About Our Lady of Perpetual Help · Tampa, Florida
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church (OLPH) is a historic Catholic parish nestled on the edge of Tampa's Ybor City Historic District, founded in 1890 to minister to Spanish-speaking immigrant cigar workers. Originally named Our Lady of Mercy, the parish was founded by the Jesuits on land donated by Henry Flagler and purchased from Vicente Martinez-Ybor. Today it is a diverse, bilingual (English/Spanish) parish of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, known for its Romanesque 1937 church, its beautiful stained-glass windows, its tranquil gardens, and its multicultural community of Filipino, Hispanic, and Anglo parishioners.
- Established
- 1890
- Patron
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help (under the title the parish was renamed in 1937; the original 1890 parish was Our Lady of Mercy)
- Rector
- Rev. Anthony Astrab
- Diocese
- Diocese of Saint Petersburg
Why belong here
OLPH welcomes everyone to a small but vibrant, multicultural Catholic community in the heart of historic Ybor City. Active members can join the parish choirs (the Filipino-rooted OLPH Choir or the OLPH Coro Latino for Spanish Mass), serve as lectors, acolytes, or Eucharistic ministers, walk through OCIA or Confirmation preparation, or take part in Catholic Young Adults of Ybor (CYA Ybor). The parish's bilingual Masses, weekday Eucharistic Adoration, and historic Romanesque church make it a unique spiritual home for English- and Spanish-speaking Catholics alike.
Mass times at Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:30 PM – 4:10 PM
- Tuesday: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (during Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament)
Adoration times
- Tuesday: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, with confessions)
History of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Founded in 1890 as Our Lady of Mercy by Father Philippe de Carriere, S.J. on land in Ybor City purchased from Vicente Martinez-Ybor with a donation from Henry Flagler, OLPH was established to minister to the influx of Spanish-speaking immigrants who came to work in Tampa's cigar factories. The original wood-frame church opened in September 1890 (officially completed February 20, 1891). In 1937 the Redemptorists replaced it with the present Romanesque-style church and renamed the parish Our Lady of Perpetual Help after their Marian devotion. Over more than 130 years the parish has been guided by the Jesuits (1890–1926), Salesians (1926–1934), Redemptorists (1934–1980), diocesan priests (early 1980s), and the Marist Fathers (1986–2024). In July 2024 the Marists departed and diocesan priest Father Kyle Smith became pastor. A historical marker on the grounds, erected in 2011 by the Diocese of St. Petersburg, commemorates the parish's long history.
- 1890: parish founded as Our Lady of Mercy by the Jesuits
- 1891: Sisters of St. Joseph open St. Joseph's Academy next door
- 1926: Salesians assume stewardship
- 1934: Redemptorists assume stewardship
- 1937: present Romanesque church built; parish renamed Our Lady of Perpetual Help
- 1944: School Sisters of Notre Dame take over the academy
- 1975: OLPH Academy closes (cigar-industry mechanization, urban renewal)
- 1986: Marist Fathers take stewardship
- July 1, 2024: Marists depart; Father Kyle Smith named pastor
Religious Education & Faith Formation
Our Lady of Perpetual Help offers religious education for children, youth, and adults. The Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) program provides children's religious education classes on Sunday mornings in the Parish Hall (formerly the convent), before and after Sunday Masses. The Confirmation Program prepares youth for the sacrament through classes held at the Rectory on Sundays 11:00–11:45 AM. Adults seeking to become Catholic — or baptized Catholics seeking First Communion and/or Confirmation — are welcomed through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA), a spiritual journey of conversion spread over a suitable period, culminating in the sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil.
- CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) for Children — Sundays, Parish Hall
- Confirmation Program (Youth) — Sundays 11:00–11:45 AM at the Rectory
- Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) — for unbaptized adults, Christians entering the Catholic Church, and Catholics needing First Communion/Confirmation
Music Ministry
The OLPH Music Ministry is a vibrant, multicultural blend of cultures enriching Masses and special events at the parish. The OLPH Choir, founded in 2003 as the OLPH Ladies Choir and now a mixed chorus with a large Filipino membership, sings at the 10:00 AM Sunday Mass under the direction of Nhick Ramiro Pacis, who also serves as organist for the Saturday Vigil. The OLPH Coro Latino leads music at the 12:00 PM Spanish Mass under the direction of Astrid Sanchez and Luis Manuel Orozco, with rehearsals on Mondays at 7:00 PM at the Rectory. The ministry also features longtime cantor Vic Omila, Jr. (since 2005), violinist Patrick Baran, organist Jim Leone, guitarist Herman Quijano, trombonist Juan Manuel Madrigal, and percussionists Victor Lozada and Mauricio Rodriguez. During holidays, feast days, and parish events all OLPH choirs come together in unity.
- OLPH Choir (English/Filipino) — directed by Nhick Ramiro Pacis; sings at 10:00 AM Sunday Mass
- OLPH Coro Latino (Spanish) — directed by Astrid Sanchez and Luis Manuel Orozco; sings at 12:00 PM Sunday Mass
- Cantors and instrumentalists: Vic Omila, Jr. (cantor since 2005), Patrick Baran (violin), Jim Leone (organ), Herman Quijano (guitar), Juan Manuel Madrigal (trombone), Victor Lozada & Mauricio Rodriguez (percussion)
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners are invited to serve actively in the liturgy as Acolytes, Lectors, Altar Servers, and Eucharistic Ministers. These roles are integral to the worship experience at OLPH and allow individuals to contribute to the spiritual life of the community. Volunteers are welcome to contact the parish office to learn more about serving.
- Acolytes
- Lectors
- Altar Servers
- Eucharistic Ministers
Young Adult Ministry — CYA Ybor
Catholic Young Adults of Ybor (CYA Ybor) is a regional ministry for Catholics in their 20s and 30s, based at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in the heart of Ybor City. Through the ministry the parish seeks to foster community, prayer, and service, with opportunities to grow in faith including weekly Sunday Mass groups, monthly socials, quarterly Theology on Tap events, men's and women's groups, and small-group options. CYA Ybor welcomes couples and individuals looking for resources and support rooted in Catholic life.
- Weekly Sunday Mass groups
- Monthly socials
- Quarterly Theology on Tap
- Men's and women's groups
- Small-group options
Sacraments
The seven sacraments touch every stage of Christian life, and OLPH provides preparation and celebration for parishioners and visitors. Baptisms, First Communions, and Confirmations are prepared through the parish's Religious Education (CCD) program or the OCIA process. Marriages are celebrated in OLPH's historic Romanesque church; priority is given to registered parishioners, but non-parishioners — including those with multi-generational family ties to OLPH or those drawn by the beauty of the church — are also welcome. Sacramental records can be requested via an online form on the parish website.
- Baptism — Baptismal Request Form available (English/Spanish)
- Confirmation — preparation via CCD or OCIA
- First Communion — preparation via CCD or OCIA
- Matrimony — Wedding Request Form; registered parishioners given priority
- Sacramental Records — request form available on parish website
Filipino Community & Simbang Gabi
OLPH has a long-standing relationship with the Filipino-American Catholic community in the Tampa Bay area. The OLPH Choir includes many Filipino members and regularly participates in Filipino religious events throughout Tampa, including Simbang Gabi — a devotional nine-day series of Masses anticipating Christmas that is observed with great fervor in the Philippines. In 2021, OLPH was one of nine Tampa Bay churches selected to host Simbang Gabi, with the first day's collection amounting to a little over $1,120.
- Simbang Gabi devotional Masses hosted at OLPH
- Filipino choir members active in the parish's Music Ministry
Volunteering & Giving at OLPH
OLPH Catholic Church believes in giving back to the community and welcomes volunteers into many aspects of parish life. Parishioners can become Eucharistic Ministers, lectors, altar servers, or join one of OLPH's choirs. More information about volunteer opportunities is available by contacting the parish office.
- Become a Eucharistic Minister
- Be a lector at Mass
- Become an altar server
- Join one of OLPH's choirs
Visit & Contact
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church is located at 1711 E. 11th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605, in Tampa's historic Ybor City neighborhood. The parish office can be reached at (813) 248-5701 (fax 813-241-4128) or by email at [email protected]. Rectory hours of operation are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Garden benches, flowering roses, hibiscus, and magnolias around the church, rectory, and convent make the grounds a spiritual and physical oasis — and visitors and alumni of OLPH Academy are warmly welcomed.
- Address: 1711 E. 11th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605
- Phone: (813) 248-5701; Fax: (813) 241-4128
- Email: [email protected]
- Rectory Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays — 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
- Website: http://olphtampa.org/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Thomas Stokes, S.M.1986–2012
Long-serving Marist pastor; oversaw OLPH for 26 years after the Marist Fathers took stewardship in 1986.
- Father Roland Lajoie2012–January 2017
Marist; succeeded Father Stokes upon his retirement.
- Father Hector Cruz, S.M.January 2017–July 2024
Last Marist pastor; retired July 2024 after 38 years of Marist presence at OLPH. Noted for outreach to the Hispanic community.
- Father Kyle SmithJuly 2024–present
First diocesan pastor since 1986; began ministry July 1, 2024 as the Marist era ended.