The history of St. Joseph Parish, Winter Haven can, no doubt, be traced back to the martyrs whose blood was shed by the waters of Tampa Bay in the 16th century. Missionary priests accompanied all the early Floridian explorers, Ponce de Leon, Panfilo Narvaez, and Hernando De Soto. (Florida at that time consisted of all the land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mississippi River.) Spain was eager to convert the natives and, of course, claim their land. The Indians early on had been terrorized, killed, and taken as virtual slaves to serve as translators, particularly by De Soto, and, consequently, they were less than eager to welcome the missionaries.
Because previous aggressive efforts had failed, Friar Luis de Cancer O.P. was convinced that a peaceful approach to the Indians would be effective. An expedition begun in 1549 landed in Charlotte Bay and was first met with friendship. However, in meeting with the local Indians, the group of four missionaries with one Indian translator became separated. Frs. Luis and Juan Garcia traveled eight days to the Bay, named by De Soto, Espiritu Santo, which is Tampa Bay today. They celebrated Mass there on June 20, the Feast of Corpus Christi. While there, they learned that the two other friars had been captured and scalped. Fr. Luis returned to the ship, but he wouldn’t give up his belief that a peaceful approach would work; further, he disagreed strongly with the alternative, a military approach. He swam ashore in rough weather and knelt in the sand to pray. The Indians’ response was to club him to death on June 26, 1549. He was the first martyr of colonial North America but not the last. The ship with the remaining sailors and friars left the Tampa Bay area June 28, 1549. Surely the blood of these martyrs prepared the land for Catholic ministry, although it would be almost 300 years before the area around Tampa Bay would begin to be settled. In 1860 the first parish in Tampa, St. Louis, with 41 families was established. (The church was named to honor Fr. Luis and King Louis IX of France, but was later renamed Sacred Heart Church by the Jesuits.) Although they would not shed their blood, the sweat and toils of the early Catholic settlers would nurture the growth of St. Joseph parish.
The First Catholic Comes to Polk County
In the ensuing years, Florida would be successively the property of Spain, England, and finally Spain. It was finally ceded to the United States in 1819 and was recognized as a state in 1845. The Catholic Church was early established in the Tampa Bay area; however, at that time, there were few Catholics in the interior of the state. The arrival of the railroad changed that. An Irishman, Patrick Bannon, was the first Catholic in this section of Polk County. A doctor in New York advised him for his health to seek a warmer climate, and he acted on that advice. He arrived in 1881 traveling from New York City to Jacksonville or Orlando by train and then by boat to Sanford. In Sanford, he purchased supplies, a wagon, and horses for his trip to Polk County, where he planned to establish a homestead on an island in Lake Marion close to the Grenelefe area. To reach the island, Bannon had to cross Reedy Creek. The Creek was deeper and more treacherous than he had anticipated, and in the crossing, he lost all his supplies. Today, the island is largely uninhabited, and a boat is still needed to reach the island.
Nevertheless, the land was rich, beautiful, and free, or almost free since it could be homesteaded or purchased for $1.25 an acre. Game was plentiful. Deer abounded, as did bears, wild turkey, quail, and squirrels. Blackberries and huckleberries grew wild. Bannon was friendly with an Indian Chief, Chipco, who had a camp on what later became known as Bannon’s Island. Chipco, with his tribe of about 75, lived first on an island in Lake Hamilton and later on the shores of Lake Pierce.
Return toTop
The Bannon Family - 1st Catholic Settlers
Bannon cleared his land and built a log home, which would eventually have the shape of a cross. The first year, he planted the whole island (30 acres) in string beans, but the freeze of 1881 wiped out his crop. In 1889, he traveled again to New York City and returned with his wife, Annie Mary Ryan. By this time, Bannon had also purchased the land and built a small house on the site of the Palm Crest Hotel, which is now Landmark College in the center of Haines City. Since the island was accessible only by boat when Annie Bannon was to deliver a child, they would move to this small house where she could receive the help of a midwife.
Bannon knew Fr. John Quinlan, SJ because he had been traveling with cart and horse to Tampa for Mass since there was no Catholic Church in the area. So shortly after Bannon returned from New York, he wrote Father Quinlan to say that he would be in Tampa for Christmas, bringing the Bannon’s six week-old baby for baptism. This 60 mile, almost two-week trip by horse and wagon also allowed Bannon to purchase supplies in Tampa since the three other stores that existed, one in Auburndale and two in Bartow, were not able to carry perishables, as no refrigeration was available in those stores. About 1850, ice from Boston was shipped to Tampa and then stored in icehouses. A Tampa ice factory, which manufactured ice, was built in 1885, but icehouses or factories did not yet exist in the interior.
Jesuits Travel to Polk from Tampa
In 1890 Father Philip de Carriere SJ celebrated the first area Mass in Haines City. Fr. Carriere was the 11th pastor of St. Louis in Tampa. In attendance were Mr. and Mrs. Bannon and two Italians who were working to build the railroad, which did so much to populate this part of the state. Father de Carriere returned two years later in 1892 to baptize Bridgett Mary Bannon, who would later become Sister Anthony with the Sisters of St. Joseph in St. Augustine. Next in 1895, Father Theophile de Beurme, S.J. celebrated Mass in the Bannon home. Bannon planned to offer $500 - a huge sum at that time - to build a church in Haines City, but this was not yet to be. Two of the Bannon grandchildren still live in Florida. Eileen O’Leary lives in Haines City and Patrick O’Leary lives in Jacksonville.
Three other Jesuits from Tampa, Fathers Firmin Ybarrechevea, Conrad Widman and Louis LeBlanc, visited Winter Haven between 1894 and 1902. At this time a few Catholic settlers lived on the outskirts of what would become Winter Haven. It is unclear if these priests celebrated Mass in the area, though supposedly they did. As one historian has said, “much is lost in the mists of time.”
The Early Church in Winter Haven
In 1894, Florian Reinhart, a Catholic, visited the Winter Haven area and stayed with Dr. F. W. Inman, whose home would later become the Florence Villa Hotel. The Inman home was located on the shores of Lake Spring on land that is now the Spring Lake Shopping Center. Since many of the early settlers who came to the area stayed at the Inmans’ home, it became a stopping-off place. Consequently, in 1905, Dr. Inman added forty-three rooms to what was becoming a hotel. He sold it the next year with 695 acres to the Florence Villa Hotel Company, which would enlarge it further. (The park just north of St. Joseph is named for the Inmans, and contains their graves.)
The next year, Reinhart returned with his wife to a small home he built on Lake Hartridge. He purchased all the land between Lake Hartridge and Lake Mirror. This land was then leased for citrus nursery use. The first Mass in the Winter Haven area was celebrated in the Reinharts’ home by Father Ybarrechevea S.J. Whenever a Jesuit priest could get to the area, a Mass was celebrated in the home of either the Reinharts or the Hibbses, other early Catholic settlers.
The Reinharts’ daughter, Mrs. Frank Senn, and her family soon moved to the area to improve her health. Her son, Ed Senn, recalls creating an altar for Mass by putting planks over two sawhorses and covering the lumber with a clean sheet. These celebrations were also attended by the servants, mostly African American, who worked in the Florence Villa Hotel. One of the waitresses who noticed the worn condition of Father Ybarrechevea’s shoes gave him the money to have them soled. Whether the Bannons attended these Masses is not known, though presumably they did. Mass was celebrated on alternate Sundays in Winter Haven and Bartow. When the Mass was held in Bartow, the Winter Haven Catholics would travel by train to Bartow. The train, named Peggy, which ran between Lake Alfred and Bartow, passed through what is now Central Park in Winter Haven. At each end of the run, the passengers would load the engine on a turntable to set the engine in place for the return trip.
By 1906, Catholics in Lakeland had built a small wooden church. The Jesuits served both Lakeland and Winter Haven as missions until 1920. An early settler writes of this time in the Tampa Sunland Tribune: “The prairies are beautiful, grand and picturesque. They extend over many townships, almost perfectly level, without a tree or shrub save the saw palmetto. In some portions they are interspread with groves of timber, cabbage palmetto and live oak hammocks. These prairies, covered with green grass as far as the eye can reach and dotted over with herds of cattle, afford a pleasing sight. During a ride of a summer evening, after a gentle, refreshing shower, we cannot help admiring nature, clothed in her most beautiful garb. The deer, turkey, and fowls of the air--all the animal and vegetable kingdoms join in one harmonious jubilee of praise to their Creator. How grateful man should be in the enjoyment of such inestimable blessings.”
Return toTop
Father Latiolas, S.J.
Winter Haven area Catholics in 1910 petitioned Bishop Michael J. Curley of St. Augustine asking for a regular Sunday Mass to be celebrated here. (St. Augustine was, for many years, the only diocese for this vast area). In 1912 again, 25 Catholics signed a similar petition. Represented in signing were members of the following families: Reinhart, Pearson, Senn, Keefe, Duggan, Liesegang, Hockinsmith, Schwedland, Bassing and Smith. On March 27 in 1913 in response to this petition, Father Alfred Latiolas S.J., a Jesuit from Tampa, offered Mass in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Pearson. From that time on, Sunday Mass was offered more regularly, usually by Fr. Latiolas, in the homes of one or the other of the early settlers. Sometimes the living room of the Keefe hotel was the site for Mass, and later the Bonita Theatre building was used. Fr. Latiolas has been called “much traveled, tangibly fruitful in his pastoral care, resourceful, self-sacrificial [and] shrewd.”
First Catholic Church
First Catholic Church in Winter Haven
Other early churches established in the area were the Presbyterian, Baptist, and the Methodist churches. The Methodists had built a small frame church in 1906 located on what is now Ave. A, SW. between 5th and 6th Streets, in the area of the Firestone store today. By 1913 the Methodists, now of Beymer Memorial United Methodist Church, were ready to build a larger brick structure. They offered to sell their small church to the Catholic community of Winter Haven for $759. Father Latiolais, who was serving the growing parish as well as St. Joseph in Lakeland, applied to Bishop Michael J. Curley of St. Augustine for funds. When $1000 was supplied from the Extension Society, the building was purchased and moved to what was then Howard Ave, but is now Ave B, SW, just west of the original Masonic Hall. No details as to how the church building was moved from the Methodist site on Ave. A SW. to Ave B. are known. The purchase was completed in November, 1914, but the little frame church required renovations to prepare it for Catholic worship. Father Latiolais and Matthew J. Smith did most of the work fixing up the inside because, as Fr. Latiolais noted, the parish was small and the members needed money to establish their homes, families, and businesses.
Two Early Catholics
Matthew J. Smith, one of the first parishioners, was only 21 when he arrived in Winter Haven. He had traveled by railroad as a stowaway in a hay car, traveling from Holdridge, Nebraska where he had been living for a year. According to his daughter, Mrs. Mary Fagan, he was a grammar school teacher, an instructor in penmanship in a business school and a traveling salesman in Missouri where he had been born. Another story describes him traveling to Florida with a friend but without a ticket. Whenever the conductor would approach, Matt would throw a canvas over himself to avoid detection.
Before he married and before St. Joseph became a mission church, Smith lived at the Keefe Hotel on 5th St. and Ave A. Later this became the site of Thornton Furniture. To attend Mass, Smith would walk to Auburndale from the hotel owned by the Keefe family to catch a train to Lakeland to attend Mass. He would then remain in Lakeland until 7 p.m. to catch a train back to Auburndale and then walk back to the hotel. As noted above, sometimes W. H. Keefe, one of the first parishioners, offered the lobby of the hotel as a site for Mass before the new church was purchased. Matt Smith and Will Keefe became lifelong friends.
Another early parishioner was Frank Goodman, Sr. who came to Lake Alfred with a law degree in 1913 from Fargo, North Dakota. Once here, he worked with the Florida Fruitlands Company, a company owned by settlers from Fargo. Naturally enough, Lake Alfred was first incorporated under the name of Fargo. (It was also known as Little Armenia, Chubb, and Bartow Junction because of the railroad.) Traveling the muddy road on horseback between Lake Alfred and Winter Haven led Goodman to convince the citizens of Lake Alfred and Winter Haven that a passable clay road should be built. Both communities contributed funds for the road, and men from both locations worked from their separate ends to connect the towns. Mr. Goodman’s son would later become the first priest ordained from St. Joseph.
Keefe’s Hotel
.FrankGoodman, Sr
Return toTop
First Mass Celebrated
The first Mass was celebrated in the new church on Thanksgiving Day, 1914, with Bishop Curley present to bless the building. Bishop Curley often stayed at the Keefe Hotel when he came to minister to the tiny congregation, which was still a mission of the Jesuits. Bishop Curley, who later became Archbishop of Baltimore remembered his Florida experience with affection. He wrote, “I have never gotten the sand of Florida out of my shoes or should I say, out of my hair…. I am free to admit that….my heart is in Florida where I spent ten of my happiest years of my life as a priest.” What a blessing for these poor hardworking Catholics to have a house of worship blessed by a beloved bishop.
On Christmas day, Father F. Padillo SJ on a visit to Tampa from Mexico came to Winter Haven to celebrate three Masses. For the rest of the winter and well into spring, Fr. Padillo returned to Winter Haven to celebrate Mass twice a month.
Helen Eastman recalls early years living in a house across from this little church. Her home would later become the Chamber of Commerce. One earlier parishioner exclaimed on first seeing the church, “But it’s just a little house!”
The population of Winter Haven, which had been incorporated in 1911, was growing, but life was still rustic. Central Ave. was still overrun with cows and chickens. Laws were passed to restrict their access to the city streets because by 1915, Winter Haven boasted 15 automobiles.
Early Catholic Education
One of the first concerns of the Catholic families was the Catholic education of their young. In the beginning, parents were responsible for this education. Pat Bannon hired teachers to come to the island to teach his children. As early as 1913 Mrs. William (Anna) Keefe organized Sunday School classes. Matt Smith, Mrs. Ford J. DeHaven Sr., and the Duggan sisters taught the Baltimore Catechism. Later others were involved in this education with a religious vacation school and a summer camp, Camp Good Counsel. Later still, the Sisters of St. Francis came from Lakeland on Saturdays to teach the children of parishioners.
Mrs. Ford (Margaret) De Haven accepts the Papal Blessing presented by Father Tobin
Mrs. Ford DeHaven
Mrs. Ford DeHaven, one of these early teachers, had arrived in Winter Haven from San Antonio, Florida, where she had been born and educated. She arrived in 1916 as Margaret McCabe and here met a nephew of the Inmans, Ford J. DeHaven who was, of course, active in the citrus business. They were married in 1920 in the early church. Mrs. DeHaven was an indefatigable worker for the church. She was the first organist, organized the first choir, and trained the first altar boys. Her service to St. Joseph continued over the years. She was a president of the Catholic Women’s Club, which grew from the early Altar Society, and was one of the organizers of the West Coast Deanery. One of her memories was of the early days when the Florence Villa Hotel was filled with people coming to Florida by train to Lake Alfred or Bartow and taking horse and buggy over clay roads to reach the hotel.
Mrs. DeHaven served not only her church, but also the growing city as well. For example, she served on the Winter Haven Library Board for 42 years. Once when the library was about to close for lack of funds, she went from door to door soliciting contributions. In 1967 the Chamber of Commerce presented her the Banker’s Cup for her outstanding contributions to the city.
Father Farley
She also ran a successful catering business, which grew from a tearoom she operated in the Lake Region Hotel. Later she managed the dining room in the Haven Hotel. All this she accomplished while raising four children, three girls and a boy. She remarked of her work at St. Joseph, “Outside of my wonderful family it [the church] has been my life.” Women like Mrs. DeHaven have given much to the church over the years.
First Rectory
Return toTop
St. Joseph Named a Parish Church
St. Joseph’s remained a mission church served by the Tampa Jesuits until December, 1920. At that time, Bishop Curley assigned the various mission churches of Polk County to diocesan priests. Father Michael J. Farley, the first pastor of St. Joseph, Lakeland, became responsible for the missions in Bartow and Winter Haven.
On December 1, 1923, Father Dennis J. O’Keefe, a diocesan priest, was assigned as the first resident pastor. Fr. O’Keefe would serve the parish for the next three years until 1926.
Church Exterior
Church Interior
Father Dennis J. O’Keefe 1923 -1926
As the city grew, so did the number of Catholics. In the nine years from 1914 until 1923 the parish had outgrown the original Methodist building, and the need for a new building was clear. The little church was deemed too small for the growing Catholic population and plans were drawn for a new Spanish-type church, which would seat 300 to 400. Building was delayed while more property on Ave. K was purchased for the church building, a hall, and parking space. The first order of business became finding a rectory for Fr. O’Keefe in the latter part of 1924. A small house was purchased on the corner of Ave. K, NW. and 7th St. behind what is now St. Paul Episcopal Church. By 1925 the new Spanish-type church was completed on Ave. K close to 7th St. and Fr. O’Keefe celebrated the first Mass there on Christmas Day, 1925.
The church had a tabernacle and a beautiful carved altar. The altar was paid for by Joe Tobin and built by the Langenhorst brothers, Joe and Frank, who were carpenters. The altar was decorated with candlesticks carved by Matt Smith. (Some of these are now in the homes of a few parishioners.) There were statues of Mary and Joseph beside the altar. In the rear of the church on either side of main aisle were a confessional, a shrine to St. Therese of Lisieux, and a baptismal font.
The Langerhorst brothers also built the altar rail at home as a surprise for Father and the parishioners. It was another year before pews were built. The men of the parish built the pews themselves. Mentioned among the builders are Charles O. Emry, Matt Smith, Will Keefe, William Der, Jesse Roberts, and LaVerne Schneider. Meanwhile, since at first there was no meeting hall, a large curtain was installed to hang before the sanctuary when parishioners met for social or business affairs. Ads, which were sold to local merchants, decorated the curtain. One large ad mentioned the Joe Bassing Plumbing Company. If there was a power failure, Matt Smith would drive his car up to the door of the church to provide some light other than the candles.
Return toTop
Lyceum Hall
Since the parish now had a debt for purchasing property and a building, the next project to be undertaken was a hall especially for fund raising, but also for meetings and social gatherings. In 1926, men of the parish found an old hotel in Eloise called the Richloom Hotel. This was purchased for $500. Mr. Emry, a construction man recently arrived from Iowa, sawed the building into two or four sections (either would be a feat!), and it was moved to the property next to the church on Ave. K. Part of the lumber was used to construct the hall and the rest was sold.
Whenever the men of the parish could afford the time, they worked together to reconstruct the building, which was named appropriately Lyceum Hall since it would be used for education, social meetings and fund raising projects. (Aristotle taught in a gymnasium in ancient Athens called Lyceum.) A porch was added and the building was covered with stucco. Inside, the walls were covered with wallboard; a stage and a ticket booth were added. The hall served the church for many years and was finally sold in 1972.
History of Two Early Organizations
In the 20’s and early 30’s, the Knights of Columbus, the Holy Name Society, and the Catholic Women’s Club were organized. The Holy Name Society has not continued here, but The Knights of Columbus certainly have. The Knights were founded in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney, whose cause for canonization was opened in 1997. In Polk County, the fraternal organization of Knights was first chartered in Lakeland in 1924. Because the Winter Haven group was especially strong, meetings alternated between Lakeland and Winter Haven. James Keefe of Winter Haven was the first Grand Knight and Matt Smith was another early Grand Knight. Meetings were held in Father Farley’s home in Lakeland. In 1928, according to the Polk County Knights of Columbus Bulletin, council 2505 was moved to Winter Haven and had headquarters in Lyceum Hall.
In 1959 the local council 4726 was chartered and named “The Dr. Lawrence J. O‘Rourke Council” in honor of Dr. O’Rourke, a charter member and generous donor of the Knights. Originally, 30 members were on the Winter Haven roster. At one time, most of the men of the parish were members of the Knights. In 1969 a K of C Hall was purchased at 3308 Ave. W, NW. In 1980, the Knights numbered 289 with a range in age from 18 to 80. Today, there are 350 Knights in the parish. There have been 36 Grand Knights, among them Paul Wells and Chuck Langbein, who are charter members.
One of the principal aims of the Knights of Columbus is the support of charities. For example, in 1980, the Knights contributed to more than 20 organizations in the Winter Haven and Central Florida area: for example, Shriner Burn Hospital, Meals on Wheels, the American Red Cross and the Lions Club’s Eyesight Program. They contributed to the building funds of St. Ann in Haines City, St. Thomas in Bartow and St. Matthew. Scholarships by the Knights were offered to students at Santa Fe High School and St. Joseph School.
Today, the Knights contribute some $60,000 raised principally from funds generated by twice-weekly bingo games at the hall. They continue to offer financial support to more than 20 organizations. Some of these are Hospice, Farm Workers, Seminarians, PRIDE and DARE, the Religious Retirement Fund, the medical mission to the Dominican Republic, St. Vincent de Paul Society, and Habitat of Humanity.
The Catholic Women’s Club grew out of an Altar Society that existed in 1915. It was organized by the Duggan sisters and Mrs. Cogsdale. By 1929 the CWC listed 33 members, which grew to 50 by 1935. Early presidents were Mrs. Ford J. DeHaven, Sr., Mrs. R.C. Erwin, Mrs. Ted Reilly, and Mrs. Mary Louise Ferguson, who was later Mrs. Robert Shriver. Activities listed in the president’s record book for 1935-36 show the enterprise and ingenuity of these ladies. There were study clubs, dances for older children, picnic-swimming parties, Sunday night lawn suppers, picture show ticket sales, and card parties. This organization continues to this day.
Father Nolan
Because the younger women could not meet during the day, the Junior Catholic Women’s Club was organized in 1945. Early activities were sewing layettes for needy infants and care of the altar and altar linens, as well as providing weekly flower arrangements and decorating for special feast days. In 1952, the group became the St. Joseph Guild and became affiliated with the National Council of Catholic Women, the Orlando Diocesan Council and the Western Deanery. The main money-making projects are the Religious Gift Shop sales and the annual Welfare Coffee. From these proceeds the Guild has made quarterly contributions to Catholic Charities, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Family Emergency Services, and the Women’s Pregnancy Center. The Guild also works with other causes in the community, and its members serve in other ministries in the church and community.
Second Rectory
Father Patrick Nolan 1928-1934
Father Patrick E. Nolan came to St. Joseph in 1926, and the parish continued to grow, as did Winter Haven. A 1927 government census listed the population of Winter Haven as 7,138 and in the next four years the parish population had increased by 400 percent. Soon a pipe organ was installed in the new church. A home on Ave. I, NW, where there is now a small shopping center, was purchased and renovated for Fr. Nolan. Lyceum Hall was jumping with events sponsored by the Women’s Club.
Father Nolan established a club for boys so that they could play baseball, among other things. Fred Langerhorst tells the story that the club was organized after Father found some of them shooting craps. First, he challenged them to a bet of 15 cents, which Fred took. When Fred lost his money, Father found better activities for them.
At this time, one writer calls the parish “one of the strongest and most active parishes in the county.” Parishioners were hoping that President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal would hasten the day when the parish would have a school staffed by religious Sisters, but that would not be a reality for almost 30 more years. Religious instructions for children continued two days a week with vacation school for two or three weeks run by the Catholic Women’s Club.
Father Nolan enjoyed playing golf with other priests of the area. He would serve the parish until 1933, when he was transferred to St. Joseph in Lakeland. He was served by a housekeeper, Julie, whose donuts were legendary. The love parishioners had for Father Nolan is exemplified by Sophie Fleming, Helen Eastman’s mother, who, when he was transferred to Jacksonville, spent several months there, helping him get organized in his new parish. During World War II, Father Nolan, who had long been a Chaplain for the National Guard, served with the U.S. Air Force. He served in China, India, and Burma and reached the rank of Colonel, the highest rank a chaplain can achieve.
Return toTop
Father John J. O’Keefe 1934-35
The next priest to serve St. Joseph was Father John J. O’Keefe. According to one source, he was a pastor alone at St. Francis Xavier in Fort Myers, a church in need of new buildings with six missions to be served as well. The assignment was too burdensome for him. He was suffering from jaundice, insomnia, nervousness, and alcoholism. He returned to the Diocese of Limerick, Ireland. After two years, in 1933, he asked Bishop Patrick Barry, then bishop of the St. Augustine diocese, for a new assignment in Florida. Fr. O’Keefe remained only a year from 1934 to 1935 before returning permanently to Ireland.
Father Brown
Father Michael J. Brown 1934-1942
When Father Michael J. Brown became pastor of St. Joseph in 1935 in the later Depression years, he was faced with a debt of $60,000, a huge sum in those years. Before becoming a priest, Fr. Brown had spent some years in the business world, so his first task, as he saw it, was to reduce the debt. This was no small task at a time when money was in short supply for most folks. At this time the parish consisted of about 100 families, but apparently everyone pitched in, encouraged by Father’s frequently repeated exhortations, “Remember our Lord is never outdone in generosity,” and “all for the greater honor and glory of God.” Father called the fund-raising which followed his Five Year Plan.
Catholic Women’s Club Activities During this Period
The Women’s Club president’s record for 1935- 1936 details many activities sponsored to make money. Some of the special events included a St. Patrick’s Day Dinner and Vaudeville and the Annual Parish Bazaar. The women prepared food for the Orange Blossom Dining Room, a popular part of the Florida Citrus Festival. The dining room was the only place at the festival where visitors could get home-cooked food, or just sit and visit over a cup of coffee. The men of the parish assisted by transporting food from the Hall to the Festival site. Helen Eastman, possibly the oldest parishioner who has been a member of this parish since birth, was a teenager at this time and remembers working at the Orange Blossom Dining Room serving tables and much more. A Halloween party and a Christmas party with a play were other events. Because the Philadelphia Athletics had their spring practice in Winter Haven, an entertainment called Phillies’ Phollies was performed.
Father Nevin
These events were not really what could be called money-makers although much effort was put into each of the affairs. For example, at the St. Patrick’s Day Dinner about 250 people attended, but the net proceeds were only $140.92. Apparently, the Phollies event was a little more successful bringing in $231.25. The most successful money-maker was the Orange Blossom Dining Room, which netted $307. In all, the 50 women members were able to make $1177.29 for the year to be given to Fr. Brown.
At one point, someone discovered that Fr. Brown had not received his $50 salary for eight months. A committee of eight consisting of W.H. Keefe, Matt Smith, Frank Goodman Sr., Sam Pusateri, Louis Ziegler, E.J. Senn, Frank Pierce, and Mary Louise Ferguson pooled 98 names and visited all parishioners’ homes to collect $350.50, which was about $3.50 a family. Considering that one card party given earlier had netted only $2.60, this collection showed great generosity on the part of the parishioners. In the eight years Father served St. Joseph, he was able to reduce the debt $11,000.
But all was not efforts to make money. A picture was taken of Father helping to pull the ferry to Bannon’s island, probably for a celebration or festivity of some kind. He also enjoyed golf. The young people would hustle to the city golf course, which was located where Polk Community College is today. They would vie for the opportunity of caddying for the priests. Also, after attending a Requiem Mass, the young people would pile in Fr. Brown’s car for a ride to the cemetery to attend the services there. Returning from the cemetery, the car would rock with Irish songs. Fr. Brown is also remembered as being a deeply spiritual man who provided many spiritual benefits for the parish.
Fr. Joseph Barry
There were only four regular altar servers at this time: Billy Jim Smith, son of Matt Smith; Frank Goodman Jr.; Ed Wiles; and Dean Neiderkohr. The boys later would also be ushers. One of their unusual tasks was to go to a drug store to purchase the big cigars that were favorites of Fr. Brown.
Father John O’Sullivan
Father John J. Nevin 1942- 1950 and Father Joseph Barry 1950-1952
When Father Nevin served St. Joseph Church, the parish was undoubtedly still in debt. The country was still coming out of the Depression and had only the year before been plunged into World War II. At this time, strict rules governed church dress and behavior. The women and girls wore hats; no slack or shorts were allowed. Lipstick was not to be worn if one was receiving Holy Communion. And, of course, absolute silence was to be observed in church.
From 1942 to 1945 the Florida Orange Festival Building was home to some 250 German prisoners of war who were brought here to work in the citrus industry. They were used to pick, pack, process, and can citrus. Obviously, the Festival was not held during these years, and the dining room operated by the parish was inactive. It is remembered that the prisoners were well fed, moved about the town with relative freedom, and often stayed in the homes of families who were using their help.
First school with four classrooms
Toward the end of his pastorate, Father Nevin established the first Parish Council. The parish said a formal good bye to him with a reception in November 1950. He was presented with gifts of a radio and luggage. At the reception, Frank Goodman, Jr. and Mrs. Russell N. Haas sang Irish numbers as a special tribute. The organist, Mrs. Margery Peake, arranged the music. After almost 8 years service, he had been transferred to St. Mary’s Hospital in West Palm Beach as Chaplain. In 1955 Father Nevin returned to Ireland.
The next pastor of St. Joseph was Father Joseph Barry. He served the parish for less than two years. It may have been during his time here that the church was raided by the police for having a bingo game in Lyceum Hall. At this time Polk County prohibited alcohol as well as gambling. No one was arrested, however. (Obviously not only church rules were strict.) Maybe the raid was responsible for one parishioner remembering the good-looking Father Barry as being prematurely gray.
Return toTop
Father John V. O’Sullivan 1952 -1956
Father O’ Sullivan was responsible for providing St. Joseph with its first real school. It was apparent that the parish was growing, and a new church on new property would be necessary. And although the school had been long awaited, some were displeased that the school took precedence in the building plans over the needed new church. Frank Goodman, Sr., wanted the church to buy the property where Albertsons is now located, but it seems ironic now that the Bishop felt this property was too far from the center of town. One night Father Sullivan finally heard from the Bishop at 1 a.m. that the property on Ave. M, now the site of church, school and other buildings, should be purchased.
Construction of the first unit of the school began with clearing the land in July of 1956. The cost was estimated at $75,000, and the contract for construction was awarded to the Gerald Emry Construction Co. as announced by Archbishop Joseph P. Hurley, of the diocese of St. Augustine. I. A. de Minicis of Tampa designed the school. The school was constructed of concrete block and steel. This was the second Catholic school built in Polk County. (The first school was at St. Joseph in Lakeland.)
Father Anderson and three St. Joseph Sisters
School classes were begun in an existing building on the south side of Ave. M. Apparently, enrollment continued to rise. In that first year figures from 57 to 110 students are given. Three Sisters of St. Joseph from St. Augustine and Nadine Hoffman taught the grades from 1-3 with a combined 4-5th grade. Sr. Mary Clement was the first principal. Serving with her were Sr. Mary Paul and Sr. Margaret Jean. At first, classes were held in the convent located where the present Chapel is today. Perhaps some were held in Lyceum Hall. When the school building was completed in mid-year with four classrooms, classes moved to the new facility.
Unfortunately, Fr. O’Sullivan, who was only 55 and had been a priest for 29 years, did not live to see the completed school. He had been in failing health for some time and died at St. Joseph Hospital in Tampa on Dec. 23, 1956. According to a News Chief article on December 28, 1956, he had “led the parish in an expansion program that added many members and much physical property.” His funeral was held on December 27 at St. Joseph and on the 28th a high requiem mass was said in the Cathedral at St. Augustine. He was buried there in San Lorenzo Cemetery.
Gift Shop Begins
Probably during Father Sullivan’s tenure, the gift shop, at present in the back of the church, was begun because finding religious articles was difficult although Marjorie Peake, church organist, owned a children’s clothing store and carried some rosaries and medals. St. Anne’s Circle, a part of the Junior Women’s Club, began the gift shop with an inventory of $175. Located in Lyceum Hall the shop was for some time just a few tables put up before Masses. The display was dismantled after the last Mass, and items were stored. Two break-ins to the Hall suggested that the group design a glass display case that could be locked and later displayed in the vestibule of the church. Now items could simply be locked up after the Masses. When the new church was planned, the gift shop was given a special corner room in the rear of the church. The glass case is still in use.
Nadine Hoffman
Father Anderson 1957-1964
When Father Charles Christian Anderson arrived, the first phase of the school building, with four classrooms, was just being completed. Students moved into the new building on Jan. 3, 1957. Archbishop Joseph P. Hurley was invited to dedicate the new school. At the dedication on March 15, 1957, he remarked, “This Catholic school marks a turning point in the history of the Catholic Church in Central Florida. Take it to your hearts, cherish it, support it, it is yours.” A temporary altar was set up outside the school, and after the Archbishop dedicated the building and blessed each classroom, Benediction was given.
But this was not the end. Plans had already been made for the building of the next four classrooms. When this second unit was completed, the school had eight classrooms, lavatories, a lounge and office. This second phase was completed in the summer of 1958 and welcomed an enlarged student body in September, 1958. Tuition fees were $10.00 a month or $15.00 a month for families with more than one child enrolled. Most students were from Winter Haven, but some children came from Bartow, Lake Wales, and Haines City.
A bus picked up the students in outlying areas. Once when the bus broke down, Willie Winston, who had driven the bus for many years, went to each home to ensure that all the students had been able to get to school. Willie was the father-in-law of Dorothy Winston, who was the housekeeper in the rectory for many years.
Because there was no cafeteria, the students brought lunches from home in Mickey Mouse, Barbie, and other decorated lunch boxes, complete with Thermos bottles. Wooden picnic tables were set up under the trees at the far end of the property, near where the gym is now located. Eating picnic style presented a few problems such as splinters, ants, flies, and gulls from Lake Silver who seemed to know when it was lunchtime. The gulls would swoop down unexpectedly and make off with a tasty morsel from someone’s lunch. In inclement weather, children remained in their classrooms for lunch.
In time, a screened-in building was built, near where the kindergarten and science lab now stand. With electrical facilities now available, on certain days room mothers and aides prepared hot dogs. Hamburgers were provided by MacDonald’s, which was just being introduced to the Winter Haven area. Children were presold tickets for hot dogs and had to specify whether they wanted their hotdogs with catsup, with mustard, or plain. At lunch, if a child had ordered catsup, the child was given a dog wrapped in a pink napkin, if mustard, a yellow napkin, and white if an undecorated dog was the child’s request.
Father Goodman at His Ordination Mass
Father Anderson moves into third Rectory
Return toTop
Nadine Hoffman’s Contributions
Father Anderson was influential in introducing music to the school system. He brought in the first piano, and in time a school band was formed. At one time, Ruby and Charlie, the Happy Faces, directed the band. Students were active with regular choir members in such ambitious musical programs as HMS Pinafore, The Mikado, and Showboat, which were directed by Nadine Hoffman, the first lay teacher at St. Joseph. These musicals were performed at Nora Mayo Hall. Mrs. Hoffman had earlier produced and directed such plays as The Prince and the Pauper and Julius Caesar, which were performed in Lyceum Hall.
Ground Breaking for new church, Father Anderson with shovel
Later Mrs. Hoffman would become the music director for the church and school. Under Father Vincent Smith, the choir loft of the new church was remodeled to accommodate a larger choir, and choir rooms and choir robes became available. One of the significant events organized and directed by Mrs. Hoffman was the Harvest of Music. Every year for at least seven years, church and school choirs from around the city would perform this ecumenical Thanksgiving celebration at St. Joseph. After the performance, the musicians and the audience were invited to meet in the parish hall for refreshments and hospitality
.
Barbara the Bell
Under Father Smith, Mrs. Hoffman would contribute articles and poetry to The Chronicle, which was created to supplement the Sunday bulletin and was published monthly describing people, organizations, and activities of the parish.
But this all occurred after Father Anderson completed the building of the “new” church. Nora Mayo Hall must have been a familiar site for parishioners of St. Joseph. Not only were dramatic and musical productions performed there, but Mass was celebrated there as well. The Church on Ave. K could comfortably seat only 300, and although two Masses were offered each Sunday, people attending would have to stand outside the church doors to participate in the celebration. Now that the school was completed with 8 classrooms in 1958, Father Anderson moved immediately in 1959 to a building fund drive for a new church. Meanwhile, parishioners brought pillows or hand-made kneelers to kneel on for Mass at 8 and 11 a.m. at Nora Mayo Hall from May, 1959 until the new church would be completed. During this period, the parish also built a chapel in Haines City for $35,000 where Father Anderson also said Sunday Mass.
Father Frank Goodman
One of the last important events to be held in the “old” church was the ordination of Father Frank Goodman. Father was only the 10th native Floridian to be ordained a priest and was the first priest from Polk County. Before deciding on a vocation, Father Goodman earned a degree in engineering at Notre Dame. He also served in WWII as an Army lieutenant. He was 35 at the time of his ordination in St. Joseph Church on Feb. 1, 1959 surrounded by parents, family, and friends. Bishop Joseph P. Hurley ordained Father Goodman and received Father‘s first blessing. Father Vincent Smith, who would later become a pastor of St. Joseph, was one of the priests attending. Father Goodman’s first solemn Mass, was said at St. Joseph on Feb. 8, 1959 at 11:30. Previously he had said Mass for the Women’s Guild on Feb.6. Father Goodman was a pastor of two churches in the newly created St. Petersburg Diocese. Father donated one of the side windows in the new church when it was built. After retirement he returned to Lake Alfred and frequently offered morning Mass and served at other church functions both at St. Ann and St. Joseph. A friend has said of him, “Like the citrus trees he cherished so much, Father Frank lived to be of service to others.” He also loved old cars with powerful motors and loved to spend time tinkering with them. In 2002, Father, whose health had become frail, moved back to St. Petersburg to be closer to his earlier parishioners. After a series of strokes that paralyzed his left side, Father, remarked that one of first things he was going to do in Heaven was to wave his left arm and announce, “See, it works!” He died October 9, 2002 in Anthony’s Hospital and was buried in the cemetery in Lake Alfred. He will be missed.
More than 100 men of the parish were soon organized to conduct a parish-wide appeal for the building of the new church. The New Church Appeal set a goal of $140,000, encouraging parishioners to “give not your mite, but your mightiest,” for a church that would accommodate 1000 worshipers. Robert V. Huff was General Chairman; Joseph W. Higgins was Vice-chairman ; and Gerald J. Emry was Advance Gift Chairman, with Paul D. Wells and Frank Goodman, Sr. serving as Advisory Committeemen. September 18, 1960 was the occasion of formal groundbreaking for the new church. City and county officials, as well as many parishioners, were in attendance. The Appeal had exceeded the goal by more than $25,000.
One of the special features of the new church is the 80-foot bell tower. The tower is topped with a 12-foot high stone cross. The bell itself, named Barbara for Father Anderson’s mother, rings automatically every day at 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. to remind people to say the Angelus. Bishop Hurley sprinkled “Barbara,” which was cast in Germany, with holy water before she was lifted into the tower.
When the church was completed in 1961, Father Anderson said much of the beauty of the church could be credited to Gerald Emry, contractor, and son of Mr. and Mrs. C.O. Emry, early pioneers in the church. Mary Louise Shriver describes the church: “The exterior is pinkish-buff Tennessee brick with cast stone trim…. A statue of St. Joseph is placed above the main entrance, which also has a stained glass window ten feet in diameter. A terrazzo floor in the interior is enhanced by a marble wainscot and base. The three altars are light marble.” Monsignor Patrick J. Nolan, who had served the parish from 1928 to 1934 and was now working in the Chancery, blessed the church.
Rasalyn Quinn
By this time Lyceum Hall was no longer useable, so the old church became the church hall. The old church was eventually named Fr. Anderson Hall after he was assigned to Haines City to Transfiguration Church, which is now St. Ann Church. When he retired in 1978, he lived in Lake Alfred and continued to say Mass at both St. Joseph and St. Ann whenever he was needed until he died in 1994. Bishop Norbert M. Dorsey, Bishop of Orlando Diocese, was the main celebrant at the Mass of Christian Burial. Father Anderson had been ordained in Hartford, Connecticut and was buried in Assumption Cemetery in Westport, Connecticut.
Father Matthew J. Connolly 1964-1970
Little is known about Father Connolly’s pastorate. He is remembered as being shy. The Women’s Guild reported that in a talk to the Guild he had asked them to “put your hand to the parish ‘rope” and pull together.” He also explained the five reasons for the Guild as being social, spiritual, financial, edification and personal development. Today, Father is an expert on Canon Law in the Orlando Diocese. Although now confined to a wheelchair, he serves as judicial vicar, overseeing annulments in his chancery office. During his time The St. Vincent de Paul Society was formed.
The local conference of the Society was formed in 1968 by Joe Rooney, Don Blaser, C.A. Hydron, Jim Waters and James O’Hara. Don Blaser was still active in the Society in 1982 and Gus Hydron is still an active member. The Society operates solely on contributions from benefactors and members, and all funds are used for assistance to the poor with the exception of the cost of the telephone and printing supplies. Members cover the phone calls daily and then visit the poor who have requested help. The members carefully research each situation before they give help. They assist the needy with food, medicines, medical treatment, transportation, lodging, clothing, utilities, simple advice and, sometimes, simply a sympathetic ear. All of this is in keeping with the person-to- person service desired by the founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, and its patron, St. Vincent de Paul.
The Society is now the St. Joseph-St. Matthew Conference with membership from both parishes. This Conference is affiliated with the District, Regional and United States Councils of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Meetings are held weekly in the St. Joseph Family Life Center.
Father Nicholas H. King was the first associate pastor at St. Joseph and was assigned during Father Connolly’s tenure. He would remain when Father Smith came to the parish. Later he would serve as Chancellor of the diocese of Orlando. He would return to St. Joseph when Father Smith was away for extended periods of time. Other priests who served St. Joseph before assistants were assigned were priests from St. Leo Benedictine Abbey near Dade City and the Priests of Mary Help of Christians from their school in Tampa. One of these who visited often was Salesian Father Daniel O’Donovan.
Rosalyn Quinn, Office Administrator
Fortunately, in his last year, Father Connelly was served by Roselyn Quinn, who remained as Office Manager for 13 years. She is described as being “the spirit of the church,” and as a “blue-eyed, white-haired, whirlwind of a lady.” Mrs. Quinn supervised the operations of a clerical staff and coordinated the activities of some 30 parish ministries. She not only managed the office for Frs. Connelly, Smith, but she was a special minister to the sick, a member of the Cantabile Choir, and a member of St. Joseph Guild. She had also trained in the diocesan program for Pastoral Ministry. She died in 1982 shortly after her husband Byron, who had also been actively involved in parish activities.
Father Vincent Eugene Smith 1970-1981
To capture the essence of Father Vincent E. Smith’s 11 years at St. Joseph is much like trying to contain Niagara Falls in a thimble. A children’s program to celebrate Father Smith’s silver jubilee of ordination in May of 1981 was titled “The Hats of Father Smith.” This seems an appropriate theme for a priest who is remembered with deep love by the many who knew him. He energized the parish and delegated many responsibilities to the many who could find no way to refuse his suggestions and requests. Much of the information recorded for these years is derived from The Chronicle, a monthly parish bulletin apparently initiated by Fr. Smith in 1970. It was published from September to May and continued through 1983.
Fr. Smith came to St. Joseph after being pastor of several parishes and being Executive Editor of the Florida Catholic. Named dean of the western deanery of Orlando, he had been a builder in previous parishes and continued building here. He built the Parish Center, Library, Learning Center, and kindergarten, and renovated the convent and the rectory. A small house behind the rectory often used for meetings and special projects was called “Our House.”
Return toTop
Since the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine had left St. Joseph before his arrival, he traveled to Cleveland, Ohio to persuade the Sisters of Notre Dame of Chardon to help staff the school. Sister Mary Charlita was the first principal of the school. She served for six years from 1970 to 1976, and it is claimed she knew all the children and their families. Fr. Smith called her “first lady of the parish.” In 1972 the school population was 278 students. Working with Sr. Charlita in the school were eight full-time teachers and seven part time. One faculty member had a Master’s Degree. The Sisters at that time were: Srs. Judith Ann (Ruth Mary), John Michael (Mary Virginia), Paul Rene (Mary), David Anne (Katherine Mary), Martin de Porres (Mary Agnes), and Jane Francis (Jeanne Mary).
Sr. Charlita was followed by Sr. Mary Eduard (Therese Marie) who was here from 1976 to 1982. When Sr. Eduard was assigned elsewhere after six years at St. Joseph, she was honored with three days of festivities, according to the News Chief of May 26, 1982. Other Sisters here during those years were Srs. M. Madelaine, Verne, Linda (Rosemary), Joan of Arc (Margaret Mary) and Leanette (Mary Helen). Father also brought the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary from Michigan to serve in lay ministries of the church.
In the community, he was active in securing funds and developing the Haven Community Day Care Center, which provided for young children of the Florence Villa community. His name was placed on the building, and when Martin Luther King Drive was named, this community erected a memorial there for him after his death. He was instrumental with the Episcopal church in erecting the Episcopal-Catholic Apartments for the elderly of both parishes. With one of his assistant pastors, he was instrumental in founding the Good Shepherd Hospice. In 1975, because the parish was continually growing, St. Matthew parish was begun to serve Catholics, particularly in southeastern Winter Haven.
In October, 1980, Father Smith attended the Vatican II Institute for clergy education in California for six weeks. He recovered from prostate cancer in 1977, but shortly after his return from the Institute in the year before his jubilee celebration, a brain tumor was detected. From the end of 1980 until his death on December 22, 1981, he continued to share his love, inspiration and dedication with his parishioners. Kathleen Holden said of him, “Fr. Smith “cast bread on the water and got back angel food cake.”
Sara Ellen McNamee wrote this letter to him after his death. “You taught us how to live with our flawed selves. Instead of going to great lengths to hide your imperfection, you simply allowed us to come close enough to see. When you experienced failure, you weren’t afraid to say, ‘I was wrong. I’m sorry.’ You were aware, sometimes, of rejection, by those who disagreed. You felt blows, as we all do, but you never yielded to the human tendency to give up. You never said, ‘This effort is being misunderstood. Why fight defeat?’ You seemed to say, ‘I believe in this. I’ll give it my best, and leave the outcome to the Lord.’ And those who were watching learned that to fail doesn’t mean to stop trying.”
Shortly before his death, Father, who had a fine Irish voice, prepared two recordings with organist Mildred Hrezo and guitarist Bob Hager. The last musical selection was Father’s special message to St. Joseph based on Isaiah 49:15, “I will never forget you, my people.” And his people have not forgotten him and the love he spread so generously. Roselyn Quinn wrote of him, ‘He left us untold wealth, a veritable treasure chest of gifts: his precious gift of Faith, his gift of prayer, his delightful gift of laughter, his beautiful voice lifted up in song, his rare gift of affirmation, his special gift of love.’
Some of the many who worked with Father Smith
Father Andrew Wawrzycki
Father Wawrzycki was apparently quite young. Because of his youth, Father Smith is said to have remarked, “I never thought I’d live to hear the patter of tiny feet in the rectory.“ Fr. Wawrzycki loved to ride his motorcycle. A McGovern supporter, he was likeable and is remembered for his wisdom. Father is now located in Eustis, Florida where he is on extended sick leave.
Father F. Joseph Harte
Father Harte arrived in Nov. of 1974 and was reassigned from St. Joseph In Feb. of 1975. He was assigned to a new mission church, Holy Family, in Bay Hills. He had been leading a Lenten discussion series on the sacraments, so he planned to return to St. Joseph to continue the series. He remembers the people of St. Joseph as being friendly, caring, and loving. He was particularly impressed by a group of young people in the parish at that time. Father Harte is now the director of Our Lady of the Universe Church in Orlando, which developed from the mission church, Holy Family.
Father David Acker
Father Acker first came to St. Joseph as a Deacon and then returned after his ordination in 1974. He brought to the priesthood a devotion to scholarship and a love of teaching. As a seminarian he was introduced to the work of the Dominican Sisters of St. Rose of Lima, who care for those afflicted with cancer. This brought Father to an awareness of the need for a Hospice program in Winter Haven. (The Hospice program began in England in 1967.) Fr. Acker and those who worked with him, such as Mary Lou Joines, were active in developing Good Shepherd Hospice, which became a reality in 1979. Father Acker also initiated the soup kitchen during Lent. Parishioners were asked to partake of soup and a slice of bread and contribute what they would have spent on a meal at home or in a restaurant. Not only did the 20 to 30 gallons of soup prepared generate funds for charity, the soup also helped parishioners identify with the millions in the world who go to bed hungry every night. This practice is still present today as the “bring a sandwich, soup will be provided” gathering on Lenten Wednesdays.
Father Le Tourneau
Father Le Tourneau came to St. Joseph from Daytona, Florida where he had retired. He had been involved in campus ministry at the University of Maine for many years, following which he had worked in a parish. On a doctor’s advice, he had retired to Florida where he was living with his brother. When his brother took over security at the Episcopal-Catholic Apartments in 1975, Father became an associate pastor of St. Joseph. He celebrated his 50th anniversary as a priest at St. Joseph and died December 2, 1997.
Father Eamon Tobin
One of the first tasks Father Tobin assumed when he arrived at St. Joseph in 1980 was visitation of all Catholic homes of Winter Haven. Sometimes the visits would last 15 minutes and sometimes the visit might last 2 hours, depending on the needs of those being visited. (These visits are remembered by some to this day.) Later he followed his visits by organizing other parishioners to visit the homes of inactive churchgoers. Fr. Tobin was described as being tall and lean. He had red hair and green eyes and spoke with an Irish brogue. He remarked on the deep appreciation people have for the priesthood and the value they place on the presence of a priest in their lives. He created a library in the social hall and supplied books for it. He mentioned books frequently and seemed to know the right book to give to the right person. Father Tobin directed the RCIA and the charismatic prayer group.
Return toTop
Two Ministries Introduced to the Parish at This Time.
The Charismatic Renewal began in the United States in 1957 and came to St. Joseph in 1976 with the Prayer Group led by a pastoral team of Ruth Smerzenski, Betty Vinson, Lois Williams and Ken Houser. The purpose of the group, then and now, is to meet weekly to praise and thank God, as well as offer petitions for the special needs of the group members and for the parish. New leaders have emerged over the years, but the focus remains on using the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit to energize the group members to carry the Spirit into the parish and the world. Other leaders have been Mr. and Mrs. Bob Ling. Today, the group of approximately 40 is led by Ann Luciano, Ann Shannon, Barbara Knott, Ken Houser, and Janice Slawinski.
The RCIA program began in September of 1980 with Fr. Eamon Tobin as the director. What had once been inquiry or convert classes became the Rite Of Christian Initiation for Adults. The Rite was developed in Rome seven years previously and gives people who may be curious about Catholicism but may not yet be ready for conversion, an opportunity to examine the Catholic faith. Now instead of godparents, those who decide to make a commitment to the Catholic faith are assigned a sponsor who accompanies the candidate to gradual initiation into the sacraments of the church. Sr. Margaret Mary Gilmore, SND ( Joan of Arc) initiated the Rite here and was assisted by Carleton and Mary Lou Layne. Judy Hagler, who is the present director, was another early assistant.
Sr. Margaret Mary was dubbed “the Monsignor” for her ability to coerce workers into assisting in parish activities and programs. She was also responsible for the CCD classes, which served 232 children in 1983. Sister was eventually called to Rome to serve as Assistant General of the Order. Another Sister who directed this program was Sr. Mary Katherine, SND.
Two Administrators Serve the Parish from 1982 -1983
Father Eamon Tobin
After the death of Father Smith, Father Tobin became the administrator of St. Joseph until a new pastor would be assigned. Many hoped that he would be appointed pastor, but he wrote, “Let us as individuals, as families, and as a parish community make constant intercession to the Lord that He will send us a Shepherd after His own heart.” (Jer.3: 15) In March, 1982, he instituted a parish census because no census of the parish had been made since 1969. On May 2, he presented Roselyn Quinn and Margaret De Haven with Papal Blessings for their many years of service to the parish.
Father Robert McGuire
Father McGuire was later appointed by Bishop Thomas Grady to continue to administer the parish until a permanent pastor would be appointed. In a letter in The Chronicle, Father estimated the parish to have about 1500 families with active “mainstream” Catholics numbering between 3000 to 3500. The purpose of his letter was to invite the six hundred to seven hundred families who attend church infrequently to “Come Home for Christmas.” He encouraged all who had family members or who knew of Catholics like this to encourage them to “open the door” to the church again.
Some of the Many Who Served the Parish at This Time
Alfredo de la Torre
Mr. De la Torre, who with his wife Josefina, came from Cuba, was educated by the Jesuits and earned his law degree in Cuba. He was active as a special minister of the Eucharist, an initiator of the ministry to the sick, and a member of the prayer group. Mr. de la Torre started midnight adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on First Fridays. For three years he prepared to become the first permanent deacon of St. Joseph. He was ordained in June, 1982. He died in 1996.
Sisters who assisted
Sr. M. Rita Lynn, SND became principal of St. Joseph in September of 1982 administering to 252 students. She said about her appointment, “I’ve always heard very nice things about St. Joseph. I was very happy to come here…. I’m looking forward to working in a smaller school. It should be a nice experience.” Sister remained at the school until 1988. Also new to the school at that time was Sr. Ann Michael, SND.
Sr. Therese Martin Hart (a sister of Jeanne Hart, who was at that time a member of St. Joseph’s choir) and Sr. Mildred Carey were Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary from Monroe, Michigan, familiarly known as IHM sisters. They arrived in 1978 to oversee programs for the elderly, which included home and hospital visits and special programs such as special Masses, dinners and other social events, especially for seniors.
Youth Ministry
About this time the Youth Ministry became quite active with Lin and Robert Pobjecky coordinating the activities of the young people. This very active ministry continues today under the direction of Becky Roach. This ministry provides activities: educational, spiritual, and recreational for young people of the parish from kindergarten through the 12th grade.
The Education Endowment Fund Established in 1983
Religious education has always been a priority at St. Joseph day school. Sunday school and adult education programs continued to expand as well to meet the challenge of the growing parish community. Sr. Margaret Mary Gilmore, with the St. Joseph Board of Education, saw the need for acquiring additional funds for these programs. A search committee was formed in 1983 to explore ways to supplement funding. The Education Endowment Fund was soon established. The goals of the Fund are fourfold:
1. To provide scholarships and subsidies for students in the day school.
2. To supplement operational expenses of the school and religious education programs.
3. To provide for capital improvements to the school and religious education facilities.
4. To supplement salaries of faculty and religious education personnel.
Russell Fulton was chairman of the search committee and has remained as an officer of the Fund. The Fund was incorporated in May, 1990, thus giving the Fund nonprofit status so contributions to the Fund are tax-deductible. A principal fund raiser for this endeavor has been the Golf and Tennis Classic. However the Fund is also supported by bequests and wills. For example, Robert Radmacher left the Fund more than $1 million at his death. (He also willed his home to the parish, and it is now used as a home for our parochial vicar, Fr. Mark Wegg.)
To insure the growth of the Endowment Fund, the principal is invested, and only the income earned is used to assist educational programs. Interest from the Fund has now grown to over $2 million. As always, many parishioners of St. Joseph have worked together to make the Golf and Tennis Classic a success and have helped the Fund to grow with individual contributions.
Father Sean Heslin 1984-1991
When Father Heslin moved into the rectory on Ave. M, it was a pretty dismal place. It had been built about 1920, and, according to Sophie Fleming, it had originally been a mule shed. It served not only as a rectory but as an office for the church. Although it had been remodeled over the years, it was beginning to show its age and origin. For a spot of beauty, Father planted a rose garden in front to brighten the area. Father, himself, was a brightener. An article in The Florida Catholic in 1987 describes him as “a truly nice guy.” The article quoted Father as saying, “When I finally stand before God, I hope the Lord can say to me that I treated everybody fairly. That I was the same to you whether you were rich or poor, educated or uneducated.” These words have special relevance in the light of the beating that Father suffered in his new parish at Cocoa Beach in 2002 while he attempted to counsel someone who sought his help. Father is well remembered both for his home visits and for visiting the hospital every day.
During this time a fund-raising project brought in about $700,000, and Father began adding two classrooms and offices on the east end of the school. A meeting room was added between the Julie Center and the Library. A new ceiling was added to the church and the pews were refinished. The parking lot was increased, improved, and gated.
Return toTop
Father’s largest building project was the Family Life Center built across from the school on Ave. M. Bob Bagby, a parishioner, was the contractor. Currently, many events are designated as being behind one of the three doors of this building. Door #1 leads to the parish offices, where there is space for all the offices and activities that are necessary to keep the parish running efficiently. Door #2 opened for several years to the site for daily Mass as well as other meetings later in the day, particularly for events which use the convenient kitchen. Several parish organizations such as RCIA, Cursillo, and the youth group meet regularly behind door #3.
On a smaller scale, Father oversaw the construction of some unusual and challenging playground equipment for the school. George Mailly, a Winter Haven psychologist, designed the equipment. Total cost for building would have been $25,000, but because parents and other parishioners pitched in to help with the construction, the cost was only $7,000. In Feb. 1986, the gym equipment was blessed by Father William Newmann and later “christened” with water balloons.
When Winter Haven churches suffered from a rash of fires around 1990, St. Joseph was not spared, but the damage was slight. The fire was started on a counter in the Family Life Center while it was being built. The fire was quickly contained.
Although there were some 46 ministries, activities, and community affairs listed in a handbook produced at this time, Father felt that he wanted to be involved with another spiritual ministry and presented to the parish council a plan for introducing the Stephen Ministry. The purpose of the ministry is to give support and consolation to those suffering emotional, spiritual, or physical troubles. It is described as “Christ caring for people through people.” Father and three others participated in a weeklong training program in Orlando to begin the program. Some 31 parishioners were trained as Stephen Ministers in a 52 hour training program with the help of Grace Lutheran Church.
Those Who Assisted Father Heslin
Father William Neumann
Father Neumann, who is now pastor of Our Lady of the Springs in Ocala He brought a special sense of joy to his work in the parish. He ended each Mass with a recitation of the prayer, “Hail Holy Queen.” Shortly after he received a new assignment, he told parishioners that he said the prayer for his previous parishioners. At his new assignment, he would be saying the prayer for the people of St. Joseph.
The Chapel and Celtic Cross
Father Stephen Olds
Father Olds later went to Rome for intensive training in theology. Fr. Olds is now on the faculty of St. Vincent de Paul Seminary in Boynton Beach. Father is remembered not only for his uplifting sermons, but also for the fact that each Sunday, he recited the gospel from memory. Father Olds has a wonderful singing voice and sometimes returns to Winter Haven to sing in the Messiah performed at Beymer Memorial United Methodist.
Father Matthew Mello
Father Mello helped at St. Joseph for a short time while he also worked at Santa Fe High School. He is remembered for his ability to give amusing and enjoyable impressions of famous people like the president and the Pope. He enlivened the birthday celebration given for Fr. Anderson’s 80th birthday with these impressions.
Father Joseph Pinchock
Father Pinchock is now pastor at St. John the Baptist in Dunnellon. Father Pinchock, who remained as assistant to Father Anthony Bluett, created special displays surrounding the altar to commemorate liturgical events, and he encouraged parishioners to wear the colors of the season, particularly for Lent and Advent. He celebrated his 25th anniversary of ordination here surrounded by his mother, father, sister, friends and parishioners.
Deacons
Edwin Maddex, who had been working with the parish on financial matters, was ordained a permanent Deacon and was able to offer the parish support with spiritual functions as well. Deacon Maddex died in February, 1998.
James Zowinski and his wife, Rosemary, moved from Ft. Pierce to Winter Haven in about 1987. Their young daughter, wife of Dr. James Martin was dying of cancer, and they moved to help care for the children after her death. Deacon Zowinski served here until 1993 when they returned to Ft. Pierce. Deacon Zowinski has since retired because of his health.
Sisters at This Time
A number of Sisters worked in the school during this period. Principals of the school were Sr. Rita Lynn, SND followed by Sr. Roseanna SND and Sr. Jean Rene. Others in the school were Srs. Patricia Sipan, Helen Chasar and Ellen Beebe, all Notre Dame sisters. Sr. Mary Katherine, also a Notre Dame sister, was in charge of the RCIA and other religious education programs. Sr. Therese Hart, IHM continued her work with the elderly and was joined by Sr. Eileen Markey, IHM and Sr. Gloria Glinski, IHM.
Father Heslin remarked, “We’ve seen a tremendous involvement of the laity in all kinds of ministries.” This is necessary because the congregation had grown from the original 12 families to number some 1600 permanent families and swelled to twice that size in winter. At that time, St. Joseph, with 4000 members, was the largest congregation of any denomination in Polk County.
Return toTop
Father Anthony Bluett 1991 - to present 2003
Father Bluett followed Father Heslin in shepherding St. Joseph. He quickly decided that the third rectory built in the ’20s, which had originally served as a kind of stable, needed to be demolished. He found a residence north of Lake Alfred and moved there. Soon he decided that the rectory, convent, and house behind the convent should be torn down, and the land behind these buildings purchased so that, ultimately, a beautiful chapel could be built.
But first, Father turned his attention to the school because of burgeoning enrollment. The school, which now enrolls almost 500, was increased in three phases. The first phase was in 1994, the second in 1996, and the last in 2001. In 1998 a much-needed gymnasium was completed. All of these additions cost $1,334,646. In 1997 Father launched a fund drive that generated $1,173,456. Now, it was possible to begin construction of the new chapel designed by Figbar Architects and completed by Crossroads Construction in 1999.
At the top of the entrance to the chapel is an unusual cross donated by St. Joseph’s Guild. According to Jose E. Barbosa, the architect, the cross is a Latin cross with a superimposed image of a four-leaf clover. (The Latin Cross was in use before Charlemagne.) Vertically the cross represents the division between heaven and earth and horizontally the division of good and evil. The clover represents the four Evangelists and the four cardinal points where the Gospel has been preached. Certainly, also this cross honors the thirteen Irish priests who have served St. Joseph so well for so many years.
The chapel, its furnishings, comfortable seating, and striking stained glass windows cost almost $511,338. The property purchased and houses demolished, both for the chapel and the enlarged paved parking lots, cost even more. Property along Spring Lake Court was purchased to enlarge and pave the new church parking area. Meanwhile, Father has also improved the existing buildings with paint and refurbishing. A total of $4 million was spent on all these improvements. With all of this, the parish carries no debt, a truly remarkable achievement.
Father Bluett celebrated his 25th jubilee as a priest with the parish in June, 1994. His four brothers who are priests were here to celebrate with him as well as other members of his family. (One of Father‘s brothers serves in Scotland, another in England, and one in Florida.) Mass was con-celebrated, and at the reception following, Father was given tickets to the World Soccer games in California among other gifts from the parishioners.
With the major building projects completed Father turned his attention to charitable projects. First, in 2000, he involved parishioners in building a house for Habitat for Humanity. The house, built with the help of the Haitian family, who now live there, is located on Ave. K NE and cost $32,000. College students with Father Paul from Loyola University also assisted with the building for one week. The students were housed in the school and the gym. Parishioners, organized by Jackie and Ray O’Connell, provided food and recreation for the hungry workers. Work continued on weekends for three months. Next, Father saw the need for a house for a large family who could not afford housing. Asking for and receiving parishioners’ approval, Father purchased a house and the family is settled with affordable mortgage payments.
Father, who returns for a vacation with his family in Ireland each year, invites a priest from Ireland to assist in his absence. Father Liam Walsh was the first. In the past three years, Father Barry Horan has assisted during Father’s absence. For the past five years, Father Bluett has been devoting a week of his vacation to assisting with a large pilgrimage to Lourdes from England. He has shared his inspirational experiences at Lourdes with several parish organizations.
One of Father’s delightful gifts to the parish is his traditional singing of “Mary’s Boy Child” at all Christmas Masses. For variety, one Christmas, he sang another hymn which was appreciated, but requests came in for him to return to his first choice. One parishioner who had moved came back at Christmas expressly to hear him sing this hymn.
In the past two years, there have been 118 baptisms in the church, 60 confirmations 109 First Communions, 19 participating in the RCIA program, and 34 weddings. As the parishioners have aged there have been 168 funerals, and 814 anointed. With all this, Father still finds some time for golf occasionally.
Some Who Have Worked with Father Bluett
As mentioned, Father Steve Olds was the first assistant, followed by Joe Pinchott. Although the parish was without an assistant for a short time, Father Frank Goodman and Father Leo Hammerl assisted with daily Mass. Father Leo is retired from parish work in Tonawanda, NY and spends his winters here.
Our new parochial vicar is Father Mark Wegg, a charismatic priest, who was ordained in New Jersey in 1987. Father brings a spirit of humor as well as enlightenment, not only to his sermons, but also in the special dramatic presentations he has made for groups like the RCIA and the Women’s Guild. One Sunday, with Fr. Barry Horan, in a dramatic presentation, he focused parishioners’ attention on our recitation of the Our Father. Father spends many hours each week ministering to the sick. Father was incarnated to the Orlando diocese in May, 2003.
St. Joseph is also currently blessed with two Deacons, Nuoc Van Dang and John Landry. Deacon Van Dang has been a member of St. Joseph parish since 1975 after he left Vietnam with $25 to support his wife and child. St. Joseph Church helped many Vietnamese find shelter, food, and clothing. He was ordained as a Deacon 11 years ago, and he is especially active with the large Vietnamese community, which meets regularly for support, social activities, and spiritual growth. He said, “Religion and family spirit are very important to us.”
Deacon Landry came to St. Joseph from Moline, Illinois in 2000. He was ordained 25 years ago in Peoria, Illinois.
For several years, Robert Ference was responsible for many of the lay ministries.
For example, the eucharistic ministers to the sick now take communion weekly to more than 160 who are in the hospitals or unable to attend Mass. George Bronson now coordinates the lay ministers and their visits. Mary Hession currently works with all the lay ministeries which are listed at the end of this history. Judy Hagler works with a team to prepare those in the RCIA program. Becky Roach administers the varied and active youth programs.
St. Joseph School Today
Sr. Jean Rene, SND, was principal of the school from 1993-1997. Now Angela M. Coombs is principal overseeing the education of about 500 students. As of 2002 an assistant principal was added. Double classes are needed for grades 1-8 and kindergarten. There is only one class of pre-kindergarten. Of the 37 faculty and staff members, 10 hold Master’s Degrees and all are certified by the Florida Department of Education. Sr. Ellen Beebe, the only Notre Dame Sister remaining here, is in charge of the school music program with a junior and senior choir. Tuition has understandably risen from the original $10 to $250 monthly, with adjustments when several from one family are enrolled. Father Bluett is commited to paying the teachers 100 percent of the county salary while still keeping the tuition one of the lowest in the Orlando Diocese.
The school is now networked to keep pace with current technology. It has a web page, www.polkschools, and the library is completely automated. A butterfly garden grows in front of the gymnasium, and a prayer garden for quiet reflection and prayers is planned. A sports program includes competitive basketball, soccer, volleyball on both the junior and varsity level. Students practice in the air conditioned gymnasium. Track with cheerleaders round out the sports program.
A Booster Club was added in 2002 to support the athletic program. The school is also supported by an active PTO, a hospitality committee and a room mothers organization.
The school is fully accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference, and students exceed state standards in national testing. The students frequently achieve honors in state and local competitions, particularly in science. Many students graduate with credit in algebra and credit in Spanish if they pass the high school placement test. In addition to the required curriculum students also have instruction in music, physical education, library, and computer.
The Organists
After playing the organ at St. Joseph for 27 years, Mildred Hrezo retired in 1994. She had never missed playing at Mass in all those years, even when she had a broken foot. This meant playing at 212 Masses a year. In addition to that, she had played at 422 weddings and 590 funerals. Over the years, she adjusted to the individual styles and musical preferences of 21 different priests. While she was organist, she also worked as a registered nurse at Winter Haven Hospital and raised six children.
Today our organist is Jitka Cinibulk, who came to St. Joseph from the Czech Republic, where she returns for a visit each year. She had been an organist in Baltimore previously. While in Baltimore, she had become a citizen of the U.S. Jitka oversees and directs the Children’s, the Cantabile, Bell, and Contemporary Choirs.
Catholic Charities
Not actually a parish organization, but very much a part of parish life is the Catholic Charities, originally called Catholic Social Services. This service opened at St. Joseph for Winter Haven in 1976. Before that, the program was administered from Lakeland. Ron Horsley, who has a Master’s degree in Social Work, was in charge. About half of Ron’s time was spend in counseling married couples, unwed mothers and those needing help with adoptions. He reported that about 40 percent of those seeking counseling were non-Catholic.
In addition to counseling, those suffering material hardships were assisted or perhaps referred to other agencies. Sometimes the program worked with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, A program originally overseen by Social Services was the Fellowship Dining Program for retirees 60 years or older. In Polk County the program provided 800 meals a day at two sites in Winter Haven. Meals on Wheels was also administered by Catholic Social Services at that time and supplied more than 100 meals a day.
Ron also was involved with the Good Shepherd Hospice program. He designed an eight-week course and trained the first 25 volunteer workers for Hospice.
Pam Powers and Ginny Wolf would later administer the program. Today, Anne Winkler manages the program, now called Catholic Charities. Now, the program focuses primarily on the material needs of those who visit the office. Parishioners assist in keeping the food shelves stocked, and provide plentiful gifts for the Christmas by fulfilling requests on the gift-giving Christmas Tree. Anne is assisted by Carolyn Schmidt, receptionist. Those asking for assistance must provide identification and evidence of need. Some of the 400-500 who visit or call each month need financial help paying utility bills or covering a mortgage payment. Others need food, prescriptions, diapers, or toiletries. The Thanksgiving and Christmas food and gift programs bring happiness to many families. Still others are assisted in finding help through other agencies; for example, counseling is now handled in the Lakeland office, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society still assists.
Vocations from the Parish
In addition to Fr. Frank Goodman, others have contributed years of their lives to special service in religious life.
The Sisters
First, of course, is Bridgett Mary Bannon, who became Sr. Mary St. Anthony, SSJ of St. Augustine. Sr. St. Anthony is the daughter of the first Catholics in Polk County. She celebrated her 50th anniversary with the St. Joseph sisters in 1975.
Julie Smith was a convert. Longtime parishioner, Rita Smith, was her godmother. Later she took her final vows as a sister of Notre Dame in 1977, taking the name of Sr. Mary St. Julie. Sr. Julie is now living and working in St. Petersburg. Rita Smith is still in touch with her.
Charlotte Ott, who was counseled by Father Anderson in the early 1960‘s, entered a Carmelite monastery in Pennsylvania. Her parents, who had a home and business in Winter Haven, lived in Ohio part of the year.
The Priests
Glen Charest, who attended St. Joseph and Santa Fe School, originally intended to join the Vincentian Fathers, but later in 1977 was ordained to the priesthood for the Orlando Diocese. Fr. Charest has served as an associate pastor, and as a campus minister at Stetson in Deland and worked with the migrant ministry. After transferring to the Diocese of Richmond, Virginia, Fr. Charest served as an associate pastor and a pastor of two different parishes while working in the campus ministry at Roanoke College. Suffering from burn-out, he participated in a three-month retreat in 1986 and determined not to return to active ministry. He is now a realtor in the Pittsburgh area.
Three young men were Boys Scouts together, and then entered the priesthood for a time. One was Richard Pobjecky, son of Katherine, brother of Robert, who worked with the youth ministry here. Richard first joined the Carthusians in 1961 at the La Grande Chartreuse, a 17th century monastery. He was ordained in France in June 1969. Later in 1972, he returned to the Orlando Diocese. He has been serving as an Anglican priest in Titusville for over 25 years.
Patrick Dennis Keefe, grandson of W. H. Keefe, one of founders of the parish, was the son of Joe and Grace Mary Keefe. His first Mass was said in the catacomb of St. Priscilla in Rome.
Gerry Richardville was the third of the former Boy Scouts to be ordained.
Return toTop
