About St. Theresa Catholic Church · Belleview, Florida
St. Theresa Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Belleview, Marion County, Florida, in the Diocese of Orlando. The community grew out of a 1940s mission of Blessed Trinity Parish in Ocala and was formally established in 1951, making it one of the older Catholic parishes in southern Marion County. Best known for its exceptional charitable outreach — a year-round daily soup kitchen, food pantry, social-services office, and thrift shop serving tens of thousands of people each year — the parish dedicated a new $3.4 million cruciform sanctuary in April 2016 to accommodate its more than 1,000 registered families. It is widely recognized for its strong devotion to St. Thérèse of Lisieux (the Little Flower), patroness of the parish and of missionaries, and offers Mass in both English and Spanish.
- Established
- 1946
- Patron
- St. Thérèse of Lisieux (the Little Flower)
- Rector
- Father Tom Connery
- Diocese
- Diocese of Orlando
Why belong here
St. Theresa is a parish that lives out its faith by feeding the hungry: a 365-day soup kitchen serves more than 150 meals a day (and never closed during the COVID-19 pandemic), while a food pantry, social-services office, and parish thrift store collectively helped more than 75,000 clients and family members in 2023. Worshippers find a vibrant, family-friendly community that celebrated its new $3.4 million cruciform sanctuary in 2016, a bilingual (English/Spanish) liturgical life, robust faith formation for children, teens, and adults, and a distinctive Little Flower spirituality drawn from the parish's patroness, St. Thérèse of Lisieux — all in a small-town setting just north of The Villages.
Mass times at St. Theresa Catholic Church
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 12:00–12:30 PM
- Saturday 9:00–9:30 AM (or by appointment)
About St. Theresa Catholic Church
St. Theresa Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in Belleview, Florida, in the Diocese of Orlando. It was born as a mission of Blessed Trinity Parish in Ocala in the 1940s and was elevated to parish status in 1966. Today it serves more than 1,000 registered families and is one of the most visible charitable institutions in southern Marion County, anchored by a 365-day soup kitchen, food pantry, social-services office, and parish thrift store. The current sanctuary, dedicated in April 2016, is a $3.4 million cruciform building seating about 550 worshippers. The parish's motto, drawn from its patroness, is St. Thérèse of Lisieux's 'Simple acts of kindness done with great love.'
- Parish of more than 1,000 registered families
- Located at 11528 S. US Hwy 301, Belleview, FL 34420
- Member of the Diocese of Orlando
- Distinctive devotion to St. Thérèse of Lisieux (the Little Flower)
History & Founding
St. Theresa traces its roots to the mid-1940s, when a small group of Belleview Catholics organized a new mission under the pastoral care of Monsignor George W. Cummings of Blessed Trinity in Ocala. Sunday Masses were first celebrated in the Belleview City Hall beside Lake Lillian. Pioneering laypeople — Mrs. Boy, Mrs. L.W. Curtis, Mrs. Belle Davis, Mrs. Tom Mallory, and Mrs. Evelyn McKeever — held spaghetti dinners, picnics, dances, and bake sales to fund a future church. In 1950 Archbishop (then Bishop) Patrick Hurley purchased four acres on U.S. 301 from the Wallace family, and in 1951 the original Church of St. Theresa was completed at a cost of $12,000, built by Ocala contractor John Knope, a convert to Catholicism, with a $2,500 grant from the Catholic Extension Society. The mission was raised to parish status in 1966, and a dramatically larger cruciform sanctuary was dedicated on April 5, 2016.
- Mid-1940s: mission organized under Blessed Trinity, Ocala
- 1946–1966: Msgr. George W. Cummings shepherded the mission from Ocala; Masses in Belleview City Hall
- 1950: Four acres on U.S. 301 purchased from the Wallace family by Archbishop Hurley
- 1951: Original church (168 seats) completed for $12,000; dedicated by Bishop Hurley
- 1966: Elevated from mission to parish
- 1970–1976: Fr. John Mitzi era — major renovations and introduction of girl altar servers
- 2016: New $3.4 million cruciform sanctuary dedicated April 5
Architecture & Sanctuary
The current St. Theresa sanctuary was designed by Darryl Podunavac, senior director of design, construction and facilities maintenance services for the Diocese of Orlando, working with a parish building committee of about a dozen parishioners. Construction began in March 2015; the church was dedicated April 5, 2016 and the first Sunday Mass was celebrated April 10, 2016. The cruciform building is 9,200 square feet with ceilings approximately the height of a five-story building and seating for about 550 worshippers — roughly 200 more than the original sanctuary could accommodate. The interior is painted in bright tans and taupes, with seven tall stained-glass windows on each side, dark ceiling beams that echo the wooden rafters of the original church on a much larger scale, a baptismal font near the entrance, the 14 Stations of the Cross flanking the nave, and the original crucifix relocated from the older building. The 1951 church is preserved on the campus for the parish's outreach ministries.
- Cruciform floor plan designed by Diocese of Orlando design office
- 9,200 sq ft; ceilings ~5 stories tall
- Approximately 550 seats
- Seven tall stained-glass windows per side
- Original crucifix and dark ceiling-beam motif preserved
Leadership & Clergy
The parish is currently led by Father Tom Connery, who became pastor in 2018 after serving St. Peter Parish in DeLand. Father Jim Torpey serves as Retired Associate Priest in residence. A long line of pastors and associate pastors has shaped St. Theresa since its founding, including Monsignor George W. Cummings, who founded and tended the mission from Blessed Trinity in Ocala (1946–1966); Fr. Jose Oti, the parish's first resident pastor (1966–1970); Fr. John Mitzi (1970–1976), who oversaw the marble-altar renovation and introduced girl altar servers; Fr. Uhran (from 1976); and Fr. David Vivero (2010s–2018), who led the new-sanctuary project.
- Father Tom Connery — current pastor (since 2018)
- Father Jim Torpey — Retired Associate Priest
- Complete succession list available in the pastor_history array
Faith Formation & Religious Education
The parish offers year-round faith formation for all ages. Children's Faith Formation serves preK and elementary students with age-appropriate environments that introduce them to Jesus and His Church. Teen Faith Formation and Youth Ministry challenge teens and young adults to grow as 'world changers.' Adult Faith Formation and RCIA/Alpha (under RCIA Director Blair Learn) accompany adults deepening their faith or preparing for full initiation into the Catholic Church. Laura DiCaro directs Religious Education.
- Children's Faith Formation (preK + elementary)
- Teen Faith Formation / Youth Ministry
- Adult Faith Formation
- RCIA / Alpha
- Music Ministry (Julie Hamlin, Director)
Outreach & Social Services
St. Theresa's outreach is one of the most extensive in the Diocese of Orlando. Founded more than 35 years ago, the Social Services Ministry served over 75,000 clients and family members in 2023 and works regardless of faith, race, or situation in life. The 365-day Soup Kitchen serves 150+ meals a day and never closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Food Pantry (M–F 9 AM–12 PM) distributes food donated by the USDA through FarmShare and other sources. The parish Thrift Store (M–Sat 9 AM–2:30 PM) sells donated clothing, household items, toys, and gifts at bargain prices, with proceeds funding parish ministries. Social Services Benevolence provides utility/rent payments, emergency short-term motel stays, employment assistance, and direct help for the homeless. The parish partners with other churches through the Belleview Area Social Services (BASS) Network.
- 365-Day Soup Kitchen (11 AM–1 PM daily)
- Food Pantry (M–F 9 AM–12 PM)
- Social Services / Benevolence (M–F 9 AM–1 PM) — call (352) 245-1359
- Parish Thrift Store (M–Sat 9 AM–2:30 PM)
- Gift Shop (after weekend Masses)
- Knights of Columbus
- St. Theresa's Guild (Ladies' Guild)
- BASS (Belleview Area Social Services) Network
- Blanketing Belleview with Blessings community service initiative
Devotion to St. Thérèse of Lisieux
St. Thérèse of Lisieux (1873–1897), the Little Flower, Doctor of the Church, and patroness of missionaries, is the patroness of St. Theresa Parish and a daily spiritual companion to its members. Father Tom Connery has a strong personal devotion to her — she is patroness of priests — and has led several parish-wide observances: a 31-day devotional starting October 1 (her feast day) for her 150th birthday year, with Bishop John Noonan presiding at the kick-off Mass on January 2, 2022; celebrations of the 25th anniversary of her being declared a Doctor of the Church (2022); and the year-long observance of the 100th anniversary of her canonization (1925–2025). The parish strives to live out her 'Little Way' — small acts of kindness done with great love.
- Patroness: St. Thérèse of Lisieux (feast day October 1)
- 1925–2025: 100th anniversary of St. Thérèse's canonization
- 150th birthday of St. Thérèse marked on Jan. 2, 2023
- 31-day devotional booklet authored by Fr. Tom Connery
Sacraments
St. Theresa prepares parishioners for and celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments, including Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation, Marriage preparation, Anointing of the Sick, and Funeral Masses. Reconciliation (Confession) is regularly scheduled on Tuesdays and Saturdays (or by appointment). Holy Communion is brought to the sick and homebound upon request through the Parish Office. Emergency sick calls are handled by calling the parish office at (352) 245-2458.
- Baptism
- First Communion & Confirmation
- Marriage
- Anointing of the Sick (at weekend Masses as needed)
- Funerals
- Holy Communion for the sick/homebound
- Reconciliation (Confession): Tue 12:00–12:30 PM, Sat 9:00–9:30 AM, or by appointment
Visiting & Contact Information
Visitors and newcomers are warmly welcomed. The Parish Office is open Monday through Thursday 8 AM to 4 PM and Friday 8 AM to noon. The Soup Kitchen (11 AM–1 PM, 365 days a year) is open to anyone in need. The Gift Shop is open after weekend Masses. The parish is located at 11528 S. US Highway 301, Belleview, Florida 34420 — just south of Belleview and north of The Villages. For prayer requests, the 24-hour St. Theresa Prayer Hotline can be reached at (352) 496-1569.
- Parish Office: 11528 S. US Hwy 301, Belleview, FL 34420 — (352) 245-2458
- Parish Office Hours: M–Th 8 AM–4 PM; F 8 AM–12 PM
- Social Services direct line: (352) 245-1359
- Prayer Hotline: (352) 496-1569 (24 hours)
- Website: http://www.mystcc.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Monsignor George W. Cummings1946–1966
Pastor of Blessed Trinity in Ocala who founded and tended St. Theresa Mission from Blessed Trinity; celebrated the first Masses at Belleview City Hall beside Lake Lillian.
- Fr. William Corry1966–1970
While still pastor of Blessed Trinity, opened the mission of St. John the Baptist in Dunnellon in connection with the new St. Theresa parish.
- Fr. Jose Oti1966–1970
First resident pastor of St. Theresa parish (raised from mission in 1966 by Archbishop Hurley); native of Spain; also oversaw St. John the Baptist Mission, Dunnellon; departed the priesthood to marry and was temporarily replaced by Fr. Paul Woodyard.
- Fr. Paul Woodyard1970
Brief tenure assisting during the transition after Fr. Oti's departure; retired shortly afterward.
- Fr. John Mitzi1970–1976
Native of Malta, ordained in St. John's Cathedral, Valletta, April 6, 1957; previously served in the Diocese of London, Ontario (Windsor, Stratford, Tillsonburg) and in Florida at St. Joan of Arc (Boca Raton) and St. Helen (Vero Beach). Major renovations: marble (Georgia granite) altar of reposition, wall-to-wall carpeting, solid oak pews, full rewiring, central A/C and heating, rectory remodeling. About 1974, with Bishop Grady's permission, introduced girl altar servers — possibly the first in the Diocese of Orlando.
- Fr. Joseph Hacket, O.M.I.1970–1971
Associate pastor under Fr. Mitzi; known for his acute sense of humor.
- Fr. Tony Riffle1971–1976
Associate pastor under Fr. Mitzi.
- Fr. Uhran1976–
Succeeded Fr. Mitzi in June 1976; expanded parish staff and operations; oversaw continuation of physical improvements begun under Fr. Mitzi.
- Fr. David Vivero2010s–2018
Led the design, fundraising, and construction of the new $3.4 million cruciform sanctuary (March 2015 groundbreaking; dedicated April 5, 2016; first Sunday Mass April 10, 2016). Pastored a growing parish of more than 1,000 families.
- Fr. Tom Connery2018–present
Current pastor. Came from St. Peter Parish in DeLand. Authored a 31-day devotional for St. Thérèse's 150th birthday year (2022–2023); created 'Blanketing Belleview with Blessings' community service initiative. Strong personal devotion to St. Thérèse as patroness of priests.