"Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them"
- Exodus 25:8
Our Parish History
Six Royal Palm trees lead you to the entrance of Our Lady of Mercy Church built in 1950, donated by Mrs. Gertrude Hill Gavin, and designed by the noted architect F. Burrell Hoffman. The church was dedicated by the then Bishop of St. Augustine, Archbishop Joseph Hurley.
Before the first resident priest was assigned in 1984, the Catholic community in Boca Grande was served by priests from parishes in Arcadia, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, and Grove City. Prior to the building of the bridge and the church, priests came by boat to celebrate Sunday Mass during the winter season in the Boca Grande Hotel. In 1988, the Mission of Our Lady of Mercy was raised to the status of a Parish with Father Jerome Carosella as the first pastor. Father Anthony Hewitt became the second pastor of Our Lady of Mercy in 2023.
1st Station: Jesus is condemned to death
2nd Station: Jesus carries His cross
3rd Station: Jesus falls the first time
4th Station: Jesus meets His Mother
5th Station: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his cross
6th Station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
7th Station: Jesus falls the second time
8th Station: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
9th Station: Jesus falls a third time
10th Station: Jesus clothes are taken away
11th Station: Jesus is nailed to the cross
12th Station: Jesus dies on the cross
13th Station: The body of Jesus is taken down from the cross
14th Station: Jesus is laid in the tomb