Orthodox Church Serving Tampa, FL
St. Michael Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Свято-Михайлівська Українська Православна Церква) is not in Tampa itself. We are in Pinellas Park, about 20 miles west of downtown Tampa across Old Tampa Bay, and most drives from the city take 25 to 35 minutes. If you are looking for a Divine Liturgy prayed in Ukrainian and English together, for the Ukrainian Orthodox tradition, or for a first look at the Orthodox faith, you are welcome here. This guide gives the route, drive times from across the city, the Orthodox parishes inside it, and what to expect on your first Sunday.
Is there a Ukrainian Orthodox church in Tampa?
Not inside the city. The two nearest parishes of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA are St. Michael, about 20 miles west in Pinellas Park, and our sister parish, Holy Protection of the Mother of God, in Dover, east of Tampa. Both belong to the same Church under the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and both pray in Ukrainian and English. If you live on the east side of Hillsborough County, Holy Protection is likely the shorter drive, and we would be glad for you to visit there.
Directions from Tampa
From downtown, Hyde Park, Westshore, Ybor City, Seminole Heights and the north of the city:
- Take I-275 South toward St. Petersburg and cross the Howard Frankland Bridge. Stay in the general lanes, which are free.
- Take exit 28 for SR 694 West, Pinellas Park. The ramp joins Gandy Boulevard heading west.
- Stay on SR 694 for about 3 miles. Along the way Gandy Boulevard becomes Park Boulevard.
- Turn right onto 60th Street. The church is a little over a mile ahead, at 9201 60th St.
From New Tampa, I-75 South and then I-4 West bring you onto I-275 South near downtown; from there, follow the same steps.
From South Tampa, Gandy Boulevard is the simplest free route. Take it west across the Gandy Bridge and stay on it past I-275 until it becomes Park Boulevard. Turn right onto 60th Street.
Open directions in Google Maps to plan the drive from your own address.
Drive times from Tampa neighborhoods
These are estimates without traffic, on the free routes above. Allow extra time for your first visit.
- Westshore: about 17 miles, 25 minutes
- South Tampa (Palma Ceia), by the Gandy Bridge: about 18 miles, 30 minutes
- Hyde Park: about 20 miles, 30 minutes
- Downtown: about 21 miles, 30 minutes
- Ybor City: about 22 miles, 35 minutes
- Seminole Heights: about 23 miles, 35 minutes
- USF and the University area: about 30 miles, 45 minutes
- New Tampa: about 39 miles, 55 minutes
Orthodox parishes in Tampa
If you would rather pray closer to home, these are the Orthodox parishes in the city, along with the Ukrainian Orthodox parish to its east. We are glad whenever someone finds a spiritual home in any of them.
- St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, Tampa. Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
- St. Philip the Apostle Orthodox Church, Tampa. Orthodox Church in America (OCA).
- St. George Coptic Orthodox Church, Tampa. Coptic Orthodox Church (Oriental Orthodox).
- Holy Protection of the Mother of God Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Dover. Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, our sister parish.
Choosing among them is usually less about miles than about the language you want to pray in and the tradition you hope to hand on to your children.
What you will find at St. Michael
Ukrainian and English in one Liturgy. Every Sunday the Divine Liturgy moves between the two languages, so relatives who speak only one of them can pray side by side.
The Ukrainian Orthodox tradition. Ukrainian hymns, feasts and customs, kept on the New Calendar (Revised Julian).
Time for your questions. If you are new to Orthodox Christianity, Fr. Stephen Siniari, our Parish Priest, is glad to talk with you after the Liturgy or by phone. Becoming Orthodox is a good place to start reading.
Sacraments for Tampa families
Baptism, weddings, funerals and memorial prayers can be served in English, Ukrainian or both, whichever lets your whole family pray. Each has its own page: baptism and Chrismation, the Orthodox wedding, funerals and memorial services. For a wedding, please call Fr. Stephen at least six months ahead; for a baptism, funeral or memorial, call as soon as you are able.
Plan your first visit
Sunday: Hours and Confession at 9:30 AM, Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM, then coffee and fellowship.
Address: 9201 60th St, Pinellas Park, FL 33782
Phone: 727-777-4450 (Fr. Stephen Siniari, Parish Priest)
Aim to arrive by 9:45 on your first Sunday; from downtown, that means leaving by about 9:10. The first visit guide explains what to wear, where to stand and what happens during the Liturgy. We hope to see you soon.
Questions from Tampa visitors
How far is St. Michael from Tampa?
About 20 miles by road from downtown Tampa, on the Pinellas side of Old Tampa Bay. Without traffic, plan on roughly 25 minutes from Westshore, 30 from downtown or South Tampa, and closer to an hour from New Tampa.
Are there tolls?
You do not have to pay any. The general lanes of I-275 are free, and so are the Howard Frankland and Gandy bridges. The I-275 Express lanes, the Gateway Expressway (SR 690) and the Selmon Expressway all charge tolls; they can save a few minutes, but the routes on this page do not use them.
Is the Divine Liturgy in English?
Yes, together with Ukrainian, every Sunday. The Epistle and Gospel are read in English (sometimes in Ukrainian as well), and Fr. Stephen gives the homily in English. Books with the English and Ukrainian texts side by side are available at the entrance.
What happens on a first visit?
Aim to arrive by about 9:45 so you can settle in before the Divine Liturgy begins at 10:00 AM. Stand or sit as you are able and follow along; no one expects you to know what to do. Holy Communion is reserved for Orthodox Christians, but at the end everyone may come forward for blessed bread (antidoron), and everyone is invited to coffee and fellowship afterward. Our first visit guide walks through the whole morning.
Other Tampa Bay cities we serve
If you live elsewhere in the Bay area, we also have driving guides and what-to-expect notes for:
Inner Pinellas County: Pinellas Park · Largo · Seminole · Dunedin · Palm Harbor
Hillsborough County: Brandon · Riverview
Pasco County: Wesley Chapel · Land O' Lakes · New Port Richey