ABOVE: 1984 Christmas photo of coffee and donuts in the atrium of the Cathedral Center after Mass at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. Photo courtesy of the Mario Mesa Photo Archives.
The atrium of Saint James Cathedral is alive with children and families enjoying coffee and donuts Sunday mornings. The investment parishioners made in the late 1970’s to build a center for community gathering envisioned by Father David Page, Pastor of Saint James Cathedral from 1972 to 1986, continues to offer opportunities for community connections and fellowship.
Listen as Attorney Tom Wilkes, details how the City Of Orlando, in many ways led by Saint James Cathedral, transitioned from an economic downturn to a renaissance of new construction and new activity in this oral history interview at Saint James Cathedral, March 26, 2011.
LISTEN (2:10) Tom Wilkes, March 26, 2011
From a $90,000 a year thrift store for the poor to soup and sandwiches for the hungry, St. James Cathedral’s history of community giving is dedicated to serving the needy in our area. As an Orlando organization tithing 10 % of their collection, St. James financially supports such worthwhile institutions as Apopka Family Learning Center, B.E.T.A. Center, Coalition for the Homeless, Covenant House of Central Florida, Fresh Start, Health Care Center of the Homeless, iDignity, JMJ Life Center, Morning Star School, Russell Home for Atypical Children and more. In this excerpt from an oral history interview at St. James Cathedral on August 15, 2011, Frank and Mary Jane Sevick highlight the origins and outreach of a few St. James community activities such as offering soup and sandwich to those hungry at lunchtime which grew into the Daily Bread and the development of the Christian Service Center. They recall St. James parishioners such as Kathy Hummel one of the founding members of B.E.T.A., Beverly Gawlick who started Outreach Love, Dick Rupp who assisted with the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store on Parramore, and Fr. David Page who worked diligently with the downtown community to establish the Christian Service Center. The legacy of community building continues as 2,789 people in Orlando were assisted by St. James through St. Vincent de Paul donations last year. Learn more about the history of community organizations in the Orlando area and the contributions made to the lives of our citizens in this interview.
LISTEN (9:34) Frank and Mary Jane Sevick
Back to topThe atrium of Saint James Cathedral is alive with children and families enjoying coffee and donuts Sunday mornings. The investment parishioners made in the late 1970's to build a center for community gathering envisioned by Father David Page, Pastor of Saint James Cathedral from 1972 to 1986 continues to offer opportunities for community connections and fellowship.
Attorney Tom Wilkes, details how the City Of Orlando, in many ways led by Saint James Cathedral, transitioned from an economic downturn to a renaissance of new construction and new activity in this oral history interview at Saint James Cathedral, March 26, 2011.
Community Giving: A History of Sharing Time, Talent, and Treasure in Orlando
From a $90,000 a year thrift store for the poor to soup and sandwiches for the hungry, St. James Cathedral's history of community giving is dedicated to serving the needy in our area. As an Orlando organization tithing 10 % of their collection, St. James financially supports such worthwhile institutions as Apopka Family Learning Center, B.E.T.A. Center, Coalition for the Homeless, Covenant House of Central Florida, Fresh Start, Health Care Center of the Homeless, iDignity, JMJ Life Center, Morning Star School, Russell Home for Atypical Children and more. In this excerpt from an oral history interview at St. James Cathedral on August 15, 2011, Frank and Mary Jane Sevick highlight the origins and outreach of a few St. James community activities such as offering soup and sandwich to those hungry at lunchtime which grew into the Daily Bread and the development of the Christian Service Center. They recall St. James parishioners such as Kathy Hummel one of the founding members of B.E.T.A., Beverly Gawlick who started Outreach Love, Dick Rupp who assisted with the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store on Parramore, and Fr. David Page who worked diligently with the downtown community to establish the Christian Service Center. The legacy of community building continues as 2,789 people in Orlando were assisted by St. James through St. Vincent de Paul donations last year. Learn more about the history of community organizations in the Orlando area and the contributions made to the lives of our citizens in this interview.