In 1953, newly ordained Father Laurence E. Higgins was sent by his diocese in Dublin, Ireland, where at that time there was a surplus of priests, to the “mission territory” of Florida. After spending five years as an assistant at parishes in Miami, he was sent to Tampa to attempt to develop a new parish. At the time, only Christ the King, Most Holy Redeemer, St. Peter Claver, Sacred Heart, and St. Joseph’s were in place. The approximate boundaries of this new mission were to extend from 40th Street on the east to the county line on the west, Buffalo Avenue (now Martin Luther King) on the south to Waters Avenue on the north. Best estimate was that 350 Catholic families resided in that area.
Father Higgins spent a year in residence at Christ the King, devoting his available time searching for a Mass site and recruiting potential parishioners. He landed Hillsborough High School and on February 8, 1959 at 10:30 a.m., 216 people turned out for the first Mass. In May of that year at 9:00 a.m., Mass was added at the Drew Park Army Reserve Center, and in September the Wellswood Civic Center became the site of a noon Mass. On occasion Masses were also held at Jesuit High School. On November 5, 1959, sufficient progress had been made that Archbishop Joseph Hurley canonically erected St. Lawrence Parish. Father Higgins wanted to name the parish after St. Laurence, an early Church deacon who spent his life serving the poor, martyred during a wave of Roman persecutions. Archbishop Hurley consented but had him change the spelling to the alternative “Lawrence.”
Once the parish was officially established, there was a desire for a church parishioners could call their own. Groundbreaking for a provisional church began in November 1960 on 20 acres of diocesan land at the corner of Himes and Hillsborough Avenues. Progress was rapid in 1961. With a lot of night and weekend work from the parishioners, Archbishop Hurley was able to dedicate the completed St. Lawrence provisional church on April 29. For 20 years, the provisional church, by necessity, would be a multi-purpose building. Foremost it was a church, but when the Blessed Sacrament was removed it also served as a meeting and bingo hall, an auditorium, and a cafeteria for the school.
In July 1961, ground was broken on the first phase of a school. Construction on the first four classrooms would not be completed until October that same year, so the church was used in the meantime for the initial 91 students. Benedictine nuns from San Antonio taught religion, with lay teachers handling the other subjects. In 1965, four sisters of St. Clare were recruited from Ireland and remained at the school for many years.
The first parents club was established in 1962. From the beginning, this group had been counted on to help provide adequate facilities for the school, a demanding and costly task. The first parents club projects included the purchase of new desks for the entire school, intercom system, air conditioning, complete furnishing of the library, playground equipment, and the outfitting of the lunch room. Over the years subsequent parents’ clubs have continued to step up to this challenge.
Additions to the school were made nearly every year until the entire second story was completed and dedicated on May 12, 1967.
Today, St. Lawrence School is a thriving, successful school with a state-of-the-art computer lab and an enrollment of approximately 525 students. Additional improvements have included a multi-purpose athletic field and track dedicated in memory of Joe and Mary Martinez, a tennis court, and covered indoor/outdoor gymnasium, totally renovated in 2024 thanks to a major contribution from an anonymous donor.
The original early childhood building for pre-kindergarten students was opened in 1998 in a building that had previously served as a children’s home from 1964-73, called the Christ Child Center. Beginning in 1998, it began serving as the Polly Murray Early Childhood Center that was connected with the school and housed all pre-k classes. In 2016, the school vacated the building to move its pre-k program back to the main building. By 2017, it began to be used for ministry spaces which eventually included a renovation. Now it is used as a multi-purpose ministry meeting space. It has been used for VBS (Vacation Bible School), Hispanic ministries, scouts, youth ministry, and other ministries.
The first rectory and parish offices were located in a house on Saint Vincent Street behind Jesuit High School. In 1981, the offices were moved into the new church. In 1985, the rectory and offices moved to the Christ Child Center, until the offices became a permanent part of Higgins Hall in 1994. Thereafter, houses were purchased on Caracas Street behind the church, and they continue to serve as the priest residences.
In addition to facilities, many parish ministries sprang up in the early 60s. The women’s guild began in 1960, responsible for the care of the altar and developing the “coffee counter” for parishioner fellowship after Masses. In 1961, the Holy Name Society was formed, and the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD classes) began. Among others starting at this time were the school board, usher society, social club, bowling and softball leagues, athletic club, boy and girl scouts, altar boy society, and Catholic youth club. With the development of all these groups, a parish council became a necessity. This body consisted of a chairman and the heads of all the organizations.
Not long after St. Lawrence parish was established, several other Catholic parishes began to form either from within or adjacent to St. Lawrence’s original boundaries. On May 20, 1962, Epiphany parish separated from St. Lawrence; on August 9, 1963, St. Paul was formed, then Incarnation on November 7, 1963. What had been accomplished at St. Lawrence gave these communities confidence.
On June 8, 1974, John Hatcher became the first St. Lawrence parishioner to be ordained a priest. On May 17, 1980, Kevin Murray became the first St. Lawrence School graduate to be ordained and then served as a parochial vicar at our parish. On May 19, 1984, another St. Lawrence School alumnus, Thomas Morgan, was ordained, served as parochial vicar here in his first assignment, and later returned as pastor.
By 1978, with the continued growth of the parish, eventually reaching 2,200 families, planning for a permanent church and the requisite fund raising began. When the provisional church was built, parishioners were faced with a $100,000 price tag and were initially unsuccessful. This time the church would cost over $1.4 million. Father Higgins had a clear vision for this structure, one presented to and approved by the parishioners.
The focal point of the church would be a large crucifix and the altar beneath. Above the main altar a skylight would focus the natural Florida sunlight upon the altar of sacrifice. The pews, which would seat 600 in the main body, were arranged so that no one would be more than 47 feet from the altar. On September 30, 1979, all of the ideas were set to be transformed into brick, mortar, steel, wood, and glass with the official ground breaking ceremony. Bishop Thomas Larkin was the main celebrant of the Mass attended by many dignitaries, including Tampa mayor Bob Martinez.
On April 5, 1981, after 22 years of waiting, St. Lawrence finally had its permanent church, one that would rival any in practicality and simplicity, with all focus on the sacrifice of the Mass. The church was dedicated this day in a Mass celebrated by Bishop Larkin.
In 1988, planning began for a much-needed parish center to house a growing number of ministry programs, school and social events, wedding receptions, meeting facilities, the expansion of the religious articles store, and overflow Masses. On June 21, 1992, construction began and in January,1994 “Higgins Hall” was completed. At the time, thanks to the functionality and décor Polly Murray had incorporated into the design, Higgins Hall was considered one of the top event centers in the Tampa Bay region. It has been the venue for parish and school galas, graduations, wedding receptions, festivals, quinceaneras, inductions into national organizations, award ceremonies, concerts, corporate and not-for-profit events, religious conferences, and Catholic sacraments. This facility has been invaluable to fully support parish life.
The successes at St. Lawrence under the leadership of Father Higgins did not go unnoticed. When offered a more established parish in the 1970s, he requested to stay as pastor of St. Lawrence while also taking on St. Peter Claver, a predominantly African-American parish near Ybor City. He guided St. Peter Claver from 1971-73. During this period, President Jimmy Carter appointed him to the U.S. Commission for Civil Rights for southern states. He also played a role in starting the three Catholic parishes in the area mentioned above.
Father Higgins was appointed the vicar general (second in command) of the Diocese of St. Petersburg from 1980-90 under Bishop Larkin. In 1983, Pope John Paul II gave him the title of “Monsignor Prelate of Honor” and subsequently in 1988 “Protonotary Apostolic,” the highest rank of monsignor. He also served as chaplain for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Rowdies and was frequently sought by Tampa Bay area media outlets to comment on church-related issues.
The now “Monsignor Higgins” gained a reputation as a good Samaritan and became a constant presence at civic and athletic events in the area. His contributions to the community included serving on the board of directors of the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute Foundation, Judeo Christian Health Clinic, “Higgins Alcohol and Addiction Program” at USF Florida Treatment Center, Project Return, Gold Shield Foundation, Crisis Center of Hillsborough County, Boys and Girls Clubs, Tampa and West Tampa Chambers of Commerce, Ybor City Development Corporation, the Outback Bowl, and many others. He founded the Raphael Foundation in 1997, which supports programs for the disadvantaged such as MacDonald Training Center, Meals on Wheels, Judeo Christian Health Clinic, Abe Brown Ministries, and Trinity Cafe. He also established “Housing by St. Laurence,” which is dedicated to helping first-time home buyers and low-income families, and San Lorenzo Terrace I and II, HUD projects of retirement apartments for low-income seniors.
The Edward J. DeBartolo Family Center for Media and Technology opened in 2007. The building is split up into three main spaces. The library makes up half of the building in which media classes for the school and meetings for the faculty are held. The other half is split into two equal size classrooms with a state-of-the-art Apple computer lab for technology and a stream classroom. Smaller rooms are used for small group instruction classes spread throughout the building.
Monsignor Higgins announced his retirement after 49 years as the pastor of the parish, effective June 30, 2007, while remaining as pastor emeritus and continuing his efforts on behalf of the poor. The following day, Father Tom Morgan, alumnus of St. Lawrence Catholic School and Tampa Catholic High School, was appointed as St. Lawrence’s second pastor; he was officially installed by Bishop Robert Lynch on August 11. Father Morgan had previously served at St. Lawrence as parochial vicar for six months after being ordained.
On November 3 that year, a fire broke out in the church chapel. It is believed that a short in an electric votive candle stand was the cause. Although the fire damage was limited to the middle pillar where the stand was located, smoke damage was extensive throughout the church. During restoration, Mass was celebrated in Higgins Hall and Celtic Hall (the old provisional church). Daily Mass was celebrated in the St. Augustine Room of Higgins Hall and confessions were heard in the media center. The restoration project was completed the week of March 24, 2008.
The parish celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2009. The celebration included a Mass at Hillsborough High School (the site of the first Mass), a school alumni reunion at a parish picnic, a founders and early parishioner luncheon, and a Mass of remembrance for deceased parishioners. The anniversary Mass was celebrated by Father Robert Morris, vicar general of the diocese, presided over by Bishop Lynch, and concelebrated by Monsignor Higgins, Father Morgan, Father Crispin Keating, Monsignor Brendan Muldoon, Father George Malekial, Father Jamie Diaz, Father Robert Schindler, Monsignor Diego Conessa, and Father Jose Gonzalez. The Mass was followed by a banquet in Higgins Hall, including a slide show history of the parish, comments by Monsignor Higgins, and a presentation of thanks to the Sisters of St. Clare and to Polly Murray.
Polly Murray, the business administrator for Monsignor Higgins’ years as pastor, passed away April 29, 2012. In 1960, she went to work as the lay administrator of the parish and school. Polly oversaw all business details of the parish and the construction of the school, the permanent church, Higgins Hall, and the grounds of the parish. It was often said that Monsignor Higgins was the visionary and Polly Murray brought his ideas to life.
Father Morgan expressed a desire to establish a closer relationship with Church in Cuba. In 2010, Father Cirilo Castro, pastor of two parishes in Cuba, was visiting the Tampa Bay area. He met with Father Morgan and mentioned that he was involved in building a church in the city of Sandino in western Cuba. Father Cirilo returned in 2011 and was formally introduced to our community at all the Masses. A special collection was taken up for his building project. On June 1, 2012, St. Lawrence parochial vicar Father Dayan Machado, himself a native Cuban, travelled to Sandino to visit Father Cirilo, his parishioners, and the bishop of the diocese, Most Rev. Jorge Serpa. At that time the relationship was further developed.
In March, 2013, parish outreach efforts for the needy were restructured from previous participation in the St. Vincent de Paul Society to the creation of the St. Lawrence Matthew 25 Outreach Ministry. The new focus took its inspiration from Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:35-36 which states: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.” Then on March 3, 2013, the Sandra Tini Outreach Center was officially opened and dedicated at St. Lawrence. This center, then and now, houses the efforts of the Matthew 25 Outreach Ministry, where food, clothing, and other items are stored and distributed to those in need two Sundays a month. The Center is named after, Sandra Ann Tini, a native of Amersham, England, and long-time resident of the Tampa Bay area.
On July 1, 2015, Father Morgan was reassigned by Bishop Lynch as pastor at St. Jerome Parish in Largo. He was replaced by Monsignor (who preferred to be known as Father) Michael Muhr, who in his first priestly assignment had been parochial vicar at St. Lawrence from 1983-86.
On August 24, 2016, parish founder and Tampa legend Monsignor Higgins died peacefully. His 49 years as pastor and nine as pastor emeritus made it the longest tenure of any priest ever in the Diocese of Saint Petersburg. With his health declining, preparation for the funeral began months in advance. Tampa officials expected it to be one of the highest-attended services in city history. Visitation was held for two days in the church. The funeral Mass was celebrated by Bishop Lynch in the church with overflow in the piazza and Higgins Hall. Eulogists included Monsignor’s nephew Martin Gourley, former Florida governor Bob Martinez, and former Buccaneer head coach Tony Dungy. Shuttle buses transported participants from Raymond James Stadium to the parish grounds. A tropical storm passed through the area that day. Fortunately, the entire service was carried live on two Tampa network TV stations. Monsignor Higgins is buried in Garden of Memories Cemetery.
It is uncommon for permission to be granted to sculpt a statue for a parish priest, but Laurence Higgins impacted the lives of thousands within and beyond the St. Lawrence parish. Father Morgan approached Bishop Lynch with the idea and to seek permission. Several long-time parishioners had a similar thought and readily supported the initiative. When Monsignor Higgins was presented with the idea he was opposed, thinking himself unworthy of such an honor. In the end, the proponents convinced him that this would be a way to keep his mission alive, for the important messages he spent his life extolling to be passed on. Humbly and gratefully, he eventually accepted.
A team chaired by Bob Best developed a plan and selected sculptor Linda Ackley-Eaker, a well-known artist from Michigan who had done other projects in the Tampa Bay area. In the meantime, Father Morgan had departed and Father Michael Muhr arrived as the third pastor of St. Lawrence. Father Muhr was not only supportive but also suggested that the site around the statue should be designed as a memorial. Parishioner George Tharin, Jr., designed “Derry Circle,” and Albert Docobo, principal with the Docobo Corporation of Tampa, was chosen as general contractor.
The donors to the project were Anthony Arena, Caldeco Air Conditioning and Heating, Ted and Marty Couch, Eddie and Candy DeBartolo and Family, Nicole DeBartolo, Bill and Karen Dalton, Allan and Marie Martin, Lisa DeBartolo Miggs, Les and Pam Muma, John and Lydia Oliva, James Palermo, Lou and Jenny Plasencia, and Tom and Kathy Shannon.
By bringing him into the process, Monsignor was able to select the photo Ackley-Eaker would use as her main focus, to pose in the robes he preferred, and to determine the spot where the statue would be positioned. He also asked for the words “Welcome Home” to be the theme of the plaque in front of the statue, which was provided through the generosity of the faculty of St. Lawrence Catholic School. Though the statue was not completed while he was still alive, as his health continued to decline, that famous Higgins smile was in full view any day Monsignor was updated about developments or had a chance to view its progress.
The statue was formally unveiled and dedicated October 7, 2017 outside Higgins Hall. Alcides Segui, parishioner and anchor for FOX 13, emceed the ceremony. Father Morgan spoke about Monsignor’s contributions to the community and priesthood, and Bishop Gregory Parkes officiated at the dedication. Martin Gourley, one of Monsignor’s 23 nephews and nieces, and Anthony Arena, one of the prime motivators for the statue, did the unveiling. Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and City Councilman Charlie Miranda, also participated. Councilman Miranda had made a motion, approved by the council, to rename a portion of Himes Avenue “Monsignor Higgins Avenue.” Signs are in place at the corners of Hillsborough and Himes and Caracas and Himes.
Following this ceremony a sold-out fund-raising dinner was held in Higgins Hall, benefitting St. Peter Claver, Cristo Rey, and St. Lawrence Schools. Gayle Sierens Martin, long-time news anchor at WFLA, was the emcee. Former Tampa mayor Dick Greco, a close friend of Monsignor’s, was among the speakers. A 13-minute video capturing Monsignor’s life of love and dedication to others brought the crowd to its feet. It was a fitting way for hundreds of parishioners and friends, all personally touched by him, to relive their memories.
On August 15, 2018, Father Muhr was called by Bishop Parkes to serve as director of ministry to priests for the diocese. He was replaced as pastor by Father Daniel Kayajan. Father Kayajan was faced with guiding the parish through the onset of COVID-19 and the restrictions that came with it. He had digital equipment installed in the church to broadcast Mass online. He eventually grew those Masses into a digital program complete with daily Angelus, rosaries and chaplets, lectio divina live, stations of the cross, and faith formation live. He created drive-up programs for parishioners to collect religious items such as prayer cards or palms during Palm Sunday. Another drive-up program came from Matthew 25 outreach to collect and distribute donations. When people were allowed to gather again in-person, he set up social distancing guidelines and a program to make Mass accessible.
Monsignor Higgins had been working on a plan for years to secure statues of saints he considered among the most important heroes of the Catholic faith. Thanks to the generosity and dedication of several long-time parishioners, especially Jenny Plasencia and Marie Martin, two years after his death, Monsignor’s vision for a “walk among the saints” came to completion. In 1980, when the parish was preparing to build its permanent church, Monsignor assumed it would be located prominently on the corner of Hillsborough and Himes Avenues. Once planning began, he discovered that zoning regulations would preclude that.
“I was disappointed when our architect informed me that we needed to create a separate environment for the church, surrounded by a wall,” said Higgins. “But one day, after saying Mass, the Holy Spirit inspired me to refer to a book I hadn’t read in years, St. Augustine’s City of God.” St. Augustine wrote that life is a “tale of two cities,” the Earthly City and the City of God. The earthly is consumed by a love of self and suppression of God and the heavenly by the love of God and suppression of self. “In reflecting on St. Augustine’s thoughts, I could see our parishioners coming into the lot, parking their cars, getting out, leaving their worldly thoughts behind, and entering into the City of God,” said Higgins.
He envisioned a statue of St. Augustine outside the walls, his hands welcoming everyone through the piazza gates and into the City of God. With 12 other statues strategically placed inside the walls, families would be able to “walk and pray with the saints” before entering God’s house in the church. Monsignor had long and carefully considered the saints he thought should be included:
St. Augustine: “The central concept in St. Augustine’s City of God was the basis for the design of our church and surrounding area. Also, he was a tremendous scholar and saint, but was first a prolific sinner, and is now a marvelous example for us all.”
Blessed Virgin Mary: “She was not only Jesus’ Mother but is ours as well. No greater human being was ever born.”
Abraham: “God tested him and he was willing to give up his beloved son because of his devotion to God. He is the father of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.”
St. Lawrence: “He is the patron of our parish.”
St. Peter: “He was an imperfect man. He fell often but rose again. He loved Jesus deeply and was chosen by Him to be the first pope.”
St. Paul: “He is the greatest evangelist of all time.”
St. Jude: “He is probably the least known of the 12 apostles but is our ally for hopeless causes.”
St. Francis of Assisi: “He gave up everything to take care of the poor. We should all be inspired by him.”
St. Monica: “She is the patroness of Mothers. She helped convert her son (St. Augustine) through her suffering, prayers, and penance.”
St. Gianna: “She is the patroness of life. She died giving birth. She is a great model for married women.”
St. Teresa of Avila: “Her life was a testament to how anyone with a dream and passion to fulfill it can make a real difference.”
St. Thomas More: “He was a brilliant thinker. He was a man of such strong faith and conviction that he gave his life rather than compromise those principles.”
St. Anthony: “He is the saint we pray to when we lose things.”
The first unofficial “Walk with the Saints” was done by Father Kayajan in 2019. Later the creation of an official program followed. The first official, formalized debut of “Walk with the Saints” took place on All Saints Day, 2022 with Father Muhr’s return in collaboration with the school. It is now a part of the school’s All Saints Day celebration annually.
Father Edward Crispin Keating was a Franciscan priest born in Cork City, Ireland, but was rarely stationed in his native land. He accepted an assignment to come to Tampa in 1985 at Incarnation, followed by service at Corpus Christi, and then St. Catherine of Siena before returning home to Ireland for his first “retirement.” “I went back to Galway, still doing some mission and parish work, minding my own business, when Laurence (Monsignor Higgins) called,” Father recounts. “He said, ‘Edward, I need you.’ So, I unretired!” Father Keating joined Monsignor Higgins at St. Lawrence in 1994. In 2008, he reached the mandatory age when all priests are required to retire from active ministry, though that was a mere technicality. Even though he became legally blind, he continued to celebrate Mass and impact parishioners through his unique teaching style until his isolation for health reasons as protection from COVID. Father Keating died February 1, 2021.
However, months before he died, a manuscript that he had been working on for over 40 years finally saw the light of day. Father Keating published his book Life and Love: The Cosmic Saga in October 2019, still available digitally and in print-on-demand through Amazon. Using cosmology, history and imaginative storytelling to highlight the truth, the book offers a view of Christianity for the 21st century reader in light of divine revelation and discoveries of contemporary science. Books were made available to parishioners and the entire first printing was sold out in one weekend.
On July 1, 2021, Father Kayajan was reassigned by Bishop Parkes as pastor at Resurrection Parish in Riverview. He was replaced as pastor at St. Lawrence by Monsignor Michael Carruthers. Monsignor Carruthers celebrated a bi-lingual Mass on the fifth anniversary of Monsignor Higgins’ death on August 24, 2021. He was present at the parish’s 60th anniversary gala in February, 2022. He started an evangelizing Catholics lecture series, encouraging parishioners to go out and invite loved ones and friends back to Mass. He was officially installed by Bishop Parks on December 12, 2021 at the 10 a.m. Mass.
In June 2022, Monsignor Carruthers left St. Lawrence to begin a sabbatical. He was replaced by Father Muhr as pastor, returning to St. Lawrence for the third time. Father Muhr has shepherded many important enhancements to the parish and school. The most complex was the replacement of the massive church roof. Forty years of scorching Florida sun and rain took its toll on the roof and skylight. The replacement cost exceeded $1 million, and the extensive work required relocation of Masses to Higgins Hall and Celtic Hall.
St. Lawrence has a rich history, evolving from what was once a cow pasture to today’s thriving urban environment. The community remains rooted in the spiritual foundation while continuing to meet the issues of the day for those of us who call St. Lawrence home.