St. Philip Neri

About St. Philip Neri Mission

St. Philip Neri Mission is a small Catholic mission church serving the town of Hawthorne in Alachua County, Florida. It was founded in 1895 and today functions as a Mission Church of St. William Parish in Keystone Heights, within the Diocese of St. Augustine. Sunday Mass is celebrated at 11:15 a.m., with additional Wednesday and Holy Day Masses as listed in the diocesan directory. The mission sits on US Highway 301 South, the main road running through Hawthorne.

History

The mission dates back to 1895, giving it more than 125 years of continuous Catholic presence in north-central Florida. In the Diocese of St. Augustine's 2019 directory, Rev. Andrzej Mitera is listed as pastor. The current 2025–2026 diocesan directory lists Rev. Jaisemon Xaviour as administrator, the same priest who pastors St. William Parish in Keystone Heights — confirming St. Philip Neri's present status as a mission of that parish. GCatholic's historical record also links the mission to St. Patrick Church in Gainesville, suggesting an earlier pastoral assignment.

• Established 1895
• Listed in Diocese of St. Augustine directory through at least 2019
• Currently administered as a mission of St. William Parish, Keystone Heights

Patron Saint

The mission is named for St. Philip Neri (1515–1595), the Italian priest known as the 'Apostle of Rome' and founder of the Congregation of the Oratory (the Oratorians). Canonized in 1622, he is the patron saint of Rome, joy, humor, and the United States Army Special Forces. His feast day is celebrated on May 26.

• St. Philip Neri (1515–1595)
• Founder of the Oratorians
• Feast day: May 26

Mass & Worship Schedule

According to the Diocese of St. Augustine directory, St. Philip Neri Mission celebrates Sunday Mass at 11:15 a.m. A midweek Mass is offered on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m., and Holy Day Mass is scheduled at 6:00 p.m. on the Vigil, as listed in the 2019 diocesan directory. Call the parish office at (352) 481-3353 to confirm current times.

• Sunday – 11:15 a.m.
• Wednesday (2nd & 4th) – 6:00 p.m.
• Holy Days – 6:00 p.m. (Vigil)

Parish Staff & Leadership

The mission is served by Rev. Jaisemon Xaviour as administrator, who also pastors St. William Parish in Keystone Heights. Charlagene Delk serves as office manager (reachable at [email protected]), and Renee Brohamer serves as Director of Religious Education. The earlier 2019 directory listed Rev. Andrzej Mitera as pastor.

• Administrator: Rev. Jaisemon Xaviour ([email protected])
• Office Manager: Charlagene Delk ([email protected])
• Director of Religious Education: Renee Brohamer ([email protected])

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Religious education at the mission is coordinated by Director of Religious Education Renee Brohamer. As a mission of St. William Parish, St. Philip Neri shares in the broader sacramental preparation and catechetical programming available through that parish community.

• Director of Religious Education: Renee Brohamer

Visiting & Contact Information

St. Philip Neri Mission is located at 7919 US Highway 301 South, Hawthorne, FL 32640. The parish phone is (352) 481-3353 and the office email is [email protected]. The mailing address — 210 SW Peach Street, Keystone Heights, FL 32656 — is the same postal address used by St. William Parish, reflecting the mission's pastoral linkage.

• Physical address: 7919 US Highway 301 South, Hawthorne, FL 32640
• Mailing address: 210 SW Peach Street, Keystone Heights, FL 32656
• Phone: (352) 481-3353
• Email: [email protected]

Diocese of St. Augustine

St. Philip Neri Mission belongs to the Diocese of St. Augustine, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, which covers 17 counties in northeast and north-central Florida. The diocese maintains an online parish directory at dosafl.com that lists the mission's contact information, Mass schedule, and staff.

• Diocese: Diocese of St. Augustine
• Diocesan directory: dosafl.com