- Church of the Little Flower (Coral Gables, Florida)
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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.[1] 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 10,000-square-foot (930 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.
Contents
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)
External links
Coordinates: 25°44′39″N 80°16′55″W / 25.744169°N 80.281827°W
Gallery
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A view of the altar of Church of the Little Flower halfway down the very long nave, reputedly the longest in the Archdiocese of Miami.
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The main Church.
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A view of the confessionals and statue of Mary and Jesus just to the side of the main altar.
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Statue of Jesus and the stairs that lead up to the balcony inside the Church
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A statue of St. Therese who is also known as the Little Flower.
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Comber Hall
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A full view of Comber Hall with partial view of the main church building.
References
Categories:- Coral Gables, Florida
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Miami
- Roman Catholic churches in Florida
- Buildings and structures in Miami-Dade County, Florida
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