St. Johns County commissioners voted 5-0 on Tuesday, Sept. 1, to approve a campus expansion at Our Lady Star of the Sea in Ponte Vedra Beach.

New Building Will Replace Aging Youth and Education Centers

The parish plans to demolish its aging youth center and educational center at 545 A1A N. and replace them with a single building on the south end of the 11.98-acre property. The new facility will house early learning classrooms, faith formation space, administrative offices and a daily chapel.

Approval Raises Campus's Maximum Building Entitlement

The approval increases the campus's maximum development entitlement from 62,779 to 78,800 square feet, the Jax Daily Record reported. Our Lady Star of the Sea serves more than 2,900 families and operates Palmer Catholic Academy, a pre-K through eighth-grade school on the same campus.

Design Cleared Two Local Review Boards First

The project cleared two local review boards before reaching the commission. The Ponte Vedra Architectural Review Committee approved the design 3-0 on July 22. The Ponte Vedra Zoning and Adjustment Board unanimously recommended approval on Aug. 3.

Extra Square Footage Reserved for Future Upgrades

The added square footage also leaves room for future expansion or replacement of the sanctuary, parish hall and child-care center.

The commission vote is the final approval needed. The church has said it hopes to begin construction in September 2026.