St James Catholic Cathedral

To commemorate the St James Centennial, a publication detailing the history through photographs and written accounts was printed. The above picture is the opening page of that account, and as the caption states, we are still thankful for the assistance. Many of the photographs and historical references were helpful in this account.

Our History

On May 20, 1881, land was secured for the first Catholic church in Orlando. Bishop John Moore, then second bishop of St Augstine made the purchase. Bishop Moore bought block 33 on the plan of Orlando known as Robert P Reid's addition, for $1,050.

Shortly after the land purchase, the population of Orlando began to blossom. In 1880, Orlando numbered 200 residents, with a 2000% increase in 1885 to over 4,000. To put this in context, Orange county only had a growth of 20% from 1990 to 1999.

Due to the efforts of Father Felix P. Swembergh and the increased population, the cornerstone for Orlando's first Catholic church was set on January 23, 1887. The church celebrates its beginning date as 1885, the arrival of Father Swembergh, Orlando's first resident Catholic priest. Sadly, Father Swembergh did not live to see the church completed, Bishop Moore dispatched him to Tampa. At the time, an epidemic of yellow fever had broken out, and Father Swembergh administered to the sick. Father Swembergh fell ill himself, and died on October 31, 1887 of yellow fever.