St. Petersburg in Pinellas County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

St. Mary, Our Lady of Grace Church

Established 1908

— Oldest Catholic Church in the City of St. Petersburg —

St. Mary, Our Lady of Grace Church Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Fr. Len Plazewski, February 24, 2011

1. St. Mary, Our Lady of Grace Church Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Initially served by the Jesuits from Sacred Heart in Tampa, a small wood-frame chapel named “St. Mary” was built at the northwest corner of Sixth Street and Fifth Avenue South in 1908. By 1913, a new and larger brick church was constructed at Fourth Street and Third Avenue South. The present landmark church was built in 1929 on land from the estate of General John Williams. Inspired by the basilica of Santo Stefano Rotundo in Rome, architect Henry Taylor decided to build St. Mary’s in an octagonal shape, which represents the Day of the Resurrection. The church is Byzantine in style with Romanesque features that include numerous balconies and grand archways imbedded with various Christian symbols. The magnificent Italian and German stained glass windows and impressive altar canopy help raise the worshippers’ thoughts to God. Since 1988, the parish has been served by the Franciscan Friars T.O.R.

Erected 2011 by Diocese of St. Petersburg.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.

Location.

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27° 45.935′ N, 82° 38.317′ W. Marker is in St. Petersburg, Florida, in Pinellas County. Marker is at the intersection of Dali Boulevard (5th Avenue South) and Fourth Street South, on the right when traveling east on Dali Boulevard (5th Avenue South). Marker is on a brick wall on street level in front of church on the steps leading from the sidewalk up to the main entrance of the church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 515 4th Street South, Saint Petersburg FL 33701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. S. H. Kress and Co. Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); Votes for Women (approx. 0.4 miles away); Our Heroes of the World War (approx. half a mile away); World Record (approx. half a mile away); Pinellas County Veterans Memorial (approx. half a mile away); The United States Veterans Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Pioneer Park (approx. half a mile away); Demens Landing (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Petersburg.

Also see . . . St. Mary Our Lady of Grace Church. (Submitted on February 25, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

Photographed By Fr. Len Plazewski, February 24, 2011

2. St. Mary, Our Lady of Grace Church Marker

Photographed By Michael C. Wilcox, September 19, 2016

3. St. Mary, Our Lady of Grace Church Marker

Photographed By Michael C. Wilcox, September 19, 2016

4. St. Mary, Our Lady of Grace Church Marker

St. Mary, Our Lady of Grace Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael C. Wilcox, September 19, 2016

5. St. Mary, Our Lady of Grace Church

Photographed By Fr. Len Plazewski, January 12, 2010

6. St. Mary, Our Lady of Grace Church

St. Mary, Our Lady of Grace Church (Main Altar) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Fr. Len Plazewski, January 12, 2010

7. St. Mary, Our Lady of Grace Church (Main Altar)

Interior of St. Mary, Our Lady of Grace Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Fr. Len Plazewski, January 12, 2010

8. Interior of St. Mary, Our Lady of Grace Church

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 24, 2011, by Fr. Len Plazewski of Tampa, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,290 times since then and 156 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 24, 2011, by Fr. Len Plazewski of Tampa, Florida. 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 8, 2016, by Michael C. Wilcox of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 6, 7, 8. submitted on February 24, 2011, by Fr. Len Plazewski of Tampa, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.