by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Beginning in 1829, Catholics in Jacksonville met in their homes to celebrate Mass, which was officiated by priests who came to town on horseback from Georgia.
By 1854, the parishioners had moved into a wood-frame building at Adams and Ocean streets.
That was the year Pope Pius IX declared that the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary was an Article of Faith, so the new place of worship was named “Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.”
The 1860s were a time of trial and tribulation for the church and its members. In 1863, Jacksonville was occupied by Union troops during the Civil War. The building was invaded and vandalized with some of the soldiers marching through town wearing sacred vestments and blowing notes through organ pipes that had been stolen from the church.
The present church was dedicated in 1910 on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception by Bishop John Kenny, a former pastor of the church.
Today’s “IC,” as it is known informally, is constructed of white Kentucky limestone. Its interior is decorated with stained-glass windows produced in Munich, Germany, by the Mayer Stained Glass Company. The day its bell first rang, the church was the tallest building in Duval County.
That’s part of the story behind just one of the stops on this year’s 4th Annual “Downtown Historic Church Tour” coordinated by Downtown Vision Inc. IC and eight other historic churches, plus Snyder Memorial, will be open to the public for tours 1-5 p.m. Saturday.
Most of the churches were erected soon after the Great Fire of 1901, making them some of the only century-old houses of worship in the area, said Jacksonville Historical Society Executive Director Emily Lisska.
“These churches have been one of the truly ongoing features of Downtown. They are fixtures and so are their congregations,” she said. “Even with the flight to the suburbs over the years, these churches have remained an active part of Downtown.”
In addition to their longevity, Lisska said because of the era in which they were built, the churches represent some of Florida’s most classic architecture and “they are a point of pride for the city.”
Because of preparations for the annual Rotary Club “Gingerbread House Extravaganza,” Old St. Andrew’s won’t be on the tour this year. It is one of the few structures that wasn’t destroyed in the fire, said Lisska. Now the headquarters for the historical society, the building is open for group tours year-round.
Volunteer congregation members will be at each location to answer questions and provide insight into the history of the churches. A free trolley service will be available from the Main Library along the walking route and the trolley will take visitors to and from the outlying churches.
New this year is entertainment scheduled at some of the churches on the tour.
“Expect to hear choirs and church musicians this year,” said Katherine Moore, DVI marketing and events coordinator. She also said Snyder Memorial will be open during the tour for an exhibit of historic photographs offered by the City’s Office of Special Events.
Again this year, 20 percent of ticket sales will benefit the Emergency Services & Homeless Coalition.
Moore is looking forward to good weather for the Saturday afternoon tour.
“The forecast is for temperatures in the 60s and sun. That’s great weather to explore Downtown and get into the holiday spirit,” she said.
Tickets are $5 per person (cash only, children under 12 admitted free), available at the Main Library beginning at noon Saturday. For advance purchases and to download a tour map, visit www.downtownjacksonville.org or call 451-3344.
356-2466