Our History

The twenty-fifth chapter of the book of Leviticus summons the faithful to “count off” the first 50 years and to hallow the fiftieth year:

“You shall count off seven years, seven times seven years, so that the time of the seven weeks of years shall be to you forty-nine years. Then you shall hallow the fiftieth year. It shall be a jubilee for you.”

Leviticus 25:8,10

To “hallow” means to make holy and one of the ways we hallow the fiftieth year is by telling the story and honoring all those who give shape to the story.

The story of Corpus Christi is the story of a people bonded in faith who, for 50 years, have gathered as one body of Christ to share at the Eucharistic table, to deepen their faith, to render service to those in need and to celebrate their union in Christ.  For 50 years, Corpus Christi has been a community bustling with activity and marked by a spirit of cooperation and zeal for the Gospel.

The late ‘50s and early ‘60s saw a tremendous growth in East Hillsborough County.  In fact, Temple Terrace had become a thriving community.  Its population of 3,800 in 1960 made it the second fastest growing city in the nation.  Archbishop Joseph P. Hurley, Bishop of St. Augustine, presided over the affairs of the Church in the northern part of the state of Florida.  He was a man of great vision and determination.  Archbishop Hurley’s vision made it possible for the residents of Temple Terrace to enjoy the benefits of a new spiritual home.  At the inception of the parish, there were 260 families within its boundaries.  The Temple Terrace population has grown to include over 23,000 and today Corpus Christi parish serves 1,725 families.

Founding of CCCC

Corpus Christi was originally founded as a mission of Most Holy Redeemer Parish in Tampa in 1958.  On November 2nd of that year, the parish was canonically erected as an independent parish.  Fr. Arthur Dunnigan, a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston and an assistant pastor at Most Holy Redeemer, was directed to establish the parish.

The first Mass was actually celebrated at Most Holy Redeemer Church in February, 1958, at which 125 persons gathered to plant the seeds of what would become Corpus Christi Parish.  Soon after, pioneering parishioners gathered for Mass in the Civic Center of Temple Terrace.  A rectory and chapel were established in a converted house on Burlingame Street close to the current church property.

Earlier, in 1954, Archbishop Hurley’s vision propelled him into purchasing 18.5 acres in the heart of Temple Terrace from Basil and Mary Brook.  This land, the highest spot in Hillsborough County, was to be the site of Corpus Christi Parish and School.

Groundbreaking ceremonies for the church were held on December 6, 1959 on the site where the current church stands.  The Vicar General, Monsignor John P. McNulty, officiated.  Church construction began in January, 1960.  In September of the same year, construction of the church was completed.  Archbishop Joseph P. Hurley, Bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine, dedicated Corpus Christi Church at a noon Mass on November 6, 1960.

The events leading up to the permanent establishment of the parish were marked by tremendous involvement by parishioners from the onset.  Parishioners joined forces each week to prepare for Mass at the Civic Center.  Joseph Cappalino, the first mayor of Temple Terrace, built a portable altar and John King, a charter member of the parish, set it up each Sunday.  Lucille Marshall, also a charter member of the parish community, hand embroidered Baptismal bibs for every child who was baptized in the new parish.  She continued this practice for 22 years and others carry on until today.

From the beginning, the charter members of the parish who gathered for Mass at the Civic Center had an incredible drive to build a church.  According to Norma Gonzalez, who joined the parish 50 years ago, Fr. Dunnigan would challenge parishioners by telling them that all the protestant faiths in Temple Terrace had churches and the Catholics did not.  Fr. Dunnigan and those first men and women with faith, love and determination, planted a tiny seed in Temple Terrace that has grown to embrace thousands of faithful people over 50 years.

Parish School

ESTABLISHED

Under the leadership of Corpus Christi’s second parish administrator, Father John Lawler, construction of the parish school began.  The fulfillment of the vision of educating the children of northeast Hillsborough County came to fruition in 1964 when the school opened its doors to 96 children in grades one through four.  The first principal, Mrs. Carl L. Binger, led a lay staff in serving the children and families of Corpus Christi Catholic School.

Impact of Vatican II

Soon after the founding of the parish, in 1962, Pope John XXIII convened the Second Vatican Council, the 21st ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church.  Unlike previous ecumenical councils, the Second Vatican Council was not held to combat heresy or deal with awkward questions in the Church. In the words of Pope John Paul II, the 2nd Vatican Council was held to renew “ourselves and the flocks committed to us, so that they may radiate before all men the lovable features of Jesus Christ, who shines in our hearts that God’s splendor may be revealed.”  The Council made a deliberate attempt to renew and bring up to date (aggiornamento) all facets of faith and life.  This Council would become the symbol of the Church’s readiness to acknowledge the circumstances of the modern world.

At the Council’s closing in 1965, it became clear to the faithful that its decisions, especially those regarding liturgy, would affect their lives.  At Corpus Christi, the responsibility of implementing many of the liturgical reforms fell to Fr. Brendan Lawlor, who became parish administrator in 1964.  It was during Fr. Lawlor’s tenure that the Mass was celebrated in English for the first time with the priest facing the congregation.

The years that immediately followed the implementation of the changes brought by Vatican II were trying ones for the Church.  The time was also marked by great social upheaval across the country.  It was a time of questioning and turbulence.  The local scene at Corpus Christi reflected these difficulties as well.  The parish experienced a rapid succession of personnel which added to the difficulties.  Fathers Ned Condron, Joseph Moran, Joseph Wiseman and Frank Mouch all served the parish during a brief period.

Vatican II opened the doors for lay involvement in the Church in many ways.  Following the Council, active lay participation in the liturgy grew.  Long time parishioner Ralph Barthle remembers that he felt deeply honored when he became one of the first “commentators” at Mass at Corpus Christi.  He recalls, “I felt so awed and humbled to be so close and a part of the celebration of the Eucharist.”

School Thrives, Sisters Join Staff

The school continued to thrive and, in 1965, its first kindergarten class began.  The school population grew to include 151 students in kindergarten through grade five.  In 1966, four School Sisters of Notre Dame from Baltimore, Maryland, arrived to administer and teach in Corpus Christi Catholic School.  Sister Thecla Marie was the principal.  Sr. Mary Zetta arrived in 1967 to teach fifth grade and become the school’s third principal.  Sr. Zetta remained as principal for 10 years, the longest tenure by a principal to date in the school’s history.  Carol Pollock, a long time school employee who worked with Sr. Zetta, fondly remembers her as “an example of Jesus’ message in her caring approach with children and in her supportive role as leader of the school.”

New Diocese Brings First Pastor

As the Catholic population of Florida grew, a new diocese, the Diocese of St. Petersburg, was created along the West Coast of Florida in 1968.  This brought more changes to the local churches.  In 1970, Fr. Jerome Carosella was the first priest officially appointed as “pastor” of Corpus Christi.  Under his leadership, the parish continued to grow.  It was also during Fr. Carosella’s pastorate that a second classroom building was constructed and the school was expanded to include eight grades.

Longtime sacristan Dorothy Adams took on the responsibilities of the sacristy during Fr. Carosella’s pastorate.  Ms. Adams, a convert, fondly remembers Father teaching her the basics of sacristy work.  She found him to be “a sweet, patient and compassionate man.”

Provisional Church Expanded

Thought of as quite charismatic by Corpus Christi parishioners, Fr. Nicholas McLoughlin became Corpus Christi’s second pastor in 1973.  Fr. McLoughlin had a very busy and productive nine years as pastor.  His leadership initiated and brought to completion the construction of a new parish and media center and the expansion of the parking lot to accommodate 500 cars.  It was during this time, in 1979, that the provisional church was renovated. Seating capacity was expanded, the sanctuary was reordered and stained glass windows and other enhancements were added.

There were many changes in the location of the rectory over the years.  From the original location on South Burlingame, it was moved to Holland Avenue, then to 102 Glen Ridge in the late ‘60s. Eventually, the priests moved into the old convent at 302 Glen Ridge and 102 Glen Ridge was converted to accommodate all parish offices.  These offices remained there until the new building was constructed adjacent to the Church.

Fr. McLoughlin also tried to build a retirement residence for middle income elderly on the property adjacent to the parish, owned by the Diocese, which is now Little League ballparks.  The initiative failed due to the opposition posed by neighboring residents and the city of Temple Terrace.

’80s Marks Roots of Cultural Diversity

Corpus Christi’s distinctive cultural diversity began to blossom in the early ‘80s when a Spanish Mass was added to the schedule to serve the parish’s growing Hispanic population.  The parish also became involved in the resettlement of Vietnamese families.  Later, Bishop Thomas Larkin, the second bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, called for the assistance of the faithful for the resettlement of Cuban families.  Inspired by the call of the Gospel to be the Body of Christ, Corpus Christi parishioners came forward with extreme generosity to share their time, talent and resources.

Fr. McLoughlin’s term as pastor ended in 1982 when he was transferred to another parish.  Parishioners still look on his pastorate with great affection.  Longtime parishioner Maryrose Owens said, “I loved Fr. Nick.  He knew you.  He took time with you…and he was Irish!”

Fr. Michael Lydon succeeded Fr. McLoughlin as pastor.  Fr. Lydon’s pastorate was history-making for the diocese.  Fr. Lydon was the first Bay area-born priest to be assigned as a pastor in the Diocese of St. Petersburg.  Fr. Lydon was instrumental in the planning of the parish’s celebration of its Silver Jubilee.  A Jubilee Mass was celebrated on the feast of Corpus Christi, June 5, 1983, and included the world premiere of a special festival Mass composed by Daniel Pross for the occasion.  This work was commissioned by and dedicated to the faithful of Corpus Christi parish, and was sung by the congregation and choir accompanied by members of the Florida Gulf Coast Symphony at the 10:00 a.m. Mass.

Father Lydon spent three years as pastor of Corpus Christi and was followed by Fr. Paul Goudreau who became pastor in 1985.  It was during Fr. Goudreau’s tenure as pastor that Corpus Christi launched a Building Fund Campaign to finance the construction of a new parish office building and the school administration building.  Fr. Christopher Fitzgerald, Dean of the East Hillsborough Deanery, and

Fr. Goudreau officiated at groundbreaking ceremonies on November 15, 1987.  Both buildings were completed in June, 1988.  Not only was the building completed in a debt-free fashion but the Church mortgage was also paid off at that time.

Community Expands in ’90s

Fr. Alan Weber was appointed pastor of Corpus Christi in 1990.  The development of Tampa Palms and other New Tampa subdivisions brought residents to the previously uninhabited northern part of the parish.  Therefore, Fr. Weber began a weekly Saturday vigil Mass in a storefront in the Tampa Palms area.  The rapid growth in that area prompted the establishment of St. Mark the Evangelist Parish.

The ’90s also brought great joy to the parish with the ordination to the priesthood of three young men from the parish:  Fr. Merrell Dickey, Fr. Ed Palka and Fr. Anthony Blount, S.O.L.T.

The school began a pre-kindergarten program for four year olds.  At this time, with ten classes of students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight, the school continued to grow.

In 1996, Fr. Brendan Lawlor returned to Corpus Christi to continue the work of forming the people of God in faith and ministry.  The parish no longer served a small faith community.  Even after the establishment of St. Mark the Evangelist parish, the faith community of Corpus Christi included more than 2,000 families.

The New Millenium

A core team headed by Terry Boehm kicked off the implementation of ‘Renew 2000’ in 1999.  This evangelization initiative was designed to involve Catholics in small Christian communities.  Forty-five small communities in both English and Spanish were formed at Corpus Christi.  Through ‘Renew 2000’, parish missions and various other events were held.

In 2000, parishioners not only welcomed a new millennium but also a new pastor, Fr. Joseph L. Waters.  Fr. Waters, with his background strived to enhance the total experience of parishioners.

In 2001, under Fr. Waters’ leadership, a capital project, begun by Fr. Brendan, was launched.  This project brought security fencing to the school campus in its first phase.  In 2003, the second phase added a state-of-the-art primary classroom wing, an art room, media center and computer lab.  Also, the former media center became St. Anne’s Hall, a general purpose room for use by both the school and parish.  In 2006, Fr. Waters initiated and completed a project for the renovation of the parish center.

During the past eight years, the people of Corpus Christi have brought a true spirit of hospitality to Corpus Christi.  The defining style of the pastor has encouraged staff and parish leaders alike to welcome and involve parishioners.  Fr. Waters has also successfully strengthened the relationship between the parish and school.  His personal investment and involvement in all aspects of parish life have been a great asset to Corpus Christi in the first decade of the new millennium.

The new century also brought a number of new parochial vicars to Corpus Christi.  Among them were three priests from Poland who served the parish in various years.  Fr. Ryszard Stradomski, Fr. Krzysztof Gazdowicz, a newly ordained priest, and Fr. Kazimierz Domek.  In 2001, a parochial vicar, Msgr. Augustine Ndeukoya (Msgr. Gus) from Africa arrived at Corpus Christi.  Tragically, Msgr. Gus, whom parishioners held in great esteem, fell ill during Christmas Eve Mass in 2003 and died five days later.  The entire faith community mourned his passing.

Corpus Christi has been blessed to have been associated with many religious communities over the years including the School Sisters of Notre Dame, the Adrian Dominican Sisters, the Alleghany Franciscan Sisters, the Syracuse Franciscan Sisters and the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus & Mary.

Throughout the years as the parish grew, Corpus Christi Catholic School also grew in many ways.  It has maintained accreditation from the Florida Catholic Conference (FCC) as an assurance to its constituents that its programs and operations are educationally sound and in keeping with the teaching of the Church.  In 2005, the school began preparation to seek accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools (SACS), a prestigious accreditation enjoyed by relatively few elementary schools.  After an intense time of strategic preparation, the school was awarded SACS accreditation in the fall of 2007.

Active Engaged Parishioners

From the start, Corpus Christi Parish has been a community teeming with activity, a place where parishioners interact with one another and celebrate the joy and bounty of God’s love.  Corpus Christi has had a strong tradition of faith formation built on the four pillars as outlined in The Catechism of the Catholic Church:  the Creed, the Sacraments, the Commandments and Prayer.  The parish has offered programs for students not attending Catholic schools, as well as RCIA classes, and sacramental preparation classes, to mention a few.   Students in Corpus Christi Catholic School attend formal religious instruction daily.

Lay participation in the liturgy has increased over the years.  Currently, Corpus Christi parishioners serve their parish as ushers, lectors, cantors, choir members, and Eucharistic ministers.

Responding to the Gospel call to tend to the needs of those less fortunate, Corpus Christi has had many service initiatives in place.  Corpus Christi parish serves the needy in the larger Temple Terrace

Community through the St. Vincent de Paul Society.  The parish is a service venue for the St. Vincent de Paul Society where people come for food and other help.  In recent years, Corpus Christi has partnered with a sister parish in Haiti.  Corpus Christi has established a strong, viable outreach program to respond to the needs of the faithful at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Dilaire, Haiti.  A team of parishioners, accompanied by our pastor, Fr. Joseph Waters, visited the parish and school to better understand their specific needs.  The Bishop of the Diocese of Ft. Liberte has also visited Corpus Christi and celebrated Mass with parishioners and school children.  Through the work of parishioners and school children, the parish’s effort to help these people in one of the world’s poorest countries has proven to be mutually enriching.

A ministry to seniors in the parish began many years ago and still exists today.  The “Young At Heart” are a group of senior citizens who meet regularly for fun and enrichment.

Always throughout the past 50 years, the engagement of the parishioners was evident.  Ralph Barthle fondly reminisces about the involvement of parishioners and their spirit of camaraderie.  According to Mr. Barthle, there was a time when members of the Men’s Club did all the “chores” around the church, and afterward they always found time for a card game.  Norma Gonzalez remembers when she and a handful of young mothers started their own Bible study group.  Mrs. Gonzalez recalled, “We started with Genesis and stuck to our study for more than five years!”  According to several parishioners, in the early years there was even a brigade of volunteers who were enlisted to help parishioners whose cars were mired in the mud of the unpaved parking lot. Even today, Parish Work Days sponsored at various times, bring out young and old alike to work side-by-side to beautify the parish.

The love of the faithful for the parish has endured through good times and bad.  While visible growth in the parish seemed to coincide with expanding building projects, it is the people of Corpus Christi who are truly what St. Paul refers to as “God’s building” (I Corinthians 3).  Many who settled in the Temple Terrace area decades ago continue to make Corpus Christi their spiritual home.  Some second generation members drive in for weekly worship from the far reaches of Hillsborough County.  Young Ian Gutierrez, a seventh grader at Corpus Christi Catholic School, is a fourth generation member of the parish.  Ian’s great-grandparents, Joe and Ann Farina, joined the parish over 30 years ago.  Ian’s grandparents, Tom and Frances Farina, were married at Corpus Christi, brought their children there, and are still members today, along with Ian’s parents, Julian and Dawn Gutierrez.  They drive in every Sunday from central Tampa for Mass.  Ian and his sister, Danielle, currently attend Corpus Christi Catholic School and their brother, Joel, graduated from Corpus Christi in 2007.  Ian often speaks of his tremendous feeling of comfort at Corpus Christi.  He commented, “It is like a home to me.  It is the only place I ever want to belong.”  When asked if he will belong to Corpus Christi Parish as an adult with his own family, his answer was a resounding “Definitely.”  There are many families like this one who are firmly planted at Corpus Christi.

Vicki Coldren looks back on her arrival in the parish over 30 years ago and the welcome she received.  She came with two babies and said she immediately felt the warmth of a “family-oriented” parish.  Her daughter, Theresa Hackney, went on to graduate from Corpus Christi Catholic School; two of her grandchildren also graduated and one is currently in the seventh grade at Corpus Christi.

A Spiritual Home

The history of Corpus Christi Parish is one marked by a deep sense of gratitude.  Through 50 years, its people have thanked God for Archbishop Hurley, whose vision, fidelity and drive made their parish a reality, and for those courageous men and women, priests and laity who forged the way through change and turbulence.  There were countless men and women who extended a welcoming hand to the stranger, the traveler, to the African American, Cuban, Indian, Puerto Rican, African, Mexican, and so many others.  In this moment in its history, Corpus Christi is grateful especially to those who labored selflessly to make it a spiritual home for so many, a true living symbol of the Body of Christ.

Over the decades, Corpus Christi has been a place alive with the Spirit of the Living God.  It has been a place where God’s praises have been sung, where the Gospel has been proclaimed in word and in deed, and where the faithful have gathered to share the Body of Christ.  For 50 years, men and women have pronounced their marital vows before God’s witness in the sanctuary of Corpus Christi Church.  Through 50 years, mothers and fathers have brought their sons and daughters to the waters of Baptism.  The faithful have come forward to seek forgiveness of sin and healing of their ills.  Within its sanctuary, the young and the old alike have received God’s own Holy Spirit.  For 50 years, the parish community has come together to celebrate the transition into eternal life of many of its members, including many pioneer members who labored to make Corpus Christi a vibrant parish.

The story of Corpus Christi is the story of priests and people, young and old, rich and poor, Hispanic, Africans, Anglos, Asians, African Americans, Indians and others working together to build up the Body of Christ.  This history is proof that God has chosen to build this parish community into a living, breathing tabernacle where He is present and worshiped.  This parish’s 50 years are a testimony to the growth of the faith among and through its people.

The 50th Anniversary of Corpus Christi Parish is a milestone in a journey that continues.  Only to the extent that its people continue the work of building the Kingdom of God does this history assume real meaning.  May the people of Corpus Christi, those who are on its rolls today and those yet to be born, never tire of witnessing the power of God in human life and never cease to be the Body of Christ.

History written by Dr. Carmen L. Caltagirone

August 28, 2008

Feast of St. Augustine