Palm Bay in Brevard County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
First Roman Catholic Church in Brevard County
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, June 16, 2021
1. First Roman Catholic Church in Brevard County Marker
n the early twentieth century, the North Dakota-based Florida Indian River Catholic Colony corporation advertised it was starting a Catholic community in central Florida. By 1914, the land company helped settle nearly 100 midwestern families, mostly of German and Slavic descent, in the area of Tillman, situated on the banks of the Indian River and Turkey Creek. During this time, Brevard County did not have a resident Catholic priest and services were administrated by clergy who traveled among rural communities. The corporation failed to deliver on a promise to build a proper church, so the parish members built one themselves. Bishop Michael J. Curley dedicated the church in 1914. Following the ceremony, 78 local children received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Named St. Joseph's, the church served the nearby communities of Melbourne and Eau Gallie. Residents traveled by wagon or boat to attend services. In 1923, a rectory was built and the church's first resident priest arrived a year later. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987, St. Joseph's Church of Palm Bay is the oldest Catholic Church in continuous use in Brevard
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Erected 2018 by Brevard County Historical Commission, Brevard County Tourism Development Council, and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-1037.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.
Location. 28° 2.027′ N, 80° 35.174′ W. Marker is in Palm Bay, Florida, in Brevard County. Marker is at the intersection of Northeast Miller Street and Pollack Avenue Northeast, on the right when traveling south on Northeast Miller Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1422 Northeast Miller Street, Palm Bay FL 32905, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Old Melbourne Beach Town Hall (approx. 2˝ miles away); Union Cypress Sawmill (approx. 2˝ miles away); Billy Wallace House (approx. 2.6 miles away); Melbourne Beach Pier (approx. 2.7 miles away); Melbourne & Atlantic Railroad (approx. 2.7 miles away); The Villa Marine (approx. 2.7 miles away); The Ryckman House (approx. 2.7 miles away); Community Chapel of Melbourne Beach Florida (approx. 2.8 miles away).
Also see . . . St. Joseph History. (Submitted on June 22, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.)
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, June 16, 2021
2. First Roman Catholic Church in Brevard County Marker
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, June 16, 2021
3. First Roman Catholic Church in Brevard County Marker
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, June 16, 2021
4. St James Cemetery
Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 350 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 22, 2021, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.
