In 1978 downtown Orlando consisted of empty storefronts and an economic recession darkened the nation. It was at this critical point in the history of Orlando that Father David Page of St. James Cathedral envisioned expanding the church at the corner of Orange Avenue and Jefferson Street.
Fr. Page, a community builder, wanted to create a gathering place for community life and social functions. He wanted people to feel connected to their community. Tom Wilkes, a parishioner of St. James Cathedral, arrived at St. James just weeks before the church rectory was demolished to make room for the Community Life Center.
He details the church’s contribution to The City Beautiful in this excerpt from an oral history interview on March 26, 2011.
LISTEN Tom Wilkes (4:51)
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 Frank and Mary Jane Sevick (9:34)
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First Communion Procession at Saint James Cathedral
Photo of the First Communion procession through the atrium at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. Circa 1970's. Photo courtesy of the Mario...
Coffee and Donuts at Saint James Cathedral
1984 Christmas photo of coffee and donuts in the atrium of the Cathedral Center after Mass at Saint James Cathedral in downtown...
Saint Patrick's Day at Saint James Cathedral, 1982
1982 photo of Saint Patrick's Day festivities at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. Photo courtesy of the Mario Mesa Photo Archives.
Mardi Gras at St. James Cathedral
March 1982 photo of Cathy Buning Steiger and her husband Jim Steiger enjoying Mardi Gras festivities in the Community Life Center at...
Valentine's Day at St. James Cathedral
February 1992 photo of Jim and Cathy (Buning) Steiger at a Valentine's Day celebration in the Community LIfe Center at St. James...
Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center
1980's photo of parishioners enjoying coffee and donuts in the atrium of St. James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. Eve Rupp, President of...
St. James Cathedral Community Life Center
Groundbreaking for the Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center at the corner of Orange Avenue and Jefferson Street in downtown Orlando. Pictured are...
St. James Cathedral Community Life Center
Photo of the groundbreaking ceremony for the Community LIfe Center at Saint James Cathedral on the corner of Orange Avenue and Jefferson...
St. James Cathedral Community Life Center
Saint James Cathedral property at the corner of Orange Avenue and Jefferson Street cleared for construction of the new Community Life Center....
St. James Cathedral Community Life Center
Photo of Saint James Cathedral property at the corner of Orange Avenue and Jefferson Street cleared to make room for the construction...
Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center
Photo of the excavation for the Community Life Center on the corner of Orange Avenue and Jefferson Street at Saint James Cathedral...
St. James Cathedral Community Life Center
Photo of Saint James Cathedral Choir and parishioners at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center in downtown...
St. James Cathedral Community Life Center
Bishop Grady enjoys a donut in the kitchen of the Community Life Center at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. Fr. Page, Pastor...
St. James Cathedral Community Life Center
Parish social event coordinator Elsee Smith prepares Father John McCormick for Saint Patrick's Day festivities in the Community Life Center at Saint...
St. James Cathedral Community Life Center
Parishioner Glenette Mesa greets Father Bill in the atrium of the Community LIfe Center at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. The Community...
St. James Cathedral Community Life Center
Photo of the Community Life Center Atrium under construction at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
Mardi Gras at Saint James Cathedral
March 1992 photo of Mardi Gras at Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center in downtown Orlando. Fr. Page, Pastor of St. James Cathedral...
Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center
Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center
Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center
Frank and Betsy Walters, right, greet other parishioners in the atrium of the Community Life Center at Saint James Cathedral in downtown...
Saint James Cathedral
Parishioners enjoy a delicious community potluck at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. In addition to many parties and parish activities, Saint...
Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center
Parishioners enjoying coffee and donuts in the atrium of the Community Life Center at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
St. James Cathedral Community Life Center
Parishioners fellowship in the atrium of the Community Life Center at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. The Community Life Center was envisio...
Saint Patrick's Day Celebrations!
Saint Patrick's Day celebrations in the Community Life Center at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center
Parishioners meet after Mass for coffee and donuts in the Community Life Center Atrium at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center
Vincent and Arline Benedetti, long time parishioners of St. James, enjoy a church dinner in the Community Life Center at Saint James...
Saint James Cathedral Community Life
1983 photo of parishioners enjoying community in the atrium of the Cathedral Center at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center
Sharing hospitality in the Community LIfe Center of Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. In addition to many parties and parish activities, Saint...
Saint James Cathedral Community Life
Community plant sale at Saint James Cathedral Community LIfe Center in downtown Orlando. Fr. Page, Pastor of St. James Cathedral 1972-1986, envisioned...
Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center
Church fellowship in the Community Life Center at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. In addition to many parties and parish activities, Saint...
Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center
Dramatic presentation in the Community Life Center of Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando, March 31, 1985. Father David Page, Pastor of St....
Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center
Dramatic presentation in the Community Life Center of Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando, March 31, 1985. Father David Page, Pastor of St....
Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center
Dramatic presentation in the Community Life Center of Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando, March 31, 1985. Father David Page, Pastor of St....
Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center
Religious education dramatic presentation in the Community Life Center of Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando, March 31, 1985. Father David Page...
Saint Patrick's Day at Saint James Cathedral
You're never too young to dance a jig! 1982 photo of Saint Patrick's Day festivities in the Community Life Center at Saint James...
Saint Patrick's Day at Saint James Cathedral
1982 photo of Saint Patrick's Day festivities in the Community Life Center at Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando. Fr. Page, Pastor...
Mardi Gras at Saint James Cathedral
Enjoying Mardi Gras in the Saint James Cathedral Community Life Center in downtown Orlando. Father David Page, St. James Cathedral Pastor from 19...
Father David Page, Saint James Cathedral
1983 photo of Father David Page Pastor of Saint James Cathedral in downtown Orlando from 1972-1986.
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.
Tom Wilkes - St. James Cathedral Community Life Center
In 1978 downtown Orlando consisted of empty storefronts and an economic recession darkened the nation. It was at this critical point in the history of Orlando that Father David Page of St. James Cathedral envisioned expanding the church at the corner of Orange Avenue and Jefferson Street. Fr. Page, a community builder, wanted to create a gathering place for community life and social functions. He wanted people to feel connected to their community parish. Tom Wilkes, a parishioner of St. James Cathedral, arrived at St. James just weeks before the church rectory was demolished to make room for the Community Life Center. He details the church's contribution to the city beautiful in this excerpt from an oral history interview on March 26, 2011.
http://www.stjamesorlando.com/
Father John McCormick, Rector of St. James Cathedral
Biography on Father John McCormick, Rector of Saint James Catholic Cathedral in downtown Orlando.
https://www.orlandodiocese.org/?s=john+mccormick