Our Lady Of Grace at 6 Roosevelt Blvd, Beverly Hills, FL 34465-3764 US - History

Our Lady of Grace Parish began as a Catholic mission in 1964 and has grown into community of nearly 1,500 families. Since 1970, it is in the Diocese of St. Petersburg.

Rev. James Hoge OSB founded the parish and served as its pastor several times over the years. Benedictines from St. Leo’s Abbey near San Antonio, FL served the parish until 1995. Since then priests of the Diocese of St. Petersburg have led the parish.

The late Sam Kellner, who developed the community of Beverly Hills, gave four acres to the parish. Another acre was added to create the city block upon which the church, Parish Life Center and offices now stand. The church building was dedicated on June 6, 1971. The parish life center which houses classrooms, meeting rooms, an auditorium and kitchen, was completed in 1995.

Our Lady of Grace faith community is diverse, extending a warm welcome to everyone. The majority is English-speaking. Bilingual Spanish-speaking and charismatic communities add vibrancy and warmth to the parish.

The pastor since July 2011 is Msgr. Avelino Garcia. 

Father Frank Lubowa is the parochial vicar. Father Frank is from the Diocese of Kampala in Uganda. He initially came to Our Lady of Grace Parish in May 2008 to assist with pastoral duties while studying at the St. Paul University in Ottawa.

Our Lady of Grace Parish contributes to the Diocese of St. Petersburg’s annual pastoral appeal, Pope John Paul II Catholic School in Lecanto, to a special mission in the Diocese of Buea, Cameroon, and many other charities.