Holy Family Parish began on June 10, 1974, when Bishop Paul F. Tanner, then Bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine, appointed Monsignor Daniel B. Logan to establish a new parish in the developing Baymeadows-Deerwood area.
The first Mass of this new parish was celebrated on August 25, 1974 in the gymnasium of Jacksonville County Day School with an attendance of 130 people. Masses continued to be held there until April 14, 1979, when the first Mass was celebrated in the new church, built on 10 acres of property located on Baymeadows Road.
Over the years, the parish continued to grow with the community. The rectory and offices were built in 1982. In 1986, the Parish Center was dedicated. This Multipurpose facility had movable walls so that it could serve both as banquet facilities for over 300 or as six Religious Education classrooms. Its roomy kitchen was designed so that it could be used as a cafeteria should a school be built.
Meanwhile, the Southside of Jacksonville continued its rapid growth. Many apartments, town homes and condominiums were built along Baymeadows and Southside. Population in the area soared, and Holy Family was feeling the growing pains. In 1996, Bishop John J. Snyder blessed our church extension. Not only did this church extension give us seating capacity of over 750 at mass, it gave us a large entrance area (called a narthex) for hospitality, a religious articles shop, and a large covered entry.
But Monsignor Logan only was able to enjoy the new facility a few more years, when in June 1999 he was transferred to Our Lady Star of the Sea parish in Ponte Vedra Beach. Many families were disheartened by this announcement, as the parish had just celebrated the 25th anniversary of the parish – all under the shepherding of Monsignor Logan.
The new pastor, Father Gregory J. Fay, came to Holy Family at Monsignor Logan’s departure. Like Monsignor Logan, Father Greg had established a new parish twenty-one years ago (1979) in North West St. John’s County. That parish, San Juan del Rio, had grown to over 950 families and opened a new school under Father Greg’s direction.
Holy Family continued to expand under Father Greg's direction when Holy Family Catholic School opened in August 2002. This education building not only serves as a school, but also provides the parish with a facility for ministry meetings and classrooms for Parish Religious Education.
Bishop Victor Galeone appointed Fr. Timothy J. Cusick, Pastor of Holy Family on January 1, 2011. Holy Family continues to expand and there is a warm community atmosphere here. One has a sense of belonging in this house of the Lord and a feeling of family.
In July of 2018, Bishop Estévez appointed Fr. David Keegan as administrator of the parish, and he was installed as pastor on the Feast of the Holy Family, December 30, 2018. Holy Family is a vibrant, faith-filled parish serving 1724 registered families. In response to the Great Commission (Matt 28:19), we desire to foster community and form missionary disciples so that the Gospel message can be shared with everyone in our local area and beyond. We realize that the best way to achieve this is through a reverent and faithful celebration of the Sacred Liturgy and an active participation in the sacramental life of the Church. Under the patronage of St. Joseph and the Blessed Mother we seek to strengthen families, of all sizes and at all stages, through personal, intentional encounters with the Jesus, whether in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament or through sharing in small groups. Please check the parish website or bulletin for information on how to get connected with us.