About St. Peter The Fisherman · Big Pine Key, Florida
St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church in Big Pine Key, Florida, is a welcoming parish that invites all people regardless of background or past religious experience. Founded as a mission in 1957 and officially named in 1962, it has served the community for decades, including providing hurricane relief since the 1960s. The church was destroyed by Hurricane Irma in 2017 and fully rebuilt under the leadership of Pastor Jesus 'Fr. Jets' Medina, with a rededication in 2021. The parish offers daily Mass, adoration, confession, and a variety of ministries and sacraments, all within a smoke-free facility.
- Established
- 1957
- Patron
- Saint Peter
- Rector
- Jesus 'Fr. Jets' Medina
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Miami
Why belong here
Join a community that welcomes everyone, regardless of background or past. Experience vibrant faith through daily Mass, adoration, and active ministries like the parish food pantry and CCD. The parish has a strong history of service, especially in hurricane relief, and offers sacraments and spiritual support for all ages.
Mass times at St. Peter The Fisherman
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:50 to 5:20 p.m.
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Tuesdays 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. (Fall to Spring)
About Our Parish
The Church The Parish Hall & Kitchen The Office & Staff The Church Despite the long ride over the narrow Seven Mile Bridge from Big Pine Key to San Pablo’s Church in Marathon, Catholics made the trip every Sunday in 1957. Father James Connaughton traveled from Marathon to Big Pine Key to discuss establishing a mission. In 1957 the mission’s first Mass was celebrated in a makeshift chapel the recreation building at Mary Johnson’s Trailer Park, across the street from the present church. Though no title had formally been given to it, Father Connaughton said it was Saint Mary of the Pines. The mission received its official status and name Saint Peter Mission Catholic Church in April 25, 1962, and attained parish status in 1969. The parish has served the area with hurricane relief since the 1960s. When Hurricane Donna hit in 1960 damaging the Marathon church, Big Pine parishioners lent assistance. When Hurricane George hit the Lower Keys leaving many homeless, the parish sheltered and fed more than 3,000 a day on donated water, food, ice, and clothing; along with area churches, it has established and participates in an ecumenical outreach for storm recovery. When Hurricane Irma hit in 2017 it totally destroyed the church and rectory and much of the Lower Keys landing the parish in the front page of the Wall Street Journal. Rev. Jesus “Fr. Jets” Medina welcomed the immediate relief and recovery efforts of the International Red Cross who made their camp on the parish baseball-soccer field. The church and rectory were completely rebuilt under the pastorship of Fr. Jets and rededicated by Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski in 2021.
Our Pastor and Administrators
- Father Jets, Pastor
- Nancy McCrosson, Property Manager / Bookkeeper
- Donna Zimmer, Reception / Administrative Assistant
- Dan Ford, Maintenance Supervisor
- Kathy Rhodes, Coordinator of Religious Education / Webmaster
- Father Paul Malinowski, Visiting Priest
- Father Jim Vick, Visiting Priest
- Father Daniel Martin, Visiting Priest
- Father Darin Roberts, Visiting Priest
Sacraments
Baptism, Confession, Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders, Anointing of the Sick, Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
Ministries
CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine), Parish Food Pantry (Tuesdays 10:30am–12:30pm), Maintenance Help (30 hrs/week with benefits).
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Jesus 'Fr. Jets' Medina2017–2021
Led rebuilding after Hurricane Irma; rededication in 2021