History

A Brief History of Our Parish

St. Paul Catholic Church’s humble beginning was in 1963 with 12 families gathering at a Carrollwood School for their first Mass. Below are some highlights of the incredible endeavors that have occurred in our 60 years as a spiritual home to a growing parish family:

  • St. Paul Catholic Church in Tampa began as a mission of St. Lawrence Church in 1963. The Ladies Guild, which later evolved into our current Council of Catholic Women (CCW), was also established in 1963.
  • The parish was officially erected on April 12, 1966. Father John F. Lima, M.M., became our first pastor. He celebrated the groundbreaking for our church at Dale Mabry and Stall Road in 1969, and the dedication of St. Paul Catholic Church in 1970.
  • Father Austin Mullen was welcomed as our second pastor in 1973. Through his efforts, our Parish Center was completed and dedicated in 1979.
  • St. Paul Catholic Preschool (also known as St. Paul Child Enrichment Center) was founded in 1980. In 1982, “To Become a Christ-Centered Family” was established as its goal and mission statement.
  • In September 1986, the St. Paul Chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society was founded.
  • A major milestone was reached in 1990 when the first Mass was held in the new church, which seated 880 parishioners.
  • The Amor de Jesús Prayer Group was established in April 1990.
  • The St. Paul Knights of Columbus Council 11211 was established in November 1993.
  • In 1996, we said goodbye to Father Austin, our pastor of 23 years, and welcomed Monsignor John F. Neff as our new pastor. During his tenure, construction and renovation of the Parish Center were completed; several parishioners were ordained as permanent deacons; and a new computer network was installed. The stpaulchurch.com domain was established, and our first website was created. Monsignor Neff retired as pastor of St. Paul in 2002.
  • Father Len Piotrowski became our fourth pastor in 2002. The first Mass in the Portuguese language, serving our Brazilian community, was celebrated in 2003.
  • In 2010, St. Paul became home to the Santo Niño Shrine, located beside the church and constructed and maintained by our Filipino community. From 2011 to 2012, our sanctuary underwent a renovation, creating a tranquil and symbolic worship space.
  • We grew from the original 12 families to over 5,200 families by 2012.
  • Our church grounds provide places of solitude and beauty, including the “Peace Path,” which begins at the Santo Niño Shrine, the Rosary and Butterfly Gardens on campus, and a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus located at the outdoor Stations of the Cross—made possible in part through an Eagle Scout project.
  • Father Bill Swengros returned to St. Paul, this time as pastor, in 2014.
  • The SOS (Human Trafficking Ministry) and the Respect Life Ministry were established in 2014.
  • In 2015, numerous capital projects began to renovate and update our buildings and grounds, including the construction of a new nursery, Family Room, choir room, and major acoustical improvements in the main church to enhance our liturgies and music.
  • In the spring of 2017, a 15-foot-high crucifix was erected in the Marian Shrine.
  • In the fall of 2017, the first of four shrines, Our Lady of Good Health, was dedicated. That same year, the Padre Pio Shrine was erected along the Peace Path.
  • In 2018, our grounds were further enhanced with two additional shrines: Our Lady of Aparecida and Our Lady of La Leche. The Our Lady of Grace Shrine was also erected along the Peace Path.
  • Also in 2018, a courtyard connecting the three buildings was redesigned to create an outdoor living space for fellowship, meetings, and social events. Additionally, the Our Lady Queen of the Apostles statue was installed on our campus.
  • On March 22, 2020, our parish broadcast its first live-streamed Sunday Mass from the church via Facebook.
  • On July 1, 2022, Father Craig Morley was appointed the sixth pastor of St. Paul Catholic Church.
  • In 2023, our parish surpassed 7,000 registered families.
  • St. Paul Catholic Church celebrated its 60th Diamond Anniversary on April 12, 2026, with a special 5:30 p.m. Mass followed by a commemorative dinner in the Family Center.