GESU CHURCH (MIAMI, FLORIDA)

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The 'Gesu Church' is a historic church in Miami, Florida. It is located at 118 Northeast 2nd Street. On July 18, 1974, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

Contents

Description

References and external links

Description

The Gesu Church is significant for its important role in the religious history of Miami and as a reflection of the City's growth and development. In addition, the buildings are excellent examples of religious architecture and noteworthy for the excellence of its design, craftsmanship, and detailing.
Gesu is Miami's oldest Catholic parish and has served the religious and humanitarian needs of the community for over a century. The growth of the parish closely parallels the development of the City of Miami.
Miami's first Catholic service was conducted in 1872 when Father Dufau, who had been sent to South Florida by Bishop Agustin Verot of St. Augustine, celebrated Mass and confirmed the pioneer family of William J. Wagner. Wagner constructed a small wooden church on his homestead in 1875, and this became Miami's first house of worship.
The Holy Name Parish (now Gesu) was organized in 1896, and a new church was constructed in 1897 on land donated by Henry Flagler. As Miami's population and the Holy Name congregation expanded, the need for a larger church became evident. A cornerstone was subsequently laid on December 10, 1920, on the site of the earlier church, and the new building was dedicated in 1925. Gesu School was added in 1926, replacing an earlier school building constructed in 1905. The school was later demolished.
In 1961, Belen Jesuit School is established in the United States. The fourth floor of the Gesu Church becomes the first site of Belen Jesuit Preparatory School. The faculty, like many other priests and religious, had been expelled from Cuba by the Communist government of Fidel Castro, an alumnus of the school. In October 1962, Belen Jesuit moved to SW 8 Street and 7 Avenue.
Gesu Church continues to serve as one of the three downtown churches and was recently restored to its original appearance. The parish has been staffed by the Jesuits of Antilles province since 2004. Previously it was staffed by the Jesuits of New Orleans province. Father Eduardo "Eddy" Alvarez, S.J. is the pastor.

References and external links

★ Dade County listings at National Register of Historic Places

★ Florida's Office of Cultural and Historical Programs

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★ Miami-Dade County listings

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★ Gesu Church

★ Miami's oldest parish gets new Jesuits