Tampa in Hillsborough County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Pioneer Priests' Graves

Photographed By Fr. Len Plazewski, October 8, 2010

1. Pioneer Priests' Graves Marker

Inscription. Here lie the remains of five pioneer priests, the oldest known priests' graves on the West Coast of Florida. While little is known of Fr. Bayard who died in 1882, the Polish born Fr. Emil Stenzel was a priest of the Archdiocese of New York who served as Pastor of St. Anthony of Padua in San Antonio, Fl. from May-September 1884.

Fr. Charles Peterson, a priest of the Diocese of St. Augustine and much beloved Tampa pastor, contracted yellow fever in October 1887 and died 3 days later. Fr. Felix Swemberg quickly arrived from Orlando to provide assistance only to succumb to the disease himself within 4 days. Less than a year later, Fr. Dennis O'Sullivan, an Irish priest and former African missionary came to Tampa as pastor. 12 days later he too died of yellow fever.

The loss of a quarter of his priests to yellow fever within a year prompted Bishop Moore to bring the Jesuits back to Florida after an absence of over 300 years.

Erected 2010 by Diocese of St. Petersburg.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1887.

Location. 27° 57.308′ N, 82° 27.461′ W. Marker is in Tampa, Florida, in Hillsborough County. Marker can be

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reached from East Harrison Street. Located within St. Louis Catholic Cemetery (1874) which is adjacent to Oaklawn Cemetery (1850). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 606 East Harrison Street, Tampa FL 33602, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. C. Cecilia Morse (within shouting distance of this marker); 29 Sea Captains and Mariners (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Victims of the Yellow Fever (about 300 feet away); Kennedy (about 300 feet away); Confederate States Soldiers and Sailors (about 300 feet away); Tampa Native Americans (about 300 feet away); Fort Brooke Mass Grave (about 300 feet away); Oaklawn and St. Louis Cemetery (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tampa.

Photographed By Fr. Len Plazewski, October 16, 2010

2. Pioneer Priests' Graves Marker

St. Louis Catholic Cemetery - Site and Directional Map image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Fr. Len Plazewski, February 4, 2011

3. St. Louis Catholic Cemetery - Site and Directional Map

St. Louis Catholic Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Fr. Len Plazewski, February 4, 2011

4. St. Louis Catholic Cemetery

St. Louis Catholic Cemetery - Est. 1874 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Fr. Len Plazewski, February 4, 2011

5. St. Louis Catholic Cemetery - Est. 1874

Portion of original wall in the foreground.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 16, 2017. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2010. This page has been viewed 1,894 times since then and 43 times this year. Last updated on November 4, 2010. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 28, 2010, by Fr. Len Plazewski of Tampa, Florida. 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 5, 2011, by Fr. Len Plazewski of Tampa, Florida. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.