The History of Saint Thomas Church

The History of Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church

The history of Saint Thomas Aquinas Church began in the year 1884 when a proposal was made by Reverend Father Peterman of Tampa to erect a

Catholic church and schoolhouse in Bartow, Florida. There was a mandate at the time by Roman Catholic Bishops for the establishment of a school

at every parish church in the United States, something Peterman believed strongly in. The good father declared that the project was too much for one

individual to provide the funding, and suggested "our citizens take charge of the matter and make up the necessary funds to secure the lot." In 1887

Peterman died from yellow fever and the building plans for the church and school were destroyed.

The project took longer than planned. It wasn't until 1913 that the first Saint Thomas Church was completed, built by John J. Stenger. It was to be

called Saint Thomas Chapel. It was a small wooden church located at Church Street and Floral Avenue.

On march 8th, 1955 a new campaign was born to begin plans for a new building to be located at Kissingen Avenue (Old Fort Meade Road) in Bartow.

Seventy-five families pledged their money and hearts to build the new Saint Thomas Aquinas Church.

In 1958 property was purchased at the location of 1305 East Mann road and a degree of erection of a new parish was granted dated Dec. 7th, 1964

by Bishop Hurley. At 2:30 pm on Sunday, January 9th, 1956, there was a groundbreaking ceremony for the new edifice of Saint Thomas Aquinas.

Today, Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church has a family of parishioners, who, like those who came before them, are dedicated to their fath and

their church. The church will be expanding in size in the years to come, and as always, all who wish to enter are welcome. Saint Thomas is all about

community, its people, and its warm greeting to all who enter and share in the love of Christ.