About St. Teresa Catholic Church · Titusville, Florida
St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Titusville, Florida, on Florida's Space Coast directly across from the Kennedy Space Center. The parish was established as an independent parish on January 5, 1958 by Archbishop Hurley of the (then) Diocese of Saint Augustine, though its Catholic roots in Titusville go back to an 1892 mission chapel. Today it serves more than 1,800 families and has been staffed by the Salvatorian Fathers (SDS) since 2009. It is home to St. Teresa Catholic School (Pre-K through 8th grade), an active faith-formation program, a wide range of liturgical and outreach ministries, and an all-day Thursday Eucharistic Adoration with a Spanish Holy Hour.
- Established
- 1958 (as a parish; mission chapel from 1892)
- Patron
- St. Teresa of Avila
- Rector
- Rev. Krzysztof (Chris) Bugno, SDS
- Diocese
- Diocese of Orlando
Why belong here
St. Teresa of Avila offers Titusville Catholics a full parish life on Florida's Space Coast: weekend Masses every day of the week, daily confessions before Mass, all-day Thursday Eucharistic Adoration with a Spanish Holy Hour, and a complete faith-formation track from Baptism preparation through OCIA/RCIA, K–8 Religious Education, an active youth group for grades 6–12, Vacation Bible School, and Little Rock Scripture Study. A parish of more than 1,800 families, it combines a Pre-K–8 elementary school, a thriving music ministry, long-standing groups like the Women's Club and Holy Name Society, and tangible outreach including the Ministry to the Sick, bereavement support, a community breakfast with a local Methodist church, and the annual Ethnic Mass and picnic.
Mass times at St. Teresa Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday – Friday: 7:45 – 8:15 AM
- Saturday: 3:45 – 4:45 PM
- First Friday: 3:30 – 4:30 PM
- And by appointment
Adoration times
- Thursday all-day Eucharistic Adoration in the Chapel: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Spanish Holy Hour and Exposition: Thursdays 5:30 – 6:30 PM
- Holy Hour (9–10 AM Thursdays, except holidays): Divine Mercy, Rosary, Silent Prayer, Benediction
History of St. Teresa of Avila
Catholic life in Titusville traces back to 1892, when Father John F. O'Boyle built a wooden-frame mission chapel at Hopkins Avenue and Orange Avenue. That chapel survived the Great Fire of December 1895, but the Great Freeze had already crippled the local economy and pushed Henry Flagler's railroad to develop elsewhere. In 1895 Father O'Boyle was transferred to Daytona, and Titusville spent the next sixty-plus years transitioning from a missionary outpost to a parish church, served for stretches by priests traveling from Rockledge, DeLand, and other Diocese of St. Augustine parishes. Father Boreslaw Radka became the second resident priest in 1921 and built a Parsonage in 1926 (which doubled as Titusville's first hospital in World War II). Father Daniel Hegarty built a second church in 1937. Father Reynolds served in 1941, Father Bucko founded the Holy Name Society in 1950, Father Cordey began the Catholic Women's Club in 1953, and Father Spellman oversaw about 300 Catholic families in 1957. On July 18, 1955 the Diocese of Saint Augustine purchased the Hopkins and Ojibway property where the church and school now stand.
- 1892 – wooden-frame mission chapel built at Hopkins and Orange Avenue
- December 1895 – Great Fire spares the chapel; Great Freeze ends Titusville's commercial boom
- 1921 – Father Boreslaw Radka becomes second resident priest
- 1926 – Parsonage built (later WWII-era hospital)
- 1937 – Father Hegarty builds the second church
- 1955 – Diocese of Saint Augustine purchases current property
- 1958 – St. Teresa's established as an independent parish (Jan. 5) under Archbishop Hurley
- 1960 – First church dedicated July 3
- 1969 – Father Michael F. Hanrahan begins pastorate
- 1982 – Present church dedicated Oct. 15 (Feast of St. Teresa of Avila)
- 2009 – Parish entrusted to the Salvatorian Fathers
St. Teresa as a Parish
On January 5, 1958 Archbishop Hurley appointed Father John B. O'Hare founding pastor of the new independent parish, and the first church was dedicated on July 3, 1960 — an 800-capacity worship space (today's Parish Center) where parishioners often stood on the lawn during Mass. The Space Age boom of the 1960s brought an influx of scientists, engineers, and young professionals to Titusville, swelling the parish to 1,200 members at four weekend Masses. In 1961 the first Sisters of Mercy of Gort, County Galway arrived from Ireland at Father O'Hare's request, and the parish school opened. Father Michael F. Hanrahan, assigned in 1969, launched the building campaign that produced the present church, dedicated on October 15, 1982 — the Feast of St. Teresa of Avila — with seating for 950 and furnishings handcrafted by Jerry Clements. Father Murray's late-1990s campaign added the gymnasium and education building (dedicated October 15, 2001). Father Michael E. Giglio (2004–2009) created the Finance, Building, and Pastoral Councils and began Masses at assisted-living facilities. Since January 2, 2009 the parish has been staffed by the Salvatorian Fathers (SDS), with Fr. Krzysztof "Chris" Bugno, SDS as pastor and Fr. Mark Sarniewicz, SDS as associate.
- Pastors since 1958: O'Hare, Hanrahan, Murray, Giglio, Bugno (SDS)
- Current pastor: Rev. Krzysztof (Chris) Bugno, SDS
- Associate: Rev. Mark Sarniewicz, SDS
- 1,800+ registered families today
Devotions and Prayer Life
Beyond Mass and Adoration, the parish keeps a daily rhythm of prayer: the Liturgy of the Hours (Morning Prayer) before the 8:30 Mass Monday through Thursday, the daily Rosary in the Chapel at 9:00 AM, and the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena on Tuesdays after the 8:30 Mass. Litanies follow the 8:30 Mass, and the parish observes the Blessed Mother Devotion in May, the Sacred Heart Devotion in June, and Fatima Sundays on the third Sunday from May through October.
- Liturgy of the Hours (Morning Prayer): Mon–Thu 8:10 AM
- Rosary: Mon–Sat 9:00 AM in the Chapel
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena: Tuesdays after 8:30 AM Mass
- Spanish Adoration & Prayer Group: Thursdays 6:00 PM
- Fatima Sundays: 3rd Sunday, May–October, 3:00–4:30 PM
- Litanies after the 8:30 AM Mass
- Blessed Mother Devotion in May
- Sacred Heart Devotion in June
- Divine Mercy Novena
Faith Formation & Religious Education
St. Teresa's Faith Formation Office, led by Greg Clouser (321-349-5445, [email protected]), runs the parish's catechetical and sacramental-preparation programs. K–8 Religious Education classes meet Wednesday evenings from August through May in the school building, with training and fingerprinting required for all catechists. The Little Rock Scripture Study group, Bible Study, and Theological Formation Program round out adult offerings.
- Religious Education (CCD) for grades K–8: Wednesdays 5:30–6:45 PM, Aug–May, at St. Teresa School
- Baptism Preparation: three times per year (January, May, September) in the Faith Formation Room, Avila Hall
- First Holy Communion Preparation: 3rd-grade students (school and Religious Ed)
- RCIA / OCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults): Thursdays throughout the year in Avila Hall
- Bible Study / Little Rock Scripture Study
- Vacation Bible School: one week in June
Youth Ministry
The parish's youth ministry welcomes students from 6th through 12th grade. The St. Teresa Youth Group meets monthly for Faith Nights, social outings (bowling, movies, pizza parties), and service work such as helping serve the Community Breakfast at the Methodist Church in downtown Titusville. The group also sponsors summer trips including Camp Veritas (Lake Placid, Florida) and the Ave Maria Youth Conference.
- Youth Group for grades 6–12 — monthly meetings
- Service: Community Breakfast at downtown Methodist church
- Summer: Camp Veritas (Lake Placid) and Ave Maria Youth Conference
- Altar Server Ministry
- Vacation Bible Study
- Contact: Faith Formation Office, 321-349-5445, [email protected]
St. Teresa Catholic School
St. Teresa Catholic School has served the parish and the Titusville community since 1961, when Father John B. O'Hare brought the first Sisters of Mercy of Gort, County Galway over from Ireland. The school's mission is to provide a quality education that challenges and empowers students to develop their full potential, rooted in Gospel values and Catholic tradition. By 1965 enrollment had reached 760 students taught by eight lay teachers and seven Sisters, making it the largest elementary school in the then-Diocese of Orlando. Today the school continues to serve Pre-K through 8th grade.
- Grades: Pre-K3 through 8th
- Principal: Mary McCrory — 321-267-1643
- Parish: Sisters of Mercy of Gort, County Galway (arrived 1961)
- Volunteer opportunities: playground supervision, clinic, technology, classroom helpers, library, lunch supervision, tutoring
- All volunteers must be fingerprinted
Liturgical Ministries
A full team of lay liturgical ministers supports the parish's daily Masses, weekend liturgies, and Adoration. The Director of Music & Liturgy is Ina Smith (904-608-1655 mobile). Catechist training and fingerprinting are required for those who work with children.
- Altar Servers
- Lectors (Readers) — proclaim God's Word at daily and weekend Masses
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Ushers — greet, take up the collection, hand out bulletins, help at Communion
- Music Ministry / Choir
- Catechists for Religious Education
Parish Life, Outreach & Groups
St. Teresa's is a parish of more than 1,800 families that describes itself as a multi-ethnic, multi-generational tapestry of faith. Outreach and community groups include long-standing organizations (the Catholic Women's Club, founded 1953, and the Holy Name Society, founded 1950), as well as parish councils and service ministries. The parish welcomes visiting mission groups such as the Missionaries of Compassion, who have spoken about their work serving abandoned elderly, orphaned children, the incurably ill, and the disabled.
- Ministry to the Sick — Charlene Voss, 321-698-5133
- Bereavement Ministry — Nicole McCaffrey
- Catholic Women's Club (since 1953)
- Holy Name Society (since 1950)
- Pastoral Council, Finance Council, Building Committee
- Gift Shop — open before/after each weekend Mass and weekdays 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Parish Picnic, Ethnic Mass (4th Sunday of Lent), and Parish Directory/Yearbook
Parish Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by a pastor and associate pastor of the Salvatorian Community (Society of the Divine Savior, SDS), supported by an office manager, bookkeeper, bulletin editor, faith-formation director, director of music, school principal, pastoral-care coordinator, and maintenance director. The staff page on the parish website was last updated November 20, 2025.
- Fr. Krzysztof (Chris) Bugno, SDS — Pastor, 321-268-3441
- Fr. Mark Sarniewicz, SDS — Associate Pastor
- Greg Clouser — Faith Formation / RCIA / Sacramental Prep / Youth Ministry, 321-349-5445
- Ina Smith — Director of Music & Liturgy, 904-608-1655
- Mary McCrory — Principal, St. Teresa School, 321-267-1643
- Charlene Voss — Pastoral Care / Ministry to the Sick, 321-698-5133
- Nicole McCaffrey — Office Manager / Bereavement, 321-268-3441
- Maria McDonald — Bookkeeper, 321-268-3441
- Kathleen Weldon — Bulletin Editor, 321-268-3441
- Matt Horner — Director of Facilities/Maintenance, 321-268-3441
Visit, Contact & Directions
The parish offices are open weekdays; the Gift Shop is open before and after each weekend Mass and weekdays from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The parish is located west of the Village Inn on US-1, south of Garden Street and north of Highway 50, on Ojibway Street in Titusville. Faith-formation inquiries can be directed to [email protected] or 321-349-5445 (voice or text).
- Address: 203 Ojibway Street, Titusville, FL 32780
- Parish Office: 321-268-3441
- Parish Fax: 321-268-3270
- School: 321-267-1643
- Faith Formation: 321-349-5445 — [email protected]
- Music Ministry: 904-608-1655 (Ina Smith)
- Pastoral Care: 321-698-5133 (Charlene Voss)
- Location: west of Village Inn on US-1, between Garden St. and Hwy 50
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. John F. O'Boyle1886–1895
Irish priest from Donegal; arrived 1886, built the 1892 mission chapel at Hopkins and Orange Avenue. Transferred to Daytona in 1895; died 1927.
- Rev. Boreslaw Radka1921–c.1933
Second resident priest of Titusville; built the Parsonage in 1926 (later Titusville's first hospital in WWII). Buried in Rockledge.
- Rev. Daniel Hegartyc.1933–c.1941
Built the second church in 1937.
- Rev. Reynolds1941
Pastor during WWII era.
- Rev. Bucko1950
Founded the parish Holy Name Society.
- Rev. Cordey1953
Began the Catholic Women's Club.
- Rev. Spellman1957
Catholic community numbered about 300 families.
- Rev. John B. O'Hare1958–c.1969
Founding pastor when Archbishop Hurley established St. Teresa's as an independent parish on Jan. 5, 1958; dedicated the first church July 3, 1960; went to Ireland in 1960 to recruit the Sisters of Mercy.
- Rev. Michael F. Hanrahan1969–c.1989
Led building campaign for the present church, dedicated Oct. 15, 1982 (Feast of St. Teresa of Avila). Died February 2004; buried in Ireland.
- Rev. Murraylate 1990s–2004
Three-year capital campaign produced the gymnasium and education building dedicated Oct. 15, 2001. Transferred 2004 to Our Lady, Star of the Sea, New Smyrna Beach.
- Rev. Michael E. Giglio2004–2009
Established Finance, Building, and Pastoral Councils; began Masses at assisted-living facilities. Transferred January 2009 to a parish in Port Orange.
- Rev. Krzysztof (Chris) Bugno, SDS2009–present
First Salvatorian pastor; arrived from Sacred Heart Church, Rockne, Texas. Introduced the Ethnic Mass, Divine Mercy devotion (with image painted in Poland), Fatima Sundays, and parish directory.
- Rev. Mark Sarniewicz, SDSAssociate Pastor (current)
Returned to St. Teresa as Associate after serving 10 years as Pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish and earlier 3 years as Associate here.
- Rev. Eugene Grytner, SDSAssociate Pastor, arrived June 2, 2009
Salvatorian from Poland; nearly 30 years a missionary in Africa before coming to Titusville.
- Rev. Roy EcoAssociate Pastor (until 2009)
Left when the parish was entrusted to the Salvatorians.