Around the Block

ABOVE: Photo of the home built by Mr. Clarence Marsh at 315 Cathcart Avenue in downtown Orlando.

In 1980  the family of the late Clarence Marsh arranged for his home at 315 Cathcart Avenue in Orlando to be sold to St. James Cathedral for the priests to use as their rectory at a price of $40,000 for closing costs.

During the renovation of St. James Cathedral in 1979-1980, the rectory for the priests on Orange Avenue was demolished to make way for the new Community Life Center.

According to Orlando Sentinel columnist Ed Hayes, a new trend was set in moving the residence for the priests away from the church as other parishes would later follow this practice.

A few years later, The Days Inn Company wanted the 315 Cathcart property for their parking lot and arranged an exchange of properties with St. James Cathedral. The home at 323 E. Concord Street was purchased for $125,000. and given to St. James Cathedral in exchange for the 315 Cathcart Street home which became a parking lot for the Day Building.