Saint David Parish Celebrates 52 Years in Davie

Saint David Parish, a cornerstone of the Davie community, celebrates over five decades of worship and service. Founded on June 4, 1974, the parish has grown from humble origins into a vibrant center for faith, education, and community outreach.

Father Gabriel O'Reilly, appointed by Archbishop Coleman Carroll, led the nascent congregation. Early worshippers gathered for Sunday Mass at Eddie Egan's Restaurant and Saturday evenings at Dwight D. Eisenhower Grade School. This dedicated community quickly established the Men's Club, Women's Club, Saint Vincent de Paul Society, and a Religious Education Program, while simultaneously initiating fundraising for a permanent church building.

The first church structure was completed in December 1979. Rapid expansion followed with the Parish Hall, six classrooms, and parish offices constructed adjacent to the church in 1983. A rectory was built shortly after. A 1986 fundraising campaign doubled the church's size and funded a new school building, both completed within two years.

In 1994, the parish school earned the U.S. Department of Education's "National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award" on its tenth anniversary. The parish expanded community service in 1995 with the arrival of three Sisters from the religious congregation of Saint Joseph of Cottolengo: Sr. Anna, Sr. Consolata, and Sister Mary Ellen. They, with parish volunteers, established the HOPE (=Helping Other People Everyday) Outreach Center, a non-denominational ministry assisting needy community members throughout Davie.

The multi-purpose Activity Center, completed in 1996, provides space for various activities, including lunch, after-school programs, and sports. It also serves as a food court for the parish's bi-annual carnivals.

Father O'Reilly led the parish for nearly 40 years until his death in 2013. Father Ryan Saunders now serves as pastor, continuing the parish's legacy of welcoming and serving the community.