Church of the Little Flower (Coral Gables, Florida)
Encyclopedia
The Church of the Little Flower is a Catholic Church located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Miami
at 1270 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables, Florida
. Established in 1926, it is one of the oldest in the metropolitan Miami area and is considered an historic landmark. The Church property contains a K-8 school and a reception hall that is frequently used for lectures, concerts and wedding receptions. Because of its beauty, its very long nave (main aisle) and professional choir, the Church is a popular site for weddings. It is located less than 0.5 miles (0.8km) from the famous Biltmore Hotel
.
History of The Little Flower Church
The church was established in 1926 at the request of a small group of Catholics in the community of Coral Gables
then in the Diocese of St. Augustine. The Most Reverend Patrick J. Barry, Bishop of St. Augustine
, announced the new parish was to be named in honor of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, also known as "The Little Flower". Masses were celebrated in the convent chapel of St. Joseph's Academy, a boarding school that the Sisters of St. Joseph
had built and opened in 1925 at 2701 Indian Mound Trail until the temporary church was built in 1928. In 1932, St. Joseph's Academy, the parochial school associated with the parish church, was renamed to St. Theresa School
.
The first structure built was the parish center and auditorium, which had a seating capacity of 800. It was formally dedicated in January 1928 by Bishop Patrick J. Barry. Rev. Msgr. Thomas P. Comber was the first pastor. This building functioned as the church until the present church was built in 1951 and dedicated by Archbishop Joseph P. Hurley of St. Augustine. This church has a seating of 900. Rev. Michael W. Davis is the current pastor.
A major renovation was made in 1987 to the 10000 square feet (929 m²) church. It included a new air conditioner, doors, pews, marble floor, and lighting fixtures. The old church building was renamed Comber Hall in memory of Msgr. Thomas P. Comber. The priests moved into a new rectory, which was located directly across the street from the old rectory.
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Miami
The Archdiocese of Miami is a particular church of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States of America. Its ecclesiastic territory includes Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe counties in the U.S. state of Florida. The archdiocese is the metropolitan see for the Ecclesiastical Province of Miami,...
at 1270 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables, Florida
Coral Gables, Florida
Coral Gables is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, southwest of Downtown Miami, in the United States. The city is home to the University of Miami....
. Established in 1926, it is one of the oldest in the metropolitan Miami area and is considered an historic landmark. The Church property contains a K-8 school and a reception hall that is frequently used for lectures, concerts and wedding receptions. Because of its beauty, its very long nave (main aisle) and professional choir, the Church is a popular site for weddings. It is located less than 0.5 miles (0.8km) from the famous Biltmore Hotel
Coral Gables Biltmore Hotel
The Coral Gables Biltmore Hotel is a luxury hotel in Coral Gables, Florida, United States. It was designed by Schultze and Weaver and was built in 1926 by John McEntee Bowman and George Merrick as part of the Biltmore hotel chain....
.
History of The Little Flower Church
The church was established in 1926 at the request of a small group of Catholics in the community of Coral Gables
Coral Gables, Florida
Coral Gables is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, southwest of Downtown Miami, in the United States. The city is home to the University of Miami....
then in the Diocese of St. Augustine. The Most Reverend Patrick J. Barry, Bishop of St. Augustine
St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine is a city in the northeast section of Florida and the county seat of St. Johns County, Florida, United States. Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer and admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, it is the oldest continuously occupied European-established city and port in the continental United...
, announced the new parish was to be named in honor of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, also known as "The Little Flower". Masses were celebrated in the convent chapel of St. Joseph's Academy, a boarding school that the Sisters of St. Joseph
Sisters of St. Joseph
The title Sisters of St. Joseph applies to several Roman Catholic religious congregations of women. The largest and oldest of these was founded in Le Puy-en-Velay, France...
had built and opened in 1925 at 2701 Indian Mound Trail until the temporary church was built in 1928. In 1932, St. Joseph's Academy, the parochial school associated with the parish church, was renamed to St. Theresa School
St. Theresa School
St. Theresa School is a private Catholic school located at 2701 Indian Mound Trail, Coral Gables, Florida. It is the parish school for the Church of the Little Flower.-History:...
.
The first structure built was the parish center and auditorium, which had a seating capacity of 800. It was formally dedicated in January 1928 by Bishop Patrick J. Barry. Rev. Msgr. Thomas P. Comber was the first pastor. This building functioned as the church until the present church was built in 1951 and dedicated by Archbishop Joseph P. Hurley of St. Augustine. This church has a seating of 900. Rev. Michael W. Davis is the current pastor.
A major renovation was made in 1987 to the 10000 square feet (929 m²) church. It included a new air conditioner, doors, pews, marble floor, and lighting fixtures. The old church building was renamed Comber Hall in memory of Msgr. Thomas P. Comber. The priests moved into a new rectory, which was located directly across the street from the old rectory.
Church of the Little Flower Pastors
- Rev. Msgr. Thomas P. Comber (1926-1960)
- Rev. Msgr. Peter J. Reilly (1960-1978)
- Rev. Msgr. William F. McKeever (1978-1982)
- Rev. Msgr. John W. Glorie (1982-1989)
- Rev. Kenneth D. Whittaker (1989-1992)
- Rev. Msgr. Xavier Morrás (1992-2002)
- Rev. Arthur Dennison (2002-2011)
- Rev. Michael W. Davis (2011-Present)