History of St. Anne Parish-Bellview 1937-1987 "Part 6"
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On Sunday, January 17, 1964, Father John Licari celebrated Mass as he newly appointed first resident pastor of St. Anne Church in Bellview-the new parish consisted of 42 families. In order to supplement the Sunday collections which averaged $40.00 per week, a “Spring Round-Up” was held in May 1964.
It was Archbishop Toolen who challenged the parish and promised to match whatever the parish raised thinking it would be about $500.00. To his surprise, the parish raised over $3000.00 which he generously matched. As a result, the way was paved for the annual Round-Up which had become a city-wide attraction drawing as many as 200,000 people on the first weekends of October. The Round-Ups not only helped to create a debt-free parish, but has contributed much to develop a unique spirit of self-sacrificing men and women. Also, the Round-Ups had attracted hundreds of non-Catholics who worked side by side with parishioners making it truly a city-wide ecumenical project.
Over the past years since 1964, the parishioners working with their pastor have seen the seed planted by the pioneer families of 1937 grow from a small 4 acre tract with a small chapel to a 24 acre tract with a Rectory, Parish Hall, Two-story Dwelling “Venard House”, New St. Anne Church, and new Convent, and not to forget the Bellview Junction Western Town in the “backyard”.
“Highlights of St. Anne Parish-Bellview”
1964 – St. Anne Mission elevated to St. Anne Parish (Jan. 17)
First Round-Up held (May 24)
1965 – First St. Anne Rectory completed
1967 – First Confirmation Class (101 people) held outdoors in large tent – Bishop
Toolen, Diocese of Mobile
1967 - “Scarlet O’Hara Hall” renovated from a surplus Saufley Field Navy Barracks
1967 - 10 acres of adjoining land purchased for St. Anne Parish by Archbishop
Toolen
1967 – “Bellview Junction” and permanent Western Ghost Town was brought
into being and St. Anne’s Stagecoach built
1968 – St. Anne Parish became part of Diocese of St. Augustine, under Bishop Paul
F. Tanner. Rocky Marciano was first celebrity to appear at the Round-Up
1969 – Rocky Marciano’s funeral Mass said by Father Licari in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
1970 – Old Chapel renovated by parishioners, Round-Up extended to 3 days;
profits divided with Catholic High School
1971 – Round-Up outdrew newly opened Disney World 50,000 to 30,000 on
October 1, 2, &3
1975 – Father Licari said opening prayer for First Session of 94th Congress of
U.S. (Oct 23)
Bishop Rene Gracida installed as first Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee
Diocese (Nov 6)
1976 – First groundbreaking at site of new church
1977 – Second groundbreaking ceremony (April 19)
25th Anniversary of Father Licari’s priesthood; parish celebration (May 22)
New Swiss-style St. Anne Church dedicated (Dec 23) (totally paid for by
Round-Up funds)
1978 – Bishop Edward McGurkin, visiting Maryknoll missionary, dedicated 2400 lb
Marble statue of St Anne (July 26), 1000 guests present
Gazebo and Church courtyard built
1979 – Stations of the Cross dedicated by Bishop William Houck of Jackson, MS.
$8000.00 donated for an Altar in the Religious Heritage Chapel in State
Capitol in Tallahassee
1979 – Round-Up Office renovated from Rectory Garage
1980 – Gazebo in church courtyard where parishioners gather after Mass, blessed
by Bishop William Friend of Alexandria, LA
1980 - $40,000.00 given toward Catholic High School Memorial Stadium
1981 – “Grindlwald” room added to the Rectory
Archbishop Oscar Libscomb of Mobile blessed newly constructed addional
Round-Up Parking area
1982 – Two-story dwelling “Venard House” renovated and used for parish social
functions, temporary 2nd rectory, blessed by Bishop John Rudin
1983 – St. Anne’s Belltower completed, blessed by Bishop Paul F. Tanner, Diocese
of St. Augustine
Statue of Risen Christ mounted atop belltower dedicated to memory of
Rocky Marciano
Bishop J. Keith Symons installed as second Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee
Diocese (Nov 8)
1984 – Sacred Heart Shrine placed in new courtyard, dedicated by Bishop Symons
Preschool Education Program introduced at St. Anne’s
1985 – Bartley Larner donated his home and it was transported to St. Anne’s
grounds and converted into Convent.
Playground area for preschool children fenced in and playground
equipment built by parishioners
New Gazebo built in center of Round-Up Picnic area
