School and other summer camps for EC3 through 8th grade
- Adult Faith Formation programs
- Diocesan Catechist Certification program promotion
- Contact: [email protected]
Youth Ministry
St. Peter the Apostle runs a two-track youth ministry: EDGE for middle-schoolers (grades 6–8) and Life Teen for high-schoolers. Both are designed to give young people a safe, fun community where they can explore their faith, get honest answers to their questions, and encounter Jesus in a personal way.
- EDGE — Catholic Middle School Youth Ministry (grades 6–8)
- Life Teen — High School Youth Ministry
- Fundraising for youth camps
- Young Adult Ministry also promoted
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
Adults and children over the age of seven who are interested in becoming Catholic are welcomed through the parish's OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process, formerly called RCIA. The parish website links visitors to a dedicated 'Becoming Catholic / OCIA' page for those seeking Baptism, Confirmation, or full reception into the Church.
- Adult initiation through OCIA
- Baptism for children over age 7 through OCIA
- Contact the parish office to begin the process
Baptism
The parish walks families through infant Baptism step by step. Parents must be registered parishioners, complete an information sheet, meet with the pastor, take a preparation class (for first-child baptisms), and submit signed sponsor forms for godparents along with the child's birth certificate. A stipend can be offered online or by check. For children over seven and for adults, the parish directs families to its OCIA / Becoming Catholic page.
- Register as a parishioner first
- Meet with the pastor
- Complete the Baptism information sheet
- Take a one-time preparation class (first child only)
- Submit godparent sponsor forms and child's birth certificate
- Online stipend available via OSV Hub
Vocations
The parish encourages parishioners to consider how God may be calling them — to priesthood, diaconate, or consecrated religious life — and invites anyone discerning a vocation to speak directly with Fr. Gary Dowsey or to contact the Diocese of St. Petersburg's Office of Vocations.
- Speak with Fr. Gary Dowsey about a possible call
- Contact the DOSP Office of Vocations
Parish Registration & Community Life
St. Peter the Apostle describes itself as 'committed to Serving God and Caring for His People,' and encourages regular attendees to register formally as parishioners. Registration gives a sense of belonging, makes sacramental preparation smoother (godparent/sponsor eligibility, etc.), and helps the pastor and staff reach out in times of crisis. The parish also maintains an active calendar of community events such as Trunk or Treat and the Easter Egg Hunt.
- Online or printable registration form available
- Year-end giving statements for registered donors
- Active parishioners eligible as sacramental sponsors/godparents
- Census numbers help determine priest assignments and programming
Staff & Leadership
The parish is led by Pastor Rev. Gary J. Dowsey (ordained July 12, 1980). Job postings confirm additional lay staff including a Director of Faith Formation and Youth Ministry, a Director of Music Ministries, a Business Director, a Director of Maintenance, a Parish Communications & Administrative Assistant, and sacristans, all working together with Fr. Gary and parish volunteers.
- Pastor: Rev. Gary J. Dowsey
- Director of Faith Formation and Youth Ministry
- Director of Music Ministries
- Business Director
- Director of Maintenance
- Parish Communications and Administrative Assistant
- Sacristans, catechists, and other volunteers
Contact, Location & Directions
The parish office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM and Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The church is located at 12747 Interlaken Road in Trinity, Florida — from State Road 54, turn south onto Community Drive (about one mile west of Gunn Highway) and continue for roughly a quarter mile; the church will be on the left.
- Address: 12747 Interlaken Rd, Trinity, FL 34655
- Phone: (727) 264-8968
- Office email: [email protected]
- Faith Formation email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 AM–3:00 PM; Fri 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
- Directions: South on Community Drive from SR 54, one mile west of Gunn Highway
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Dennis Hughes2008–c. 2012+
Founding pastor; led the parish from its inception in January 2008, oversaw growth from about 200 to over 500 families, and shepherded the move into the new Parish Life Center at 12747 Interlaken Drive in December 2012.
- Rev. Gary J. Dowsey
Current pastor. Ordained July 12, 1980. Listed by the Diocese of Saint Petersburg as pastor of St. Peter the Apostle, Trinity.