History of St. Agnes Parish
Established in 1952 on Key Biscayne – an area famous for pirate, Native American and lighthouse tales – St. Agnes Parish initially served only three dozen families. The first Masses were celebrated on Mashta Point in a desolate home previously owned by the Matheson family and renovated by the Mackle family. On dark, rainy days, worshipers used flashlights to follow the services in their missals. The Mackle brothers, who were prominent Key Biscayne developers, donated the present property to the parish. It was named in honor of Saint Agnes, their mother’s patron saint.
On Easter Day, 1954, about seventy-five families celebrated the first Mass in the present church. In 1959, the parish grew rapidly with the arrival of Cuban refugees. A school was established, as well as a parish council, charismatic prayer groups and outreach ministries.
Over the years, the school was greatly expanded and the Blessed Sacrament Chapel was built, affording the faithful the blessing of perpetual adoration. Today, St. Agnes is a vibrant community of faith, with people from all parts of the world worshipping together and relying on each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.
St. Agnes through the years
A decree issued by the then Archbishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine, declaring the erection of the parish under the name of St. Agnes officialy. On the right, the same document, redacted in latin. Both dated of 24 of March, 1954.
Headlines on Sunday edition from The Miami Herald dated of June 13th, 1954 read: "New Key Biscayne Church to be dedicated today".
Headlines on Sunday edition from The Miami Herald dated of June 13th, 1954 read: "New Key Biscayne Church to be dedicated today".
The Church Auditorium of St. Agnes Church was announced as being recently completed on an article featured on The Florida Catholic newspaper on Friday edition of June 18, 1954
The Church Auditorium of St. Agnes Church was announced as being recently completed on an article featured on The Florida Catholic newspaper on Friday edition of June 18, 1954
A class of Religious Vacation Pupils, on St. Agnes. Florida Catholic, July 26th, 1957.
A class of Religious Vacation Pupils, on St. Agnes. Florida Catholic, July 26th, 1957.
"Spanish Modern Catholic Church Offers Peace at Early Mass", reads the caption of a picture on a story written by Aaron Lakes on the Miami Herald of August 28, 1961, detailing daily Masses and routines from that time.
"Spanish Modern Catholic Church Offers Peace at Early Mass", reads the caption of a picture on a story written by Aaron Lakes on the Miami Herald of August 28, 1961, detailing daily Masses and routines from that time.
Parishioners of St. Agnes Catholic Church and other community members gathered right before Christmas to celebrate the construction of a new church and multipurpose center, and the completion of a new Pre-K3 building for St. Agnes Academy which will open in January. Read the full article on www.islandernews.com
Our Pastors
- Rev. Msgr. George W. Cummings
- 1952-1953
- Rev. Msgr. Bernard J. McGrenahan
- 1953-1959
- Rev. Antonio Navarrete
- 1960-1962
- Rev. Thomas L. McDermott
- 1962-1963
- Rev. Msgr. Bryan O. Walsh
- 1963-1964
- Rev. Msgr. James F. Nelan
- 1965-1977
- Rev. Msgr. James J. Walsh
- 1977-1982
- Rev. Msgr. William F. McKeever
- 1982-1993
- Rev. Msgr. Jose L. Hernando
- 1993-2014
- Rev. Juan Carlos Paguaga
- 2014-present