About St. Anthony · Fort Lauderdale, Florida
St. Anthony Catholic Parish is the historic mother church of the Catholic faith in Broward County, founded in 1921 in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Located at 901 NE 2nd Street in the Victoria Park neighborhood, the parish serves approximately 1,300 families and shares a campus with St. Anthony Catholic School, the first Catholic school in Broward County (opened 1926). Belonging to the Archdiocese of Miami, St. Anthony carries forward a pioneer South Florida Catholic legacy that has produced such notable alumni as tennis star Chris Evert, author Michael Connelly, and former U.S. Rep. Clay Shaw.
- Established
- 1921
- Patron
- St. Anthony of Padua (Portuguese, born Lisbon 1195; Franciscan preacher known as 'Hammer of the Heretics')
- Rector
- Fr. Rolando Cabrera
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Miami
Why belong here
St. Anthony offers daily and Sunday Mass in the heart of historic Victoria Park / downtown Fort Lauderdale, supported by a full Sacramental life — weekly Confessions, Adoration, Holy Days, and ongoing devotions such as the Cenacle Rosary and a Respect Life ministry. The parish is anchored by its own Catholic school (PK-3 through 8th grade) and offers a deep bench of ministries spanning adult faith sharing, youth groups, Knights of Columbus Council #13118, the Women's Guild, music, outreach (homeless, cancer, bereavement, substance abuse), and a young adult community — so new parishioners can plug in at almost any stage of life.
Mass times at St. Anthony
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:30 – 5:00 PM
- Sunday 11:30 – 11:50 AM
- By appointment
Parish Identity & Mission
St. Anthony Catholic Parish, located in the Victoria Park neighborhood of downtown Fort Lauderdale, has been the mother church of Broward County Catholicism since its founding in 1921. The parish mission statement is 'Our mission at Saint Anthony Parish is to bring the WORD to life,' and its vision is 'to create an engaged community by serving all on their spiritual journey to Christ through Worship, Service and Fellowship, leading to a vibrant community today and for generations to come.' Approximately 1,300 families make up the present-day community.
History
Founded in 1921 from a Catholic community seeded by 65 pioneer families in 1913, St. Anthony is the first Catholic church between Miami and West Palm Beach and the third oldest in South Florida. The first permanent church was a graystone building dedicated in 1922 on E. Las Olas Boulevard; under the legendary pastor Msgr. John J. O'Looney (assigned October 1929, retired June 1971), a $350,000 campaign funded the still-standing Spanish-style church. The parish opened its school in 1926 — the first Catholic school in Broward — and in 1932 became the first Catholic high school in the county. The 90th anniversary in 2011 was marked by the book 'Pioneer Parish' co-authored by then-pastor Fr. Jerry Singleton, and the parish celebrated its centennial with a special Mass on June 12, 2021.
- 1913: First Catholic families gather in Fort Lauderdale
- 1921: Parish established as Broward's first Catholic church
- 1922: Graystone church dedicated on E. Las Olas Blvd
- 1926: School opens (64 students, grades 1–11)
- 1929: Msgr. John J. O'Looney assigned; serves 40+ years
- 1932: School becomes Broward's first Catholic high school
- 1937: First Catholic Woman's Club of South Florida forms here
- Late 1930s: Current Spanish-style church built
- 1952: Annunciation mission opened for African-American Catholics
- 2011: 'Pioneer Parish' book published for 90th anniversary
- 2021: Centennial Mass on June 12
Pastorate Succession
The parish's pastoral leadership stretches back to its founding pastor, with Msgr. John J. O'Looney's 40+ year tenure as the formative chapter; later pastors consolidated Catholic education and produced the parish's published history. Today the parish is led by Fr. Rolando Cabrera with Fr. Carmelo Romanello serving as Parochial Vicar.
- Fr. Michael Mullaly (1920s, founding era)
- Msgr. John J. O'Looney (Oct 1929 – Jun 1971)
- Fr. Timothy G. Hannon (from 1982)
- Fr. Jerry Singleton (Dec 2005 – 2014)
- Fr. Michael Grady (2014 – )
- Fr. Rolando Cabrera (current)
Mass & Sacramental Schedule
St. Anthony celebrates a full daily and Sunday Mass schedule at its 901 NE 2nd Street church in the Roman (Latin) Rite. The church remains open until 4:00 PM following weekday Masses, and a Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet follow each weekday Mass. Confessions are heard weekly on Saturday afternoon and before noon Sunday Mass.
- Weekday Masses: Mon–Fri 6:30 AM and 8:15 AM
- Saturday Masses: 8:15 AM and 5:00 PM Vigil
- Sunday Masses: 7:30, 9:00, 10:30 AM, 12:00 PM, 5:30 PM
- Holy Days: 6:30 AM, 8:15 AM, 12:10 PM, 6:30 PM
- Confessions: Sat 4:30–5:00 PM; Sun 11:30–11:50 AM; by appointment
- After-Mass Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet (weekdays)
St. Anthony Catholic School
Founded in 1926 by the Adrian Dominican Sisters under Fr. Michael Mullaly, St. Anthony Catholic School — the first Catholic school in Broward County — still operates on the same Victoria Park campus (820 NE 3rd Street, today serving PK-3 through 8th grade with over 450 students). The school was designed by noted architect Francis Abreau and was originally staffed by the Adrian Dominicans until 1982, when Fr. Timothy G. Hannon arranged for the Marist Brothers to take over. In 1952 its high-school grades were spun off into what became Saint Thomas Aquinas High School. The current principal is Ms. Jenna McIntosh (assigned 2022).
- Founded 1926 — first Catholic school in Broward County
- Architect: Francis Abreau
- Original principal: Sister Marguerite Cichansk, OP
- Staffed by Adrian Dominican Sisters 1926–1982
- Over 450 students (PK-3 through 8th grade)
- School Advisory Council chaired by pastor Fr. Rolando Cabrera
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Religious Education classes for parish children meet Sunday mornings from 10:15 to 11:30 AM in the school building, directed by Patricia Solenski, D.R.E. The parish also coordinates the RCIA (Initiation of Adults) program for those entering the Catholic Church.
- Religious Education: Sun 10:15–11:30 AM, school building
- Director: Patricia Solenski, D.R.E. (954-467-7749, [email protected])
- RCIA (Initiation of Adults)
Ministries & Outreach
The parish life at St. Anthony is anchored by an unusually wide range of lay-led ministries and parish organizations, from liturgical ministries (lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, ushers, hospitality) to outreach (homeless, cancer support, bereavement, respect life, substance abuse), to formation (Bible/Faith Sharing, Ministry of Mothers Sharing).
- Liturgical: Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Ushers, Sunday Hospitality
- Music: Adult Choir, Children's Choir
- Outreach: Homeless Ministry, Cancer Ministry, Bereavement, Respect Life, Substance Abuse
- Formation: Bible/Faith Sharing, Ministry of Mothers Sharing, Divorce/Single Care
- Prayer: Cenacle Rosary
- Youth: Jr. High Youth Group, High School Youth Group, Young Adult Ministry
Parish Organizations
Three umbrella bodies help organize parish life at St. Anthony: the Parish Pastoral Council (president Jay Pietrafetta), the Women's Guild (president Cheryl Bartanowitz), and the Knights of Columbus Council #13118 (Grand Knight Jose Vezquez). The 'Friends for Education' supports the school, chaired by the pastor.
- Parish Pastoral Council — Jay Pietrafetta, President
- Women's Guild — Cheryl Bartanowitz, President
- Knights of Columbus Council #13118 — Jose Vezquez, Grand Knight
- Friends for Education — chaired by the pastor
Sacraments
Sacramental preparation at St. Anthony follows standard Archdiocese-of-Miami preparation timelines, with Baptisms arranged one month in advance and Marriages arranged six months in advance through the Parish Secretary.
- Baptism: arrangements one month in advance
- Marriage: arrangements six months in advance (954-463-4614)
- Religious Education (Sunday morning)
- RCIA for adults
Architecture & Art
The current parish church is the imposing Spanish-style structure built in the late 1930s with funds raised through a $350,000 campaign by Msgr. O'Looney. A notable exterior feature is a stone frieze above the main entrance depicting St. Anthony feeding the poor.
Visiting & Contact
The parish office is open Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 AM to noon and 1:00 to 4:00 PM, and Monday afternoons from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. Office: 901 NE 2nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Phone: (954) 463-4614. Email: [email protected].
- Office hours: Mon 1–4 PM; Tue–Fri 9 AM–noon and 1–4 PM
- Phone: (954) 463-4614
- Email: [email protected]
- School address: 820 NE 3rd Street
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Michael Mullaly1920s
Pastoral director when the school opened in 1926.
- Msgr. John J. O'LooneyOct 1929 – Jun 1971
Pioneering pastor for 40+ years; led the fund drive that built the current Spanish-style church; credited with founding Holy Cross Hospital and opening Annunciation Church.
- Fr. Timothy G. Hannonfrom 1982
Secured the services of the Marist Brothers for the school.
- Fr. Jerry SingletonDec 2005 – 2014
Collaborated with parishioners to publish 'Pioneer Parish' in 2011.
- Fr. Michael Grady2014 – present parish
Succeeded Fr. Singleton and led enhancements to the school and parish.
- Fr. Rolando Cabreracurrent
Current pastor as listed on the Archdiocese team page.