History - Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Family

Our History

1950’s

While visiting Europe, Father William DuBois, a young American priest, found inspiration in the story of Bernadette and had the opportunity to pilgrimage to Lourdes, celebrating his great devotion to Our Lady.

Spring 1957

After having determined the need for a Catholic Church in Dunedin, Father DuBois was given permission by Archbishop Hurley and the Diocese of St. Augustine to construct a church on 34 acres of land that belonged to the Diocese.

December 8, 1957

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, with Father DuBois as pastor, celebrated the first Catholic Mass in Dunedin on the stage of the Palms Theater. The dining room of the Jersey House Hotel was used for daily Masses, CCD classes, and various church group meetings.

December 7, 1958

Construction was completed on Our Lady of Lourdes Church and Social Hall and they were dedicated and blessed by Archbishop Hurley. The OLL community of 600+ parishioners finally had a home.

September 1962

Our Lady of Lourdes School was completed and opened with 72 students in grades K-4. Grades 5-8 were added over the next four years.

1968

Our Lady of Lourdes officially entered the newly established Diocese of St. Petersburg, headed by Bishop Charles B. McLaughlin.

September 25, 1977

Construction was completed on a new, large, permanent church and Archbishop McLaughlin dedicated and blessed the finished church. The “old, provisional” church was then used for school and CCD classrooms, as well as for parish staff.

December 1986

A permanent rectory was completed on the church grounds for the priests’ residence.

February 1991

The DuBois Center was completed and dedicated as a multi-purpose facility and base of operations for staff and other parish administrators.

April 2004

The multi-functional Conmy Center, a special events building, was completed and dedicated. The new activities center would coordinate everything from sporting events and performing arts for the school to community events and local concerts.