St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church at 3331 N.E. 10th Terrace, Pompano Beach , FL 33064 US - History of the Parish

    Fr. McAtavey celebrated Sunday Liturgies at McFaddens Restaurant (which no longer exists) and at a skating rink, and that year the first choir was formed by Amelia Lambo.  Soon CCD classes were formed by Ann Morris, Marie Puleo, Shirley Meredith and Rosa Stark, to name a few of the teachers.

    On August 4, 1960, the cornerstone was laid for a church, which now serves as the Parish hall.  The church was dedicated in November 1960, with a seating capacity of 900.   Soon active ministries were formed such as St. Elizabeth Guild, CCD, Holy Name Society and Sacristans were named.

    In 1962, ground was blessed for a new school, and the school was completed in 1964. Original enrollment was approximately 200 and was staffed by Dominican nuns, with  Sister Claire Daniels as the first Principal.

      The present St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church was dedicated by the late Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy on February 18, 1990. IWe are currently celebrating our Jubilee year as a faith community.

   The  Pastors who followed  Fr. McAtavey are:  Fr. Matthew Morgan who came in 1964; Fr Timothy Carr was appointed Pastor until his death on Good Friday, April 1, 1973; Fr. Frank McCann followed in 1973 and served until his retirement in 1983, when Fr. Seamus Doyle became Pastor.  Msgr. John Glorie served as Pastor from September 1991, until  his retirement June 30, 2001.

     In July of 2001, Fr. Gabriel Vigues became pastor.  He is the first Cuban born pastor of the parish and since the parish is a mosaic of different cultures and races, his leadership is well embraced.  The parish has an on-going renovation and expansion project to accommodate the current membership of 1600.

    Under Fr. Gabriel’s guidance, the school enrollment has increased; more new Ministries have been added;  Parishioners participate more actively in parish affairs; the Campus grounds are more beautiful, reflecting many  improvements; and Parishioners express their sense of his compassion for everyone, and his desire to make St. Elizabeth’s a  better place. 

       Fr. Gabriel likes to say that “St. Elizabeth’s parish is the best kept secret in Broward County.”