Meet the Clergy

Father Jacob Mlakar, a native of Hudson, Ohio, moved with his family to Charlotte, North Carolina, during his high school years. In 2014, he earned a B.A. in History and Religious Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he discerned his calling to the priesthood.  

Answering the call, Father Jacob entered seminary for the Diocese of Charlotte, beginning with two years of philosophy studies at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. He then continued his formation at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Italy. While in Rome, he was ordained a deacon in St. Peter's Basilica on October 3, 2019. He was later ordained to the priesthood on July 24, 2020, at St. Mark Catholic Church in Huntersville, North Carolina.  
Father Jacob began his ministry as a parochial vicar at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Charlotte. He then served for two years as parochial vicar at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Kernersville while also serving as assistant chaplain at Bishop McGuinness High School. In 2024, he completed a Licentiate in Sacred Theology with a specialization in spiritual theology at the University of St. Thomas (the Angelicum) in Rome.  

In July of 2024, Father Jacob Mlakar was appointed pastor of Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Jefferson and Saint Frances of Rome Catholic Mission in Sparta. Passionate about leading souls to Christ, he is committed to sharing the love of Jesus through the Holy Eucharist and the other sacraments.