OUR HISTORY

Our Lady of Grace Parish began as a Catholic mission in 1964 in rural Citrus County and has grown to a community of about 900 families. Since 1970, it is located in the Diocese of St. Petersburg.

Rev. James Hoge, OSB founded the parish and served as its pastor several times over the years. Benedictines from Saint Leo Abbey near San Antonio, FL served the parish until 1995. Since then, priests of the Diocese of St. Petersburg have led the parish.

The late Sam Kellner, who developed the community of Beverly Hills, gave four acres to the parish. Another acre was added to create the city block upon which the church building, Parish Life Center and offices now stand. The church building was dedicated on June 6, 1971. The parish life center which houses classrooms, meeting rooms, an auditorium, and kitchen, was completed in 1995.

The Our Lady of Grace faith community is diverse, extending a warm welcome to everyone. The majority is English-speaking and bilingual Spanish-speaking and charismatic communities add vibrancy and warmth to the parish.

Our Pastor is Fr. Erwin Belgica.  

Our Lady of Grace Church contributes to the Diocese of St. Petersburg's Catholic Ministry Appeal,
diocesan Catholic Schools including St. John Paul II Catholic School in Lecanto, and many other charities.