Parish History Past & Present

THE PRESENT

Holy Name of Jesus has issued the most recent annual report which may be viewed with Adobe Reader by clicking here.  If you do not have Adobe Reader click above on ABOUT US and then Forms to download the reader.

THE PAST

Holy Name of Jesus had a humble beginning as a mission parish of the Ascension Catholic Church in Eau Gallie. On Christmas Eve, 1959, the first Mass was celebrated by Reverend Father Martin B. Power, founding Pastor of Ascension as well as the mission parish in Canova Beach. Through the cooperation of land developer Martin McGuire, the Christmas Eve Mass was celebrated in an unfinished house in Indian Harbour Beach.

The Most Reverend Joseph P. Hurley, Archbishop of St. Augustine, affectionately known as “Ten Acres Joe” by his priests for his farsighted policy of buying ten acres all over Florida for future parish sites, had purchased ten acres in 1965, just south of the Eau Gallie Causeway. In a letter dated January 1961, Father Power informed the Archbishop that the property was land-locked with no right of way on A1A so an additional 3.7 acre adjoining property was purchased in June, 1961, with a 290’ frontage on Highway A1A.

Ground was broken for a provisional church on September 9, 1962. The church had a seating capacity of 480 and included a 2,000-sq. ft. hall. The Most Reverend Joseph P. Hurley, dedicated the Church and hall in March 1963. There were about 250 families in the church when the dedication took place. Sufficient land had been purchased for the expansion of the rapidly growing mission, which was to include a school and convent.

The children of Holy Name of Jesus parish attended Ascension School, which opened in September 1961, staffed by the Irish Sisters of Mercy, from Ardee, Ireland. Because of the population growth Father Power recognized the immediate need of a school at Holy Name. In march, 1964, the school had a promising beginning with approximately 50 students attending classes in the Church Hall.

By September 1964, the new school was completed and housed the first four grades that school year. Each year an additional grade was added through the eighth grade. In 1965 portable buildings were added and in 1968 a kindergarten class was opened.

From 1964-1974 Sister Monica and Sister Rosari, Sisters of Mercy, Ardee, Ireland, served as principals. They were succeeded by Sister Jane,OP (1974-76); Sister Janet,OP and Sister Ruth, joint principals (1976-77); Sister Shirley Hinks, (1977-1980); Sister Rosemary Conlon OP (1980-840) Sister Kathleen Gelatko LSF (1984-85);Mrs. Joyce Falk (1985-86) Mr Duane Schafer (1986-89) Mr Bruce Tepfer (1985-86) Mrs Lois Scrivener (1992-2006) Sister Teresa Bruno (2006-current principal).

Technically, Holy Name remained a mission of Ascension parish until May 1968 when Monsignor Power was appointed pastor of Holy Name by The Most Reverend William D. Borders, Orlando Diocese first Bishop. A year later Monsignor Power was transferred to Lakeland where he died suddenly on March 22, 1972. Father Arthur Dunnigan was named the second pastor of Holy Name in June 1969. He was instrumental in purchasing valuable land with 367’ of frontage on A1A and adjacent to the existing church property. This 4.3-acre property purchased in 1970 included the Greystone Apartments, which were converted to a priest residence while the garage was converted into parish offices. Holy Name of Jesus now had approximately 18 acres of prime property.

In February 1974, Father Arthur Dunnigan took a leave of absence, due to illness. Father Patrick Quinn became the third pastor of Holy Name from 1974-76. Father Peter J. Henry, who was then serving in the capacity of Associate Pastor, was appointed the fourth pastor in September 1976.

Due to the rapid growth of the Holy Name Parish the provisional Church built in 1963 became overcrowd so Father Henry initiated a major fund drive in 1978 and raised a million dollars to build the permanent church with a seating capacity of approximately 850 people. The first Mass was celebrated on April 25, 1980 in the new Church. The Most Reverend Thomas Grady, Bishop of Orlando, dedicated the church on October 26, 1980.

In November, 1986, Father Henry was appointed pastor to the English speaking community of Our Savior Church in The Hague, Holland. Father David P. Page former Rector of St. James Cathedral, Orlando, became the fifth pastor of Holy Name of Jesus, January, 1987.

Changes continued to develop with the parish becoming computerized in 1988. The convent was renovated in “88 and converted into the Administration Center to house much needed offices for the pastoral and Lay Staff Members. During 1987-88 a nationally known consultant on church process facilitated a parish wide consensus process called Vision 2000 in which parishioners decided on priorities, both in regard to ministry and facilities. This in turn, in 1989, led to the restructuring of the parish ministries into seven commissions which implemented the goals of the newly formed Pastoral Council.

Also as a result of Vision 2000 consensus process, a successful capital fund drive was conducted in the fall of ’88 to build classrooms, school office, pavilion, community center, provide a new church organ, improved parking, and a traffic light, as well as sewer for the entire parish plant.

By 1989 the parish membership had doubled from 1100 to 2200 registered families with an estimated 500 to 1000 additional families not registered. Continuing into the 90’s new ministries were developed and many new building were constructed.

The HNJ School Board’s five-year plan, which included five new classrooms, was completed in time for the 1998-99 school year. The classroom building was constructed so that the rooms could be used by parish groups for evening meetings. At present time there are 360 students enrolled in pre-school - grade 8.

A Rectory for the priests and addition classrooms were completed in 1995 thus providing space, utilizing the old rectory, for the expansion of the St. Vincent de Paul Society Assistance Center, renovation of the Outreach Thrift Store, a Christian Marriage and Family Counseling Center, staffed by professional counselors.

The continued growth in the parish once again presented the need for a larger worship space. On August 30-31, 1997 , after much fund raising and many parish-style town meetings. Father Page described HNJ’s move to the parish hall for weekend Masses during renovation and expansion of the church as “Back to our Roots.”

With construction completed of our newly renovated and expanded worship space, chapels and covered gathering space. The first Mass was celebrated by Father David P. Page, Pastor, August 23, 1998. The Most Reverend Norbert M Dorsey, Bishop of Orlando, dedicated our church October 1998 with a seating capacity of 1250.

The purchase of 3+ acres for $660,000 added much needed land in the form of our south parcel.

In 2001, Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School was recognized as a US Department of Education Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. In 2003, the school was given a US Department of Education No Child Left Behind Award.

Unfortunately, 2004 brought Hurricanes Charlie and Frances. So in 2005 the Share the Vision Building Fund was begun.  In 2006, the school got 8 new modular Class Rooms.  In 2007, new soccer and track fields were created.  Also the new Thrift shop and Saint Vincent De Paul opened in 2007.  In November of 2007 the Athletic Center and multi-purpose rooms became available.  In May of 2008 the Parish Life Center and offices will open.

Under the guidance of the following five pastors:

Monsignor Martin B. Power 1968 -1969
Father Arthur Dunnigan 1969-1974
Father Patrick Quinn 1974-1976
Father Peter Henry 1976-1986
Father David P. Page 1987-present

Associate Pastors:

Father Thomas McGrane, 1965-67; Father Nicholas King, 1967-69; Father Robert Traupman, 1969-72; Father Patrick Murray, 1972-73; Father Peter Henry, 1973-76; Father Paul Rankin, 1975086; Father Michael, O’Neill, 1976-78; Father John Picciano, 1978-79; Father Fred Ruse, 1979-84; Father James Coyle, 1982; Father Raymond Larsen, 1984-87; Father Leo Hodges, 1986-89; Father Matthew Mello, 1987-90; Father David Drewlow, 1989-90; Father Frank Buck, 1990-91; Father Michael Collins, 1990-93; Father Steven Lambour 1991-97; Father David Scotchie, 1993-98; Father Robert Mc Donnell 1997-present; Father Tom Connery 1998-2004; Father Marek Maczynski 2004-2005; Father Joseph Bui 2004 –present; Father Anthony Welle 2007-present.