St. Louis Catholic Church

Founded in 1963, St. Louis Catholic Church community was built through fellowship, planning and hard work under the leadership of its first pastor, Fr. Fred Wass, who was described as a father and friend, gentle, fair and wise.

On August 22, 1965 Bishop Coleman Carroll dedicated St. Louis’ temporary church—a long awaited answer to their prayers. Fr. Wass in his eight years as founding pastor guided both the people and the initial construction projects. He oversaw the construction of the temporary church—a rectory with parish offices and a religious education building and the Family Center with six classrooms, an auditorium, a kitchen and a tiny gift shop.

During the late 1970’s, while Fr. David Russell was pastor, the parish saw the mortgage-burning for the temporary Church, the Rectory, Family Center, Office and classroom facilities. Through the promotion of stewardship in the parish, after five years of planning the permanent Worship Space was built. It was dedicated on September 27, 1980.
In August 1982, Fr. Jim Fetscher became the pastor of St. Louis Catholic Church. The parish community was most grateful for his gifts of leadership, openness, holiness, encouragement and enthusiasm. He was and continues to be a man of great vision and the heart and soul of St. Louis’ 50 years.

In 1986, the parish undertook an additional building project. A new library, a larger Book and Gift Center, more spaces for music programs and 16 new classrooms were added. The aging Family Center was renovated and the kitchen was updated.

In 1994, the St. Louis Pre-School expanded to Kindergarten and in 1997 to a first grade beginning the process that would eventually lead to a full eight-year school – St. Louis Covenant School. Planning for a new school building began. In August, 2001 the new St. Louis Covenant School building was dedicated. The School’s first class graduated in May 2005.

In 2010, after 28 years, Fr. Jim Fetscher was re-assigned to St. Sebastian’s Parish in Fort Lauderdale. Fr. Paul Vuturo became the sixth pastor of St. Louis Catholic Community. In Fr. Paul we have an excellent administrator, a gifted homilist, a kind, ever-present leader. Fr. Paul is ever accessible, meeting and greeting every parishioner after each weekend mass.

In anticipation of the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of St. Louis Parish, a committee has been hard at work planning a year of activities. The Jubilee Year began November 2, 2012 and will conclude with a large celebration on November 23, 2013.