Orthodox Church Serving Wesley Chapel, FL
Wesley Chapel is one of the fastest-growing suburbs in the Tampa Bay area, with a population of about 68,000 and continuing rapid development around Wiregrass Mall, Saddlebrook resort, and the I-75 corridor. The community attracts families from across the country.
Wesley Chapel has no Orthodox parish within its boundaries. The closest Ukrainian Orthodox option is our sister parish Holy Protection in Dover (about 25 miles south by road), and St. Michael Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Pinellas Park is about 40 miles southwest by road. The Tampa-area parishes, such as St. Philip (OCA) and St. John (Greek), are other options closer to home.
Drive Time and Route from Wesley Chapel
From The Shops at Wiregrass on SR 56, the drive to St. Michael is about 41 miles and takes just under an hour without traffic. This route has no tolls:
- Take SR 56 west to I-75 South.
- Where the interstates divide, keep right onto I-275 South toward Tampa and St. Petersburg, and follow it through Tampa.
- 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.
The I-275 Express lanes and the Gateway Expressway are tolled and save only a minute or two from Wesley Chapel; the route above does not use them. Free parking at the parish.
If you live on the Land O’ Lakes side of Wesley Chapel, see our Land O’ Lakes guide for the Dale Mabry Highway route.
Open directions in Google Maps to plan the drive from your own address.
Sister Parish Closer to Home: Holy Protection UOC, Dover
For most Wesley Chapel families, Holy Protection of the Mother of God Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Dover is the closer Ukrainian Orthodox option. About 25 miles from Wesley Chapel by road, Holy Protection belongs to the same UOC of the USA jurisdiction we do. The drive from The Shops at Wiregrass is about 35 minutes without traffic, by I-75 South and I-4 East.
If you are inquiring about Ukrainian Orthodox tradition and live in Wesley Chapel, we recommend you visit both Holy Protection and St. Michael, see which fits your family, and choose accordingly. Holy Protection is smaller and quieter; St. Michael is larger with more after-Liturgy fellowship and a broader range of parish activities. Both are part of the same family of churches.
Why Some Wesley Chapel Families Come to St. Michael
Despite the longer drive, several Wesley Chapel families attend St. Michael. Common reasons:
Existing family ties. If you grew up at St. Michael, or have parents and siblings who are members, the connection matters more than the distance.
Bilingual liturgical balance. Both UOC parishes celebrate bilingually, but the proportion of English to Ukrainian and the choir style vary. Some families find one fits better than the other. Visit both, see what feels right.
Community size and ministries. The larger congregation at St. Michael supports a wider range of parish activities, ministries, and after-Liturgy fellowship. Some Wesley Chapel families value that breadth.
Sacramental scheduling. When weddings, baptisms, or feast-day liturgies need a particular date, sometimes one parish has availability when the other does not.
For Ukrainian Families in Wesley Chapel
Both Holy Protection and St. Michael welcome Ukrainian families in Wesley Chapel, whether long settled or newly arrived. Our help for Ukrainian newcomers guide covers practical resources for those arriving in the Tampa Bay area, and the Tampa Bay Ukrainian community directory connects you to the broader regional network of organizations, restaurants, and cultural events.
Other Orthodox Options for Wesley Chapel
Beyond the two UOC parishes:
- St. Philip the Apostle Orthodox Church, Tampa (OCA). About 16 miles southwest by road. English-language services, explicitly convert-oriented.
- St. George Coptic Orthodox Church, Tampa. About 17 miles southwest by road.
- St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, Tampa. About 24 miles south by road. Greek Orthodox tradition.
- Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Clearwater. About 35 miles southwest.
If your tradition is Greek Orthodox, OCA, or another non-Ukrainian Orthodox tradition, the Tampa parishes are closer to Wesley Chapel and serve their respective traditions well.
Sacraments for Wesley Chapel Families
For Wesley Chapel families who choose St. Michael as their parish home, we celebrate:
- Baptism and Chrismation, in English, Ukrainian, or bilingually
- Orthodox weddings with the full crowning rite
- Memorial services and funerals, including the panakhyda and the full burial rite
Contact Fr. Stephen as early as possible to discuss timing, preparation, and any practical questions. There is no fee. Donations are welcome and support the parish.
Plan Your First Visit
Sunday Divine Liturgy: 10:00 AM. Hours and confessions: 9:30 AM. Fellowship in the parish hall after.
Address: 9201 60th St, Pinellas Park, FL 33782.
Phone: 727-777-4450. Parish Priest: Fr. Stephen Siniari.
Plan for just under an hour from Wesley Chapel without traffic. Or consider our sister parish Holy Protection in Dover, which is about 35 minutes away. Either way, the Ukrainian Orthodox community of Tampa Bay is here for you.
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: Tampa · Brandon · Riverview
Pasco County: Land O' Lakes · New Port Richey