Original ohurch in downtown High Springs moved to new location East of downtown on U.S. Highway One.Now converted to the Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche.
This is our current Church. Located at 17155 N.W. US Highway 441 High Springs, Florida 32641
Parish Grounds : The Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, Memorial Garden (cemetary), Family Life Center, Main Church, Church Office, Activity Center (small groups).

It was April 9, 1969, when Bishop Paul F. Tanner affixed the Diocesan Seal to documents establishing the parish of St. Madeleine Sophie in High Springs. Catholicism in High Springs, however, was nurtured much earlier than the date of its parish establishment. In 1906 Fr. Patrick A. Bresnaha stayed in a bullet-hole riddled hotel known as the "Yellow Dog" and he said his first mass in our town in the home of Sarah and James Paul. Masses continued to be held in people's homes until 1925. In April 1925, James Paul deeded land in downtown High Springs for a church and the building we now call the "Adoration Chapel" was built. On May 24, 1925, the eve of the feast day of our patroness St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, the church building was blessed and placed under her patronage. St. Madeleine remained as a mission church of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Gainesville until 1968 when Fr. Richard Altenbaugh was appointed as the first resident pastor.
Fr. Michael Williams assumed his first assignment as pastor of St. Madeleine "Tri-County Parish" consisting of the missions of High Springs, Cross City, and Williston in 1971. He was followed by Fr. Paul Hogarty in 1973, Fr. Roland Julien in 1974, Fr. John Dux in 1977, Fr. Joseph Meehan in 1985, Fr. Wayne Price in 1993, Fr. Noel Cox, CSSp, in 1995, Fr. Edward Murphy in 2002, Fr. Sebastian K. George, CMI in 2007, and our current pastor, Fr. Marek Dzien. Other priests who served in the 2000's include Fr. Jim Cottrell as non-resident associate and Fr. Gerald Pincince as Interim Administrator. It was Fr. Julien who purchased the property that housed the ill-reputed Dragon Arts Drive-In with the intention of making it a family-oriented theatre. Fr. Dux arranged to have the parish moved to the new site in December 1979. The main building was constructed as a multi-purpose building in 1981 and it was blessed on May 6, 1984.
Fr. Meehan dealt with debt incurred from the building projects. Fr. Cox was instrumental at getting the mortgage paid off and moving the abandoned church building in Hawthorne to our property. It was the Education Building until 2007, afterwards it was used as a small thrift store, and in 2013 it was removed from the property to make space for the Memorial Garden and Cemetery. Fr. Murphy's term included the pastoral care of San Juan Mission, Branford and the purchase of the home and property which houses the rectory.
Under the leadership of Fr. George, the parish flourished. In 2007, the Diocese purchased the property with a house that now serves as the Activity Center. In 2008, the beautiful crucifix in front of the Church was dedicated in memory of Rt. Rev. Msgr. Achille D'Anca. In 2009, the Family Life Center was built and was dedicated on the Feast of All Saints. In January of 2011, on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, the former multi-purpose building was renovated and dedicated as a church. In November of 2013, the Memorial Garden and Cemetery were completed and opened. In 2015, at the request of Bishop Felipe J. Estévez, the Adoration Chapel was renovated and became the Santa Fe Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche. In 2016, the Marian Grotto was created, along with the Emmaus Walk and Outdoor Stations of the Cross. In 2017, the Memorial Garden expanded to include a memorial for US Patriots and a memorial for the Unborn which was dedicated in June of 2018 under Fr. Dzien.
Fr. Marek Dzien, arrived in December of 2017. He is originally from Poland and spent six years as a missionary in Ecuador. He arrived at the Diocese of St. Augustine in 2008 and pastored at St. Augustine Church in Gainesville, FL before arriving at St. Madeleine. The faithful of St. Madeleine continue to enjoy the beautiful campus and all the religious and social activities available. In 2024 Our Fr. Sebastian returned to our parish.
  • From October 18th,1975
Father Roland Marcel Julien, Beloved Priest and Advocate, Dies at 86
July 22, 1938 – December 26, 2024 Father Roland M. Julien, a beloved priest of the Diocese of St. Augustine, entered eternal life on Dec. 26, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. A man of deep faith, unwavering compassion and quiet humility, Father Julien’s nearly six decades of ministry left an indelible mark on the countless lives he touched. Born July 22, 1938, in Ogdensburg, N.Y., Father Julien was the son of Clarence M. Julien and Germaine Roy. He grew up with three sisters and moved with his family to Daytona Beach in 1948. After graduating from St. Paul Catholic School, he pursued his calling at St. Thomas Seminary in Conn. and St. Mary’s Seminary in Md. Archbishop Joseph P. Hurley ordained him to the priesthood for the Diocese of St. Augustine on April 25, 1965, at Mission Nombre de Dios in St. Augustine. Father Julien’s ministry included many roles and responsibilities throughout the 17-county region of the Diocese of St. Augustine and beyond when the diocese included all of Florida except west of the Apalachicola River in the Panhandle: • Early assignments as parochial vicar at St. Mary, Our Lady of Grace Parish in St. Petersburg and the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine.• Administrator and pastor of several parishes, including St. Ambrose Parish in Elkton, Our Lady of Victory Parish in Crestview and St. Madeleine Sophie Parish in High Springs.• Dean of the Gainesville Deanery from 1991 to 2008, where he provided leadership and pastoral support to area clergy.• Appointed to the Presbyteral Council, where he served from 1995 to 2006, offering advice and guidance to the bishop on diocesan matters.• Diocesan Director of Youth Ministry from 1968 to 1972, where he inspired and supported young Catholics in their faith journey. In 1980, Father Julien was named pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Gainesville, a role he held for 35 years until he retired from full-time ministry in 2015. Under his leadership, St. Patrick’sexperienced significant growth, including constructing a new church to replace the provisional church built in 1965, expanding its school facilities and establishing vital ministries. Beyond parish life, Father Julien championed the diocese’s outreach and evangelization efforts. He was instrumental in starting a Catholic radio station, WWLC 88.5 FM, to broadcast Catholic programming in the Cross City area. Although the station closed due to financial challenges, his vision for utilizing media to spread the Gospel remains a testament to his dedication.
Father Julien also served as president of St. Francis House in Gainesville, ensuring the shelter continued to provide food and temporary housing to those in need. He co-founded the Action Network, advocating for resources like expanded public transportation for vulnerable populations. Known for his humor, love of photography and late arrivals—often attributed to his habit of helping others—Father Julien’s impact extended to every corner of his community. Parishioners and colleagues alike admired his humility, tireless service and unwavering faith. Father Julien is predeceased by his parents, Clarence and Germaine Julien; his sister, Gloria Desrochers; and his nephew, Raymond T. Gant. He is survived by two sisters, Carmen Gant (Raymond) of Port Orange and Claire Lakner (James) of Sunnyvale, Calif.; four nieces, Janet Applegren (Gant) of Port Orange, Laura Hughes (Gant) of New Smyrna Beach, Aimee Moore (Desrochers) of Fairbanks, Alaska and Sharon Haga-Jacques (Gant) of New Smyrna Beach; and one nephew, Michael Gant of Lake Helen; nine grandnieces and nephews, 10 great-grandnieces and nephews and good friends and their families who assisted with his care for several years, Kathy Mladinich (Chris) and Maureen Sheehan-Carney and Colleen Carney, all of Gainesville. VisitationSunday, Jan. 5, from 4 to 7 p.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 500 NE 16th Ave., Gainesville.
Funeral MassThe Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, Jan. 6, at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick’s, with Bishop Erik T. Pohlmeier as the principal celebrant and Father Michael Williams as the homilist. For priests who are concelebrating, please bring an alb and stole.
A simple lunch is being provided for all priests attending the funeral Mass. Please RSVP to the Chancellor's Office if you will be attending. It is important that we have an accurate count of priests coming so food isn't wasted. Email chancellor@dosafl.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations go to St. Patrick Interparish School or St. Francis House in Gainesville in honor of Father Julien’s enduring legacy of faith, service and love. “Well done, good and faithful servant.” – Matthew 25:21