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The Church of the Epiphany was begun as a mission of St. Martha’s  Parish, Sarasota in the winter of 1935 by Monsignor Charles Elslander to serve the Catholics of the Venice area.  The wisdom of a mission was brought to Fr. Elslander's attention by Col. Charles Richmond, Kentucky Military Institute president who pointed out that Catholics on the faculty and students had to make a 36 mile round trip to Sarasota to attend Mass.  At first, Mass was said only during the winter in the old Gulf Theatre, a movie house which occupied the northwest corner of Venice Avenue and Nassau Street in downtown Venice.  About 20 people came to the first Mass at the theatre.

Some of the old-timers in the parish recall the days when the altar was set up between the popcorn stand and the soft drink dispenser.  Ushers and assistants had to sweep up the litter of popcorn boxes and candy wrappers from the night before, and attempt to create a presentable area in which to set up the altar so that the Sacrifice of the Mass could be held.

Besides the priests of St. Martha Parish in Sarasota, Father Roderick McEachern, a retired priest who lived on the Bar-M-Bar ranch, which occupied the area where the Sarasota Vo-Tech School now stands, frequently came to say Sunday Mass.  At this time, Sunday Mass was attended mostly by the Catholic students and faculty of the Kentucky Military Academy, some of the personnel from the Venice Army Air Base (now Venice Municipal Airport), and a scattered handful of Catholics who lived around Venice.  Fr. McEachern helped out Fr. Elslander with the Venice mission for about seven years.

In 1947 a former military chapel of Venice Army Air Base was transported to Tampa Avenue and Nassau Street where it was refurbished and dedicated as the first Epiphany Church.  This first building was used as a parish church and later as a parish center until it was razed in 1980 to make way for the present church.  The purchase of this first permanent building as well as the complete outfitting  of the church for use cost $11,165.30.

By 1954, the mission of Epiphany had taken on considerable proportions.  Monsignor Elslander and his assistants at St. Martha’s were kept busy with the even more rapid growth in Sarasota.  Thus, on March 7, 1955, Epiphany was established as a separate entity with Fr. Michael M. Reynolds appointed as the first pastor by Archbishop Joseph P. Hurley.  Fr. Noah E. Brunner was later appointed as interim administrator during late 1955 and early 1956 because of the illness of Fr. Reynolds.

In September, 1956, Fr. Cummings was appointed pastor of Epiphany.  In 1957, Fr. Cummings offered the first Mass in Englewood at the Civic Recreation Center and later the Lemon Bay Women's Club.  One year later, the first daughter parish of Epiphany was created and on March 2, 1958, the first Mass was said in the new St. Raphael's Church. 

2nd Epiphany Church 1958 (now the Parish Hall)

In 1959, Fr. George W. Cummings, the second pastor of Epiphany Church, raised funds to build a parish school.  The new school opened in November of that year.  The school was constructed in six months and was built in such a way that a second floor could be added when the time for enlargement arrived.    In December of 1959, ground was broken for a new church, which was completed in 1960.  (This new church is the present parish hall on Harbor Dr.) The former military chapel was then used as a parish hall.  By 1966, increased enrollment at Epiphany School made the addition of a second story to the building necessary.  The second floor housed the new auditorium, science room, music room, library, classrooms, and conference rooms.

In 1964 Epiphany Parish started a new mission in Warm Mineral Springs as an outgrowth of both Englewood and Venice.  The first Masses were offered in the Springs Restaurant.  The winter congregation rose to nearly 300 with the summer attendance about 125.  That year an excellent parcel of land was purchased on US 41 consisting of ten acres.  In May, 1966, ground was broken for the new San Pedro Church, the second daughter parish of Epiphany.

Epiphany from the air circa 1968

Fr. Esteban G. Soy became the third pastor of Epiphany in 1976.  A parish census revealed that a new church was needed.  Marian Hall was built on the east side of the school to accommodate extra Masses and various parish functions.  In the meantime, the Parish Council voted to open a drive to construct a new and larger church.

By March, 1978 with the customary support of Epiphany parishioners and  visitors, the building campaign went “over the top.”  Ground was broken in February, 1979, and on June 29, 1980, Bishop W. Thomas Larkin, Bishop of St. Petersburg, dedicated the present church.  The 1960 church edifice was remodeled to serve as the new parish hall.

With the Catholic population in Florida steadily increasing, Pope John Paul II in 1984 established two new dioceses, one of which was the Diocese of Venice.  The Church of Epiphany was selected to become the Cathedral for the new diocese and Most Rev. John J. Nevins was installed as the first Bishop of the Diocese of Venice.  In 1986, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Venice was founded as the third daughter parish of Epiphany Cathedral, located on Center Road in eastern Venice.

 Fr. Soy now concerted his efforts on modernizing Epiphany School’s instructional facilities.  Pre-school, cafeteria, computer and library buildings were constructed.  A classroom annex building, which has permitted the school to grow to its maximum enrollment, soon followed.  Santa Maria Chapel in the school courtyard was constructed in 1999 to serve the spiritual needs of the school children.

Fr. Soy retired to his native Spain in July, 1999 after 23 years of service to Epiphany but has since returned to the Diocese to be of further service.  At his farewell, Bishop John J. Nevins announced the appointment of Fr. Robert R. Cannon, Judicial Vicar of the Marriage Tribunal , as the new rector of the Cathedral effective October, 1999.   Fr. Cannon  initiated needed improvements and updating of parish facilities, including a renovation of the interior of the Cathedral church and replacement of the church's pews. In 2001, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Osprey, was founded as the fourth daughter parish of Epiphany Cathedral.  In March of 2003, Fr. Cannon, a reserve Chaplain in the Air Force, was called to active duty.  On April 9, 2003, Bishop Nevins announced the appointment of Fr. George Ratzmann as rector of Epiphany Cathedral effective April 23, 2003.  Fr. George previously served at Epiphany as a transitional deacon and a parochial vicar.

In 2005, Fr. George with the assistance of Cargill & Associates began a three year capital campaign entitled Renew...Refresh...Restore with the purpose of updating the parish buildings.  Included were the renovation of the second floor of Epiphany School, a new tile roof for the Cathedral, and the renovation of the Parish Hall. 

On April 25, 2006, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI named Msgr. Frank J. Dewane, a priest of the Diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin,  as coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Venice.  Bishop-designate Dewane will succeed Bishop Nevins upon his retirement or death.  On July 25, 2006, Msgr. Dewane was ordained to the episcopacy at Epiphany Cathedral with Bishop John Nevins as principal consecrator;  Archbishop John Favalora of Miami and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin, Ireland were co-consecrators.  This was the first episcopal ordination in the history of the Diocese of Venice.

On January 19, 2007, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of Bishop John J. Nevins on the occasion of his 75th birthday.  Bishop Frank J. Dewane, Co-adjutor Bishop  suceeded him as Ordinary of the Diocese of Venice.

On September 19, 2008, Bishop Frank J. Dewane announced the appointment of Fr. George Ratzmann as pastor of St. William's Parish in Naples, Florida.  A farewell was held in the parish hall on September 28, 2008.  Fr. George is best remembered for his giftedness in preaching, his professional-quality singing voice, and his upbeat outlook on life.  For these reasons and many others, he endeared himself to Epiphany parishioners.

At the same time, Bishop Dewane announced the appointment of a new rector for Epiphany Cathedral, Rev. John F. Costello, who previously had been pastor of St. Joseph's Parish in Bradenton, Florida.  These appointments were effective October 1, 2008.  Fr. Jack has completed the final phase of the Capital Campaign "Renew, Refresh, Restore" begun during Fr. George Ratzmann's tenure and  which included a major renovation of the Parish Hall, which has served the parish for fifty years both as the first permanent church and later as a social hall.   The re-dedication and blessing of the new facility is scheduled for June 6, 2010 by Bishop Dewane.

ADMINISTRATORS , PASTORS, RECTORS  EPIPHANY PARISH (CATHEDRAL)

Rev. Monsignor Charles L. Elslander, V.F. 1935-1954

Rev. Michael F. Reynolds 1954-1956

Rev. Noah E. Brunner 1954-1956

Rev. Monsignor George W. Cummings 1956-1976

Very Rev. Esteban G. Soy 1976-1999

Very Rev. Robert R. Cannon 1999 - 2003

Very Rev. George Ratzmann 2003 - 2008

Very Rev. John F. Costello 2008 -

Priests who have been of service to Epiphany Parish
Religious Brothers & Sisters who have been of service to Epiphany Parish & School

HISTORY OF EPIPHANY CATHEDRAL SCHOOL

In 1959, Monsignor George W. Cummings initiated a fund-raising program to build a Catholic school in Venice.  Later that year the school opened its doors.  Originally, the school was a one-floor structure, and in 1966, a second floor was added to house the new auditorium, science room, music room, library, classrooms, and conference rooms.  The first enrollment for the school year 1959-1960 was 66 students in grades 1 through 4 with two instructors, and the school year started at KMI (Kentucky Military Institute) buildings  until the construction work was completed on the first Epiphany School.

The Benedictine Sisters were the first religious teaching order at Epiphany and continued until 1968 when the Sisters of St. Francis, Syracuse, New York, arrived.

In 1974 the Sisters were recalled to Syracuse.  At that time, Mr. John Hollis was employed as principal of the school.  Two Benedictine Sisters from Holy Name Priory, San Antonio, Florida, joined the staff.

Fr. Esteban G. Soy became pastor of the parish in 1976 and enthusiastically supported the school, its progress, and its dedication to values education.

In August 1977, three School Sisters of Notre Dame of the Baltimore, Maryland, Province and two Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary from Chicago, arrived to bring the number of religious teachers to seven.  A kindergarten was started in August, 1978.

An all-purpose, building, Marian Hall, was erected at the east end of the school in 1979.  This facility was used for school and parish activities.  At the close of the school year 1980-1981, changes were initiated to provide for improved departmental teaching and a stronger "middle school" concept for grades 6-7-8.

By 1982, computer education became an obvious need.  Teachers and administrators attended several in-service workshops which served to spark interest and confidence among the faculty.  Several teachers immediately pursued computer education at a local college.  Each classroom was equipped with at least one computer, and computer lab was added to the Media Center in 1983.

During the summer of 1983, an outdoor play area was designed and constructed by the Home-School group of "Handy Dads."

In 1984 when the Diocese of Venice was created and Epiphany became the Cathedral Church, the official school name became Epiphany Cathedral School.

By the summer of 1987, two growth problems were resolved by creating an art studio space and a professionally operated pre-kindergarten.  By 1988, these improvements were in place in a remodeled house on school property known locally as the "Brown house."

In 1990, the new annex at the south side of the main school building was completed, furnished, and dedicated.  This facility housed the school offices, clinic, reception area, and on the west end, a large pre-kindergarten area.

In the period 1991-1993, the cafeteria building, the Media Center,  the Pre-School Classrooms, and the Music Room were constructed in what is now known as the courtyard area, west of the main classroom building.

Enrollment continued to escalate, and Fr. Soy and Sr. Gertrude Marie Kramer, SSND, school principal and later her successor, Mr. Dewayne Byrnes,  saw the need for additional classroom space so that the school could grow to its maximum potential enrollment of 500 students.  In 1996 ground was broken on Tarpon Street, sight of the "old convent" and one time "parish rectory" for an annex classroom building, now accommodating grades 4-5-6 as well as changing facilities for physical education, teacher lounge, and other offices.

In 1998, a long-time generous benefactor of the parish and school, Mr. Milton Lewis, contributed the funds to construct a chapel intended primarily for school use.   This chapel, Santa Maria Chapel, completed in 1999 in southwest Spanish architecture is the focal point of the school courtyard assembly area.  Santa Maria Chapel is also utilized by the Diocese of Venice for their weekly TV Mass for shut-ins as well as by the parish on occasion for funerals, weddings, and other special celebrations.

The school enrollment declined in the early 2000's, and it was decided to limit the number of each grade to one classroom per grade.  This decrease in enrollment made it possible for the school to cede use of the Classroom Annex Building on Tarpon Street to the parish for offices and ministry advancement.

In 2007, Epiphany School was awarded the prestigious Blue Ribbon of Excellence Award.  In 2009, Epiphany School began celebrating the 50th anniversary of the opening of the school.  The festivities included a recorded video of an interview with Sr. Helen, the first principal, and Msgr. Cummings, the pastor of Epiphany Parish, when the school began operation.  The current principal, Mrs. Irene Lynch, and the Director of Development, Mrs. Chris Coviello, were included in the video.  An Anniversary Gala was held to commemorate the 50th Anniversary at the Plantation Golf & Country Club.

PRINCIPALS OF EPIPHANY SCHOOL

Sr. Helen, OSB (1959-1961)

Sr. Dorothy, OSB (1961-1964)

Sr. Helen, OSB (1964-1968)

Sr. John Joseph, OSF (1968-1971)

Sr. Mary Cassian, OSF (1971-1974)

Mr. John Hollis (1974-1977)

Sr. Mary Zetta, SSND (1977-1986)

Sr. Gertrude Marie Kramer, SSND (1986-1995)

Mr. Dewayne Byrnes (1995 - 2005)

Mrs. Irene Lynch (2005 - present)