1924
Clearwater is enjoying phenomenal growth and the population of Florida continues to grow four times faster than every other state all 47 of them. Meanwhile, in Sweden, a nineteen-year-old actress who would later be known as Greta Garbo has just made her debut in a film called The Atonement of Gosta Berling. In Germany, Adolf Hitler, a relative unknown, has been sentenced to five years in prison for treason after a failed attempt to overthrow the German government. And the United States is transitioning from the era of President Warren Harding, who died in office, to President Calvin Coolidge. Its 1924, the year that will see the construction of St. Cecelia, the first Catholic church in the city once called Clear Water Harbor.
Clearwater is part of the Diocese of St. Augustine, the only diocese in Florida, and a mission of the Jesuits in Tampa. The Jesuits were established in Tampa in the 1880s, but an initial inquiry made by a Jesuit priest in 1890 regarding the existence of any Catholics in Clear Water Harbor was answered in the negative. Eventually the Jesuits began to minister to the faithful in the area and, because of the lack of a church building, to celebrate Mass in private homes. Those who prefer a church drive to Sacred Heart in Tampa, the only Catholic church in the area.
Rev. Francis BarryReverend Francis J. Barry, formerly chancellor of the Archdiocese of Chicago, moved to Clearwater in 1923 for health reasons. Robert S. Brown, a wealthy Detroit industrialist, became a winter resident about the same time. Through the vision of one and the generous financial support of the other, St. Cecelia Church is about to become a reality.
The intersection of Druid Road and Myrtle Avenue is a dirt road surrounded by marshland before the ground is cleared to begin construction. The lot for the church, purchased for $2,500, is 135 x 165. In recognition of the great generosity of Robert Brown, the patron saint chosen for the church is St. Cecilia, but spelled Cecelia, the name of his daughter (1923–2004). With a seating capacity of 500, more than ten times the size of the existing congregation, the church is dedicated when the first Mass is celebrated at midnight, Christmas, 1924.
1929
Rev. Thomas ColreavyIn 1929, the church gains official status as a parish when Reverend Thomas A. Colreavy is appointed pastor. The parish boundaries extend north to Tarpon Springs, south to Bay Pines in St. Petersburg, and from the Gulf of Mexico east to Tampa. The parish, under the guidance of Father Colreavy, flourishes during the 1930s and 40s, despite the Great Depression and slowed growth throughout the state.
As the size of the congregation of St. Cecelia continues to grow, Father Colreavy purchases numerous lots around the parish. Although the financial circumstances of parishioners are desperate, with Sunday collections averaging just $15 to $16, tax sales make property in the area a bargain. Father Colreavy begins an aggressive building campaign with the construction of a rectory, destined to become the original parish school, next to the church.
As the need for an elementary school becomes apparent, Father Colreavy obtains the assistance of the Sisters of the Holy Names to teach, and renovates the rectory building into a school. The upper floor is converted into a convent for the sisters; the lower floors serve as the school classrooms. Father Colreavy and his assistant pastor move to a small house near the church.
Dedication of the new St. Cecelia School building by Fr. Colreavy and Bishop Hurley1948
The school opens in 1948 with 60 students in grades 1 through 6. By 1951 enrollment triples and temporary structures are erected on the church property to accommodate the now 180 students in attendance. Father Colreavy recognizes the need to enlarge the school and purchases 15 acres on the corner of Hillcrest Avenue and Court Street for $18,000. The new school building is constructed on this site in 1951.
St. Cecelia School is expanded from six grades to eight, and then, prior to the completion of a new area high school, to ten. The building attracts considerable attention for its advanced design, specially adapted to the Florida climate. With an eye toward future growth, the architects design a structure that can be expanded without disturbing the original building.
1953
In 1953, Father Colreavy purchases a large residence on Magnolia Drive, west of the church. This home becomes the new convent of the Sisters of the Holy Names. During this time the original rectory building, which became the school and convent, is converted back to the parish rectory. The basement serves as the parish hall.
1955
The west wing of the church
was completed in 1955;
the portico was added later.The school and rectory are not the only building projects in the works for this burgeoning parish family. As the new school building is completed and dedicated, construction begins to enlarge the church, which can no longer accommodate its congregation. A new wing, facing west, is added, increasing the seating capacity of the church to 1,200. The original building, now called the north wing, is remodeled to conform to the style of the addition. In addition to the new wing, the church acquires a new sanctuary, sacristy and choir loft. Construction is completed in 1955.
1959
As the addition to the church is finished, the need to expand the school becomes apparent. In 1959, with enrollment near 500 students, a new wing is added, increasing the number of classrooms from eight to eighteen. Enrollment continues to grow so rapidly that the school is almost immediately at capacity.
1960
In 1960, Father Colreavy, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Church and this parish community, is elevated to Monsignor Colreavy by Pope John XXIII. His ministry to St. Cecelia Parish is now more than thirty years.
Msgr. Colreavy and parochial vicars
Fr. O'Flaherty and the newly
ordained Fr. Aiden Foynes,
with the Knights of Columbus1961
1961 sees the arrival of a newly ordained priest from Ireland, Father Aiden Foynes. While this is his first assignment after ordination, Father Foynes, after serving in many other parishes in the diocese, will return to St. Cecelia more than thirty years later as the pastor of the parish.
As the early 1960s progress, St. Cecelia continues to flourish. The basement of the rectory is converted from a parish hall into a church office. The school cafetorium, a combined cafeteria and auditorium, is completed in 1963 and becomes the site for parish social activities. A library is added to the school in 1964.
1968
Msgr. Thomas Larkin, second pastor of
St. Cecelia and
second bishop of the
St. Petersburg DioceseThe arrival of Monsignor W. Thomas Larkin in December, 1967 signals the imminent retirement of the only pastor St. Cecelia Church has ever known. Monsignor Colreavy, in failing health, retires in January of 1968. His retirement is brief, however, as he dies on March 3, at the age of 67. His years of service to the parish number just short of 40, but his contribution to the family of St. Cecelia is beyond measure. He leaves behind a vibrant, growing church and school, and a legacy of service to God and the community that will continue long beyond his lifetime.
Within just months of his arrival, Monsignor Larkin guides the parish through the death of its beloved Pastor Emeritus and the birth of a new diocese. As St. Cecelia welcomes a new pastor, the state of Florida welcomes a new bishop to shepherd the newly established Diocese of St. Petersburg. Bishop Charles B. McLaughlin is appointed first bishop of the diocese that encompasses 11 west central Florida counties, from Crystal River south to Ft. Myers. In addition to his pastorate at St. Cecelia, Monsignor Larkin is appointed Vicar General and Officialis of the new diocese.
1971
St. Cecelia Convent, home to the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and MaryThe growth within the parish continues unabated into the 1970s. In October, 1971, the brand new St. Cecelia convent, adjacent to the school, is dedicated in a ceremony with Bishop McLaughlin presiding. After nearly 30 years of serving the parish family of St. Cecelia, the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary have a home to call their own. Much of the design and construction work of the convent was donated by parishioners as an affirmation of the importance of the Sisters to the parish family.
1972
Multi-functional Colreavy HallAt this time both social functions and religious education classes for the parish are held at the school, but the need for a multi-purpose center for the parish becomes increasingly urgent as the size of the congregation continues to grow. Colreavy Hall, built in 1972, is the manifestation of the dream to celebrate the spectrum of parish life within the boundaries of the church grounds. The primary source of funding for Colreavy Hall is the Druid Corporation, which Monsignor Colreavy himself formed and endowed before his death.
The new parish hall provides extensive gathering space, which can be divided to serve multiple functions simultaneously. A large kitchen, office space and covered outdoor porch complete the latest addition to the parish building program.
Fr. Michael Devine1978
After ten years as the first Bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Bishop Charles B. McLaughlin dies in 1978. Monsignor Larkin is appointed Bishop Larkin and assumes the reins of the diocese as Father Michael Devine becomes the third pastor of St. Cecelia Church.
1982
Fr. John CippelIn 1982, Father Devine is transferred to St. John Vianney Parish on St. Pete Beach and Father John Cippel is appointed pastor of St. Cecelia Church. Like his predecessors, Father Cippel understands the dynamic nature of this vibrant, growing parish and pursues the vision he shares with those who came before.
Father Cippel believes strongly that a healthy parish atmosphere provides a balance between worship, service, outreach and fellowship. In this vein, he introduces an active parish agenda that includes a monthly Mass and luncheon for shut-ins, an annual parish picnic for parishioners and many adult education opportunities. And, as the parish continues to grow and embrace the changes made by its energetic pastor, it becomes apparent once again that the needs of the parish exceed the existing facilities.
