About St. Vincent Ferrer · Delray Beach, Florida
St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church & School is one of the oldest parishes in the Diocese of Palm Beach, located on George Bush Boulevard in Delray Beach, Florida. Founded in 1941 and now serving over 2,800 families from many cultural backgrounds, the parish combines a worship campus (church, perpetual adoration chapel, parish hall) with an adjoining Catholic school (Pre-K 3 through 8th grade, the 'Vikings') on George Bush Boulevard. Its mission is to nurture Christ's love through the Eucharist, the sacraments, prayer, education in faith, and service to the poor and needy. The parish is known for its welcoming family life, its 5:30 PM Sunday Contemporary Mass, and its annual community Festival.
- Established
- 1941
- Patron
- St. Vincent Ferrer
- Rector
- Fr. Bob Pope
- Diocese
- Diocese of Palm Beach
Why belong here
St. Vincent Ferrer is a long-established, multi-generational Catholic community in coastal Delray Beach where families of many cultural backgrounds worship together and grow in faith. Daily Mass, four Sunday Masses including a 5:30 PM Contemporary Mass, a 24/7 Perpetual Adoration Chapel, an extensive confession schedule, and a wide range of ministries (youth, young adults, grief, Legion of Mary, Rosary for Peace, school, and more) give parishioners many ways to encounter Christ. Its on-site Catholic school, Pre-K 3 through 8th grade, and the annual community Festival make it a true parish-and-school home for South Palm Beach County families.
Mass times at St. Vincent Ferrer
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:30–3:30 PM (except Holy Saturday)
- Saturday 9:30 AM (per directory listing)
- After weekday Mass in the sacristy (if a priest is available)
- By appointment — call or email the Parish Office
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration Chapel of the Immaculate Conception — open daily 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM (closed during Mass)
- Locked access only 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM — code obtainable from the Parish Office
Parish History
St. Vincent Ferrer is one of the oldest parishes in the Diocese of Palm Beach, founded in 1941 out of a mission that had been quietly meeting since 1920 in the O'Malley family home. The first pastor, Father William Carroll, was followed by the legendary Father John J. Kellaghan (1944–c.1963), an Irish priest whose 19 years of leadership produced the original church, the school, and most of the present campus footprint. Subsequent pastors — Fathers John Skehan, Francis Guinan, and Dennis Gonzales — each continued building on that foundation. Father Dennis Gonzales was installed as pastor by Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito on September 11, 2022, and during his tenure the church interior was fully renovated in 2023.
- 1920 — First Mass said in the O'Malley family home
- April 15, 1941 — First Mass in the Delray Theatre; parish declared; Father William Carroll becomes first pastor
- May 1944 — Father John J. Kellaghan becomes second pastor
- April 26, 1949 — First Mass in the original church; dedicated May 20, 1949 by Auxiliary Bishop Thomas McDonough
- Aug. 25, 1955 — Four Sisters of Mercy from Kinsale, Ireland arrive
- Oct. 25, 1955 — Parish school opens (K–6)
- Oct. 12, 1969 — Archbishop Carroll of Miami breaks ground for the present church
- Dec. 19, 1970 — Archbishop Carroll dedicates the new church
- 2002 — Parish Family Life Center built; contains a hall dedicated to Father Kellaghan
- 2008 — Permanent Perpetual Adoration Chapel opens
- Sept. 11, 2022 — Father Dennis Gonzales installed as pastor
- Sept. 7, 2023 — Parish returns to renovated church after summer Masses in the school gym
Who We Are — Mission & Vision
The parish describes itself as a Catholic community dedicated to the mission of Jesus Christ, working as stewards of God's gifts. Its stated commitments are: supporting its school, living God's Word in daily life, providing education in faith to its members, sharing the Catholic faith with others, and serving the poor, the disadvantaged, and the needy. Through participation in the Eucharist, the sacraments, and prayer the parish expresses its unity in Christ and proclaims His saving message.
- Pastoral Team: Fr. Bob Pope (Pastor), Parochial Vicar, Rev. Danis Ridore (Resident Priest), Dcn. Greg Osgood (Pastoral Associate)
- Pastoral Associate team also includes Bob Laquerre and Deacon Keith 'Rusty'
- Weekend assistance clergy: Very Reverend Canon Thomas J. Skelley, Rev. Msgr. Stephen Bosso, S.T.L., S.S.L., Rev. Charles Hawkins
- Parish Manager: George Kunzman
- Director of Stewardship & Development: Julie Ott
- Director of Family Life Services: Irene Hey
- School Principal: Mrs. Vikki Delgado (with Mrs. Denise O'Loughlin, M.A.Ed., also referenced)
St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic School
Adjacent to the church, St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic School (the 'Vikings') has served Pre-K 3 through 8th grade students on the same George Bush Boulevard campus since 1955. After a 2002 expansion the school building is twice its original size and accommodates up to 430–480 students. The school's mission is to form strong moral character, foster lifelong friendships, and ignite a passionate love of learning, all rooted in the Catholic faith — students are taught to put their 'Hearts to God, Minds to Learning, Talents to Service,' while being Stewards of the Earth.
- Founded 1955 by four Sisters of Mercy from Kinsale, Ireland
- Grades: Pre-K 3 through 8th grade
- Campus address: 810 George Bush Blvd., Delray Beach, FL 33483
- School phone: (561) 278-3868; Fax: (561) 279-9508
- Motto: Hearts to God, Minds to Learning, Talents to Service, Stewards of the Earth
- Athletic teams known as the Vikings
Parish Ministries & Groups
St. Vincent Ferrer offers a wide range of parish ministries and small groups for every age and stage of life. Beyond its active liturgical life, the parish supports ministries that reach young adults, those grieving, the Marian Legion of Mary, a Rosary for Peace prayer group, P.O.P.S., and an on-campus AA 'Practicing the Principles' meeting.
- Young Adults Ministry
- Grief Ministry
- Legion of Mary
- Rosary for Peace
- P.O.P.S.
- AA – Practicing the Principles
- Religious Education (CCD) program for parish children
St. Vincent Ferrer Festival
The annual St. Vincent Ferrer Festival is one of the parish's signature community events, now in its 59th year. Held on the parish and school campus at 810 George Bush Blvd., the Festival features live entertainment, thrilling rides (in partnership with Doolan Amusement Company), kids' attractions, raffles, carnival games, and food — and offers free parking. It is a family-friendly celebration that brings together the parish, the school, and the wider South Palm Beach County community.
- 59+ years running
- Held on the parish/school campus at 810 George Bush Blvd., Delray Beach
- Features Doolan Amusement rides, kids' attractions, games, raffles, food, and live entertainment
- Free parking
Contact, Office & Campus
The parish campus sits on George Bush Boulevard, a short distance from Delray Beach's Atlantic coastline. The Parish Office is open Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and Saturday and Sunday 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Family Life Services is a separate line for sacramental and family-life coordination. The school and church share the same campus but have different street addresses (church at 840, school at 810).
- Church: 840 George Bush Blvd., Delray Beach, FL 33483
- School: 810 George Bush Blvd., Delray Beach, FL 33483
- Parish Office: (561) 276-6892
- Family Life Services: (561) 665-8566
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM; Sat–Sun 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father William Carroll1941 – c.1944
First pastor; named shortly after the 1941 mission Mass in the Delray Theatre.
- Father John J. Kellaghan1944 – c.1963
Second pastor; 19 years of service. Irish-born visionary; acquired the George Bush Blvd. land, built the first church (dedicated 1949), and launched the parish school (opened 1955). Honored by a hall named for him in the 2002 Family Life Center.
- Father John SkehanAfter Father Kellaghan
Succeeded Father Kellaghan.
- Father Francis GuinanAfter Father Skehan
Succeeded Father Skehan.
- Father Dennis GonzalesInstalled Sept. 11, 2022
Installed as pastor by Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito; oversaw the 2023 church interior beautification.