FORT WALTON BEACH — To the Rev. John Licari, St. Mary Catholic Church’s 100 years in town has meant far more than attending Mass.
The congregation has grown from a handful to almost 1,300, and with it so has the church’s mission. No longer is St. Mary simply a small church on the corner of Shell Avenue and First Street; it’s a school, soup kitchen, nonprofit organization, thrift shop and food pantry.
“The significance of the 100-year anniversary is the fact that so many dedicated people gave to this because they wanted to live out the gospel, practice their faith and give a service to the community,” Licari said.
View more photos from the church's history.
In the early 1900s, a priest from Pensacola took a boat to then-Camp Walton for the holidays. It took about six hours.
A temporary pastor soon moved to Camp Walton, and with a $500 check from one member and a matching $500 check from the area’s bishop, St Mary Catholic Church opened in 1914 to about 30 people.
A second church was built in 1939 to accommodate its growing congregation. The present-day church on St. Mary Avenue behind Fort Walton Beach City Hall was built in 1972.
The school has about 400 children from kindergarten through eighth grade.
“I think the next 100 years for us will be more about refining what we’re doing now,” Licari said. “We want to emphasize education and giving. We want to feed our members spiritually and continue to be a vital part of this community.”
St. Mary will host events throughout the year to celebrate its anniversary. A gala will is scheduled for April 26 and a parish birthday party is set for Sept. 8.
“We’re here for the spiritual needs of this community. That’s why we’ve always been here,” Licari said. “We feel God’s love, and that is going to affect the community. … We’re here for the needs of the people. The love of God doesn’t stay in the walls of the church, and neither do we.”
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Angel McCurdy at 850-315-4432 or amccurdy@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @AngelMnwfdn.