Holy Family Catholic Church

Holy Family was established in 1968, with 26 Catholics in attendance at the first Liturgy at Knauff’s Funeral Home Chapel.  Bishop Paul Tanner, of St. Augustine, assigned Fr. Richard Altenbaugh of St. Madeline Sophie Parish, High Springs to our Mission.  Our first Mass was held at the Williston Women’s Club.  After a few months, and with the graciousness of the church members, Mass was held at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church.  Along with religious education being taught to the children in an adjacent facility.  After three years, our members had grown large enough to necessitate starting a place of our own.   

Ten acres were purchased 2 ½ miles west of Williston on Highway 27 Alternate.  On December 13, 1970, groundbreaking ceremonies were held.  The faithful attending the groundbreaking were Father Altenbaugh, Walter & Hazel Anderson, John & Jean Bastanzi and family, James & Kay Clark, Walter & Marguerite Collins and family, William & Suzanne Dees and family, Eugenia Lamothe, Rudolph & Martha Leisch, Harrison & Margaret Mackey and Robert & Helen Poupard and family. 

In June of 1971, Bishop Paul Tanner blessed the church and dedicated it as “Holy Family”, a name chosen by the members themselves.  Succeeding missionary priests were: Father Michael Williams, 1971, Father Paul Hogarty, 1973, Father Roland Julien, 1974.  Our first resident priest was Father John Gillespie who was assigned on October 1, 1975.  During this time, Holy Family Catholic Church was designated a parish with a mission at Inglis, Florida.   

January, 1979, Father Anthony Sebra was installed as pastor.  January 1980 brought Father Patrick Foley as spiritual leader of the parish.  There were about 125 families at that time.  Fr. Foley redesigned the interior with a forty foot extension plus the addition of a social hall.  Three years later, he hired the first nun, Sister Caroline Kearney.  Sister Caroline served the community for five years.  Deacon Al Ward assisted Father Foley from June 1981 and is still a Deacon in the parish.  In May, 1987, Father Michael Dubriel was ordained; the first priest ordained from Holy Family Catholic Church. 

May, 1983, Monsignor R. Joseph James celebrated his first mass as pastor of Holy Family.  Then, on August 18, 1987, Father Nicholas Glisson assumed the office of Pastor.  During this time, from 1989-1990 Deacon Bob Napier was assigned to help Father Glisson.  Deacon Napier was ordained as a priest in May, 1990 and celebrated his first mass at Holy Family.  Father Glisson left in 1991 for California to study church design. 

Rev. John Pollard served from August 1, 1991 to June 17, 1993, when Father James Moss was assigned.  On April 13, 1993 pews were installed in the church and folding chairs were removed.  Sunday, June 6, 1993 the 25^th Jubilee Anniversary was celebrated with a covered dish.  On March 12, 1995, a ground breaking ceremony was held for a rectory, classrooms and a chapel.  June 1997, an entrance with stained glass windows was added.   

August 18, 1997, Sister Nicole Cayer and Sister Laboure Brusnahan came to work as DRE and assistant, respectively.  A few years later, Sister Charlotte Tremoulet replaced Sister Laboure. 

Father Paul Donnelly and Father Grover Tipton were transferred to Holy Family in June, 1999.  On January 23, 2001, Father Tipton was assigned as his administrative assistant.  During Easter week, traveling to Gainesville from Williston, Father Tipton suffered a fatal heart attack.  Father Donnelly died, following Fr. Tipton just four months later that same year. 

Father Alan Bower was appointed as pastor and remained until he was transferred to Jacksonville on December 30, 2004.  Father Bower started a Spanish Mass on Saturday nights.  Father Rodolfo Godinez, the first Mexican priest, assumed pastoral responsibilities on January 1, 2005.  He continued the Spanish Mass and continues to bring many into the church.