St. Peter Claver Parish at 1203 North Nebraska Avenue, Tampa, FL 33602 US - Our History

St. Peter Claver had its beginning in late 1893 when the Jesuits purchased an old Methodist Church on Morgan Street in Tampa.  On February 2, 1894, two members of the Sisters of the Holy Names began classes with sixteen students.

On the night of February 12, 1894, the building was burned by arsonists.  Father William Tyrell, S.J., with the help of Bishop Moore, purchased a piece of property on the corner of Scott and Governor Streets in the black community.  The school reopened in October 1894.  The quality of education was such that seven years later, students successfully passed the Teacher’s Examination and received certificates from the Board of Public Instruction.

In 1904, Mother Katharine Drexel, foundress of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, donated money from her inheritance to St. Peter Claver School, which she had visited.

In its earlier days our parish was a mission of Sacred Heart Church.  The first chapel for St. Peter Claver was set up on the second floor of the school in 1909.  The first Church was built in 1915 with a gift from Mrs. L.D. Morreil, the sister of Mother Katharine Drexel.   The Most Reverend Charles B. McLaughlin, the first Bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, dedicated the present structure on June 8, 1969.

Since its 1894 beginning, many priests, religious and laity have served our parish with great dedication.  Among those who have served are the Jesuits Fathers, the Josephite Fathers, Diocesan priests, the Sisters of the Holy Names, School Sisters of Notre Dame, Sisters of St. Chretienne, and the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine, Florida.

MISSIONARIES – ADMINISTRATORS AND PASTORS

1903 – 1913    Rev. William J. Tyrell, S.J.

1913 – 1919    Rev. L.P. White, S.J.

1919 – 1920    Rev. M.A. Grase, S.J. 

1920 – 1923    Rev. Francis X. Entz, S.J.

1923 – 1926    Rev. Fred Waymemans, S.J. 

1926 – 1929    Rev. S.J. Kelly

1929 – 1931    Rev. S.J. Ferdinand, S.S. J.    

1931 – 1938    Rev. Anthony Keil, S.S.J

1938 – 1944    Rev. Arthur Flanagan, S.S.J.     

1944 – 1946    Rev. Joseph M. Schmutz, S.S.J.

1946 – 1946    Rev. Philip Kirrane, S.S.J.   

1946 – 1951    Rev. Joseph A Szuhy, S.S.J.

1951 – 1955    Rev. James E. Fitzpatrick, S.S.J.   

1955 – 1956    Rev. James V. Clarke, S.S.J.

1956 – 1961    Rev. William J. Dodd, S.S.J.  

1961 – 1964    Rev. Timothy J. Holland, S.S.J.

1964 – 1966    Rev. John D. Lennon, S.S.J.      

1966 – 1970    Rev. Thomas G. Moore

1970 – 1971    Rev. Joseph Rimshaw, S.S.J.  

1971 – 1973    Admin. by St. Lawrence Parish, Rev. Laurence Higgins

1973 – 1979    Rev. Rocco D’Angelo

1979 – 1980    Rev. Desmond Daly

1980 – 1992    Rev. Joseph O’Keefe, O.M.I. 

1992 – 1997    Rev. Callist Nyambo

1997 - 2002     Rev. Edward Lamp 

2002                Rev. Paul Kochu