Local History of Catholic Church

1
Local History of Catholic Church

• Before 1883, Mass was celebrated occasionally in
  the home of Mrs. Martin Bruce in Bagdad when a
  traveling priest came through or one from
  Pensacola could come.
• 1883 St. Anns Church, a mission church, was
  built in Bagdad from contributions made by Mr.
  William Ollinger, Mrs. Martin Bruce and Mrs. John
  Casey.
• Mass was celebrated by priests from St. Michaels
  in Pensacola and St. Marys in Fort Walton
  Beach.

2
The Church 1940s 1950s

• 1948 Rev. James Gilligan, Assistant Pastor at St.
  Marys in Fort Walton Beach, was charged with
  responsibility for Crestview and Bagdad.
• 1950 Gas and electricity are installed in the
  church.
• 1955 Archbishop Toolen (then Bishop) purchased
  land on Park Ave. in Milton for future church,
  from E. N. James and J. D. Hembree, church
  members.
• 1957 October 20 - Ground breaking for new church.
  New church was helped by a 5000 grant from the
  Extension Society and 2000 from the Diocese of
  Mobile. The total cost of the church was
  23,000, exclusive of furnishings.
• 1958 First Mass in new church. Church still a
  mission church out of Crestview.

3
The Church 1960s 1970s

• 1960 Father Gilligan made Pastor. House across
  the street purchased for office, rectory. Father
  was still serving Crestview.
• 1962 Kindergarten started. Ground is broken for
  Educational building.
• 1964 Father Gilligan has only St. Rose as his
  responsibility.
• 1968 300 students enrolled in CCD. Parish
  celebrates 10th anniversary. Father Lorrigan
  replaces Fr. Gilligan as pastor.
• 1976 Ladies Club reorganized and resurrected.
• 1978 Knights of Columbus chapter formed.

4
The Church 1980s 1990s

• 1982 January - Father Todd Hevia becomes
  administrator after Fr. Lorrigan collapses.
• 1982 New rectory/office building completed.
• 1982 October - First Fall Festival
• 1984 Hometown boy Michael Reed is ordained.
• 1987 Deacons Tom Kennell and Dave Davey ordained
  permanent deacons.
• 1988 Church is bursting at seams even after
  renovation new church committee formed.
• 1990 Plans approved for new church
• 1994 First Mass in new church
• 1998 Father Thom Crandall replaces Father Todd
  Hevia as Pastor.

5
The Church in the 2000s

• 2002 Jan. - Father Tom Collins appointed
  temporary administrator. New rectory purchased
  for priests former rectory is made into all
  offices for parish.
• 2002 June - Father Steven J. OConnor appointed
  Pastor of parish.
• 2004 Father Kurian Manikuttiyil joins Father
  OConnor as Parochial Vicar. Deacon Chris
  Christopher joins us.
• 2004 Nov. Father Dennis J. OBrien comes to St.
  Rose as Pastor
• 2006 Father Peter Hung Nguyen, SOLT becomes new
  Parochial Vicar.
• 2006 Sept. Father Peter goes on temporary
  assignment Father Mathew Chandrankunnel in
  residence.
• 2006 October - Pastoral Plan for next 3-5 years
  presented to parish.
• 2007 August Father Bernard Jakubco, MSC
  assignment Parochial Vicar

6
Church Notes

• Between 1930 and 1932, French-speaking persons
  from across America and Canada came to north
  Santa Rosa County in search of good agricultural
  land. The community of Belandville, just south
  of Munson, in 1932 had 500 residents. A French
  Franciscan priest, Rev. August Beyne ministered
  to them. In 1932, a church was built with
  Extension Society Funds. By 1937, the small
  community failed despite having raising fine
  crops. The people left the houses were moved.
  The church was dismantled and reassembled at the
  Catholic Boys Home summer camp on Mobile Bay.
  Old maps identify the area as Santa Maria,
  which is what Father Beyne called it.