Diocese: Diocese of the South
Deanery: North Florida Deanery
Address
1277 N Paul Dr
Inverness, Florida 34453
Email:
Website: straphaelchurch.org
Office: 352-201-9685
Parish Contacts
Directions
General Location
Inverness is located about 80 miles northeast of Tampa and about 80 miles northwest of Orlando.
From Tampa
take Interstate 75 north to the exit, which will take you Route 44 west to Inverness. The locality is named Wildwood. Continue west to Inverness where you will have to go either left or right. Take a right turn. At this point Route 44 merges with Route 41. Continue up 44/41 to the point where Route 41 angles right and Route 44 goes straight ahead. Take Route 41 north about three miles. Just past a Citgo gas station you will see the church on the left. Take a left on that street. You should also see a sign for the development which reads Highland Estates.
From Orlando
Take the Florida Turnpike north where it will merge with Interstate 75. Continue onInterstate 75 north to the exit, which will take you Route 44 west to Inverness. The locality is named Wildwood. Continue west to Inverness where you will have to go either left or right. Take a right turn. At this point Route 44 merges with Route 41. Continue up 44/41 to the point where Route 41 angles right and Route 44 goes straight ahead. Take Route 41 north about three miles. Just past a Citgo gas station you will see the church on the left. Take a left on that street. You should also see a sign for the development which reads Highland Estates.
Schedule of Services
4:00 PM Great Vespers.
Saturday Evening
9:30 AM Hours, 10:00 AM Divine Liturgy.
Sunday Morning
Confessions are heard before each service.
Confessions
For a complete list of upcoming services, please visit the Services/Monthly Calendar page on the parish website.
Parish Background
In the mid 80’s, Father Philip Reese, approached Father Desmond Gill, of a local Roman Catholic church, who permitted a chapel, and later a classroom for about 15 parishoners to celebrate the Divine Liturgy. When Father Reese was transferred, Father Raphael Rozdilski, of blessed memory, and later Father Mark Stevens, served the Divine Liturgy. Father Mark encouraged us in our quest to become an OCA Orthodox Mission. During this period we were blessed with an influx of “newly retired” who were part of the population growth in this area.
In 1999 about 19 people met at one member’s home to discuss starting the Mission. Our goals included regular weekly services, the addition of five new members, have our own space (no knock-down etc.). We knew were were going in the right direction because our efforts quickly came to fruition. By 2000 a storefront property provided a meeting place. We were also blessed to have Father George Breyan, a retired priest, along with Matushka Natalie, to serve our needs during this exciting time of parish growth.
In 2004 a new property with a church building and a separate annex building was purchased. The church building has undergone extensive remodeling and currently contains a sanctuary, nave, two offices and a room for expansion. The additional building was remodeled in the Spring of 2007 to become our new hall and classroom.
June of 2006 saw the assignment of our first resident priest, Father David Balmer, with an enriched service schedule, classes and hospital visits.
Our patron saint is St. Raphael (Hawaweeny) of Brooklyn, the first Orthodox bishop consecrated in the New World. He was glorified in 2000, the same year we really began to hold regular services. Because we wanted to reach Orthodox of every national lineage, we felt St. Raphael was most appropriate. Currently our parish is in a state of growth, with a special mission of finding lapsed Orthodox Christians in the counties we serve.
We would love to have you worship with us.
