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Orthodox Church Serving Land O' Lakes, FL

Orthodox Church Serving Land O’ Lakes, FL

Land O’ Lakes is a residential community in southwestern Pasco County, with a population of about 35,000 and continuing growth into Connerton and other newer developments. If you live in Land O’ Lakes and are looking for an Orthodox church, you have a few options to consider, including a small Antiochian Orthodox mission within Land O’ Lakes itself, our sister Ukrainian Orthodox parish Holy Protection in Dover, and our parish, St. Michael, in Pinellas Park.

We want to be straightforward: we are not the closest Orthodox option for Land O’ Lakes residents, and we will not pretend otherwise. We serve Land O’ Lakes families who specifically want the Ukrainian Orthodox tradition, the bilingual liturgical experience, or who have personal connections to St. Michael.

Drive Time and Route from Land O’ Lakes

From central Land O’ Lakes (near US 41 and SR 54), the drive to St. Michael is about 40 to 50 minutes depending on traffic. The most direct route:

  • Take US 41 south or SR 54 west to Veterans Expressway south
  • Continue on Veterans Expressway south to I-275 south
  • Cross the Howard Frankland Bridge
  • Exit at Park Boulevard (exit 31) and head east
  • Turn north on 49th Street
  • Turn east on 102nd Avenue
  • Arrive at 9201 60th St

Veterans Expressway is a toll road. The cost is modest, but factor it in.

Sunday morning traffic is generally light. Free parking on-site at the parish.

Closer Orthodox Options for Land O’ Lakes

St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Mission, Land O’ Lakes. This is the only Orthodox parish within Land O’ Lakes itself. Mission status, smaller community, Antiochian Orthodox tradition. If you are looking for the closest Sunday Divine Liturgy in any Orthodox tradition, this is it.

Holy Protection Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Dover. Our sister parish, about 25 miles southeast of Land O’ Lakes via I-75. UOC of the USA jurisdiction, same as St. Michael. Bilingual English and Ukrainian. Smaller parish than St. Michael, with its own quiet character. For Land O’ Lakes Ukrainian Orthodox families, this is generally the closer of the two UOC options.

St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, Tampa. About 22 miles south. Greek Orthodox, large established parish.

St. Philip the Apostle Orthodox Church, Tampa (OCA). About 22 miles south. English-language services, convert-friendly.

When Land O’ Lakes Families Choose St. Michael

Despite the longer drive, several Land O’ Lakes families attend St. Michael. The reasons we hear:

Specific draw to Ukrainian Orthodox tradition combined with parish size. Holy Protection and St. Michael are both UOC of the USA, but St. Michael is the larger of the two. For families that want a more substantial Sunday community while still attending a Ukrainian Orthodox parish, the additional distance is worth it.

Liturgical balance. Both bilingual UOC parishes mix English and Ukrainian, but the proportions and the choir traditions differ. Some families find one fits more comfortably than the other.

Family connections to St. Michael. Multi-generation families, godparent relationships, marriage connections, friendships from before a move to Land O’ Lakes. The parish home you grow into is often the parish home you stay with.

Specific sacramental needs. Sometimes a wedding date, a baptism schedule, or a funeral arrangement works at one parish but not another.

Why You Might Choose St. Elias Mission Instead

We will say this plainly: if you are simply looking for the closest Orthodox parish from your Land O’ Lakes home and any Orthodox tradition is acceptable, St. Elias Antiochian Mission is geographically closest and may be the right fit. Visit them, see what their community is like, see if their tradition resonates with you. Mission parishes have a particular character (smaller, more intimate, dependent on visiting clergy or a single priest), which suits some families and not others.

Sister Parish Closer to Home: Holy Protection, Dover

For Land O’ Lakes Ukrainian Orthodox families specifically, Holy Protection in Dover is generally the closer choice and is our sister parish in the same UOC of the USA jurisdiction. Both serve the same Ukrainian Orthodox tradition. Holy Protection is a smaller and quieter community than St. Michael, suited to families who value that. Visit both, see which fits.

Sacraments for Land O’ Lakes Families at St. Michael

If you do choose St. Michael despite the drive, we celebrate:

All sacraments can be in English, Ukrainian, or bilingually. Contact Fr. Stephen well in advance.

Ukrainian Community in Land O’ Lakes

Land O’ Lakes has a small but real Ukrainian-American community, including families who have arrived since 2022 through Uniting for Ukraine. Both Holy Protection and St. Michael serve these families spiritually, and our Tampa Bay Ukrainian community directory connects you to broader regional resources, organizations, and cultural networks.

Plan Your First Visit

Sunday Divine Liturgy: 10:00 AM. Hours and confessions: 9:30 AM.

Address: 9201 60th St, Pinellas Park, FL 33782.

Phone: 727-777-4450. Pastor: Fr. Stephen Siniari.

If you decide St. Michael is your parish home, plan for a 45 minute Sunday morning drive from Land O’ Lakes. Or consider Holy Protection in Dover, our sister parish in the same tradition, for a shorter trip. We hope to see you at one of our services soon, whichever is the right fit for your family.