Gesu Church (Miami, Florida)

The Gesu Church is a historic Roman Catholic church in Miami, Florida. It is located at 118 Northeast 2nd Street. On July 18, 1974, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The church was built in 1896 and is the oldest Catholic Church in Miami.

Description

The Gesu Church is significant for its important role in the religious history of Miami and as a reflection of the City's growth and development. In addition, the buildings are excellent examples of religious architecture and noteworthy for the excellence of its design, craftsmanship, and detailing.

Gesu is Miami's oldest Catholic parish and has served the religious and humanitarian needs of the community for over a century. The growth of the parish closely parallels the development of the City of Miami.

Miami's first Catholic service was conducted in 1872 when Father Dufau, who had been sent to South Florida by Bishop John Marcellus Peter Augustine Verot, P.S.S. of St. Augustine, celebrated Mass and confirmed the pioneer family of William J. Wagner. Wagner constructed a small wooden church on his homestead in 1875, and this became Miami's first house of worship.

The Holy Name Parish (now Gesu) was organized in 1896 and the pastor was Father Ambrose Fontan, S.J. A new church was constructed in 1897 on land donated by Henry Flagler. As Miami's population and the Holy Name congregation expanded, the need for a larger church became evident. A cornerstone was subsequently laid on December 10, 1920, on the site of the earlier church, and the new building was dedicated in 1925. The Gesu Parish School opened in 1905 with six grades and 60 students. The original school name was The Academy of the Sisters of St. Joseph St. Catherine's Convent. The school was also known as St. Catherine's Convent School and St. Catherine's Academy. There were four graduates in the first high school graduating class of 1913. The Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine, Florida, were the teaching staff at the school.

A new five story school was built in 1926 and the name changed to Gesu Parish School. It was located at 130 Northeast 2nd Street. The last Gesu High School graduation was in 1953. There were 40 graduates in that class. The last eighth grade graduation was in 1982 when the school was closed. The school was demolished in 1984.

Gesu Church continues to serve as one of the three downtown churches and was recently restored to its original appearance. The parish has been staffed by the Jesuits of Antilles province since 2004. Previously it was staffed by the Jesuits of New Orleans province. Father Eduardo "Eddy" Alvarez, S.J. is the pastor. The church seating capacity is 700 plus 150 in choir balcony.

Leadership

Below are lists of individuals who have led the church and school since their founding.

Church Pastors

  • Rev. Ambrose Fontan, S.J. (1896–1898)
  • Rev. James Moore, S.J. (1898 [Only 4 Months])
  • Rev. Ambrose Fontan, S.J. (1898–1903)
  • Rev. Patrick Kennedy, S.J. (1903–1908)
  • Rev. Alexander B. Friend (1908–1914)
  • Rev. James McLaughlin, S.J. (1914–1929)
  • Rev. Edward Cummings, S.J. (1929–1930)
  • Rev. Michael McNally, S.J. (1930–1934)
  • Rev. Florence D. Sullivan, S.J. (1934–1945)
  • Rev. John H. McAtee, S.J. (1945–1949)
  • Rev. John Druhan, S.J. (1949–1953)
  • Rev. Harold Gaudin, S.J. (1953–1959)
  • Rev. John Sweeney, S.J. (1959–1970)
  • Rev. Michael English, S.J. (1970–1971)
  • Rev. Ignatius Fabacher, S.J. (1971–1975)
  • Rev. John Edwards, S.J. (1975–1983)
  • Rev. James Donald Pearce, S.J. (1983–1991)
  • Rev. George Casey, S.J. (1991–1993)
  • Rev. Thomas J. Madden, S.J. (1993–2002)
  • Rev. William Mayer, S.J. (2002–2004)
  • Rev. Eduardo J. Alvarez, S.J. (2004–Present)
  • Rev. James L. Lambert, S.J. Assistant Pastor (2014–Present)

Current Pastor

Rev. Eduardo J. Alvarez, S.J. (born in 1945 in Cuba) graduated from Belen Jesuit Preparatory School in 1963. He received a master of arts degree from St. Michael's College and a master's degree in education from Barry University. Prior to becoming pastor at Gesu Church, he taught at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School and was its chaplain (1975–2004).

First Sisters of St. Joseph at School

  • Sister Euphemia
  • Sister Aloysia
  • Sister Raymond

School Principals

  • Sister M. Euphemia Sullivan (1905–1909)
  • Sister Margaret Mary Hanlon (1909–1922)
  • Unknown (1922–1934)
  • Sister Francis of Assissi Byrne (Sister F. Assissium) (1934–1941)
  • Sister Francis of Assissi Byrne (Sister F. Assissium), Mother Theresa Joseph Brown (1941–1942)
  • Rev. Godfrey S. Cook, Sister M. Celestine Hehir (1942–1945)
  • Sister Mary Herbert Rogero (1945–1952)
  • Mother Theresa Joseph Brown (1952–1958)
  • Sister St. Anne Stone (1958–1961)
  • Sister Teresa Maria O'Donovan (1961–1967)
  • Sister Margaret Therese Schaufler (1967–1971)
  • Sister M. Trinita McCarthy (1971–1979)
  • Sister Mary Ester Flanagan (1979–1981)
  • Sister Breedeen Connolly (1981–1985)

References

Шаблон:Reflist

External links

Шаблон:Commons category

Listed in the following categories:
Post a comment
Tips & Hints
Arrange By:
Juan Francisco Crespo
21 July 2013
Stay after Sunday Mass for Coffee and Donuts... Cheap, plus you get to know the basement of the Church where in the Segregation days Mass was given to black folks while whites where upstairs...
Dolly Limones
10 February 2018
So beautiful inside. Mass in English and Spanish
Elizabeth
23 November 2014
Beautiful church in the heart of downtown Miami.
Bee RiHoney
11 March 2013
Beautiful n peace !!!
Jessika Gomez
23 June 2013
Demos gracias a Dios porque es bueno, porque es eterna su Misericordia!!!
Jessika Gomez
24 June 2012
Juan: Don de Dios... Sirvamos de Luz al mundo...
Load more comments
foursquare.com
8.4/10
1,822 people have been here
Map
118 NE 2nd St, Miami, FL 33132, USA Get directions
Tue Noon–1:00 PM
Wed 8:00 AM–10:00 AM
Thu 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Fri 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
Sat 10:00 AM–8:00 PM
Sun 8:00 AM–4:00 PM

Gesu Catholic Church on Foursquare

Gesu Church (Miami, Florida) on Facebook

Hotels nearby

See all hotels See all
Eurostars Langford

starting $99

Hyatt Regency Miami

starting $0

Hyatt Regency Miami

starting $157

Courtyard Miami Downtown/Brickell Area

starting $110

River Park Hotel & Suites Port of Miami

starting $61

Leamington Hotel - Downtown / Port of Miami

starting $53

Recommended sights nearby

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Central Baptist Church (Miami, Florida)

The Central Baptist Church is a historic church in Miami, Florida. It

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
The Torch of Friendship

The Torch of Friendship is a monument located on Biscayne Boulevard in

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Miami Art Museum

The Miami Art Museum (MAM) is an art museum located in Downtown Miami,

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Freedom Tower (Miami)

The Freedom Tower is a historic 1925 landmark building in Miami,

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Knight International Center

The James L. Knight Center Complex is a contemporary entertainment

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
American Airlines Arena

The American Airlines Arena is a sports and entertainment arena

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Greater Bethel AME Church

The Greater Bethel AME Church is a historic church in Miami, Florida.

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Mount Zion Baptist Church (Miami, Florida)

The Mount Zion Baptist Church is a historic church in Miami, Florida.

Similar tourist attractions

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim, Salvador

The Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim (Portuguese: Igreja de Nosso

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Basilica of Our Lady of Luján

The Basilica of Our Lady of Luján (español. Basílica de Nuestra Se

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Monserrate Sanctuary

Monserrate Sanctuary is a Catholic shrine in Bogotá, Colombia. The

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan

The Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan (español. 'Basílica de Nuestra S

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
St. Peter's Basilica

The Basilica of Saint Peter (lat. Basilica Sancti Petri), officially

See all similar places