San Pedro Catholic Church is located in the Diocese of Venice, Florida. We are in Southwest Florida on the Gulf Coast area of the Sunshine State.
About San Pedro
Who do you say that I am?
When Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16) San Pedro Catholic Church continues to echo that profession of faith. Rooted in the Scriptures and the tradition of the Church, we profess Jesus Christ as Lord in prayer and worship, fellowship and service.
“Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:4-5)
From Mission to Parish… the story of the beginning of San Pedro Parish goes back a long way.
In 1957 the area was range country with few inhabitants other than cattle and wildlife. Wisely anticipating the growth and development of South Sarasota County, Archbishop Joseph P. Hurley, bishop of St. Augustine, purchased the land that would become San Pedro Catholic Church.
By 1963 the number of Catholics residing in the area had grown sufficiently to establish a Mission from Epiphany Parish in Venice. Originally referred to as Warm Mineral Springs-North Port Charlotte Mission, it was given the name “San Pedro” by Bishop Hurley in December 1965.
At first, Mass was offered in a former restaurant, the use of which was generously donated by Mr. and Mrs. James Davenport. An altar and platform were constructed, and a sanctuary improvised. Volunteers spent hours each week setting up. Supplies were borrowed from Epiphany Parish and from Camp Good Counsel in Inverness, a boys’ summer camp directed by Msgr. George Cummings. On January 19, 1964, more than a hundred people participated in the first Mass in the new Mission.
The community grew rapidly, especially in North Port (originally designated North Port Charlotte), requiring a more permanent church. The campaign for funds was an instant success and ground for the church on Tamiami Trail in North Port was broken on April 16, 1966.
On January 1, 1967, San Pedro Church was formally dedicated. One half of the building was the Church, and the other half a Parish Hall.
On June 14, 1970, Bishop Charles B. McLaughlin of St. Petersburg, raised the Mission to the status of a Parish. Fr. Joseph P. Duggan was assigned as pastor, a role he faithfully served for 22 years.
The facilities grew alongside the community. The Activities Center was built in 1976, and the rectory in 1981. The present church was completed in May 1991. An addition was built on the Parish Life Center in 1995 and finally, the Youth Center was constructed in 2010.
Fr. Patrick C. Organ poured out his life in service to the good people of San Pedro as pastor to an entire generation – 31 years of dedication to Christ and his Church here in North Port.
In August, 2022, Bishop Frank Dewane entrusted the care of San Pedro to the Oblates of the Virgin Mary.