ST. PHILIP NERI PARISH IN MIAMI
CELEBRATES 5Oth JUBILEE
On the weekend of May 24-25, 2003, the parish community of St. Philip Neri in Opa Locka, Florida, Archdiocese of Miami, celebrated its 50th jubilee. On Saturday, the 24th, there was a festive banquet. On Sunday, the 25th, the eve of the Feast of St. Philip Neri, the Archbishop of Miami, John Clement Favalora, along with several former pastors and visiting Oblates, concelebrated Mass with the parish.
The history of St. Philip Neri began in Miami in the early 1940’s, with the establishment of St. Mary’s Mission in Overtown. Miami’s first all Black Catholic church was placed under the title and patronage of St. Francis Xavier. In 1951, an outreach mission of St. Francis began in the new residential development known as Bunche Park. For the first few years, Mass was celebrated in a vacant store in the Bunche Park Shopping Center and in various homes.
In 1952, the congregation welcomed its first full-time pastor, the late Monsignor Joseph DeVaney. Under his leadership, the community built the present church building, in use for worship since September, 1953.
On February 28, 1954, Archbishop Joseph T. Hurley dedicated the present Spanish-style structure with its distinctive bell tower and placed the congregation under the patronage of St. Philip Neri.
For many years, the parish operated as a Mission under the direction of the pastors of Holy Redeemer Parish. By 1970, a rectory was built adjacent to the church, and the first resident priest moved in.
Since 1991, the parish has been in the care of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Fr. Steve Conserva was the first Oblate pastor.
In
September, 1993, Fr. John Madigan, OMI, became pastor. He continues
to serve at this time.
St. Philip Neri, along with its “Sister Black Catholic Churches” (also under the care of the Oblates) plan and participate in a week-long revival each year. This annual activity rivals the up-lifting, spiritual revival atmosphere of the neighboring Protestant Churches.