In 1980, the St. Bernadette Hall building was erected to house the cafeteria, art room, music room, physical education locker room, and office.
During the summer of 1997, the convent was converted into our Early Childhood Center.
The faculty and staff members, through their utmost dedication and varied contributions, continue to make Lourdes Academy the great school it
is today.
During the summer of 1997, the convent was converted into our Early Childhood Center.
The faculty and staff members, through their utmost dedication and varied contributions, continue to make Lourdes Academy the great school it
is today.
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church was founded on the Feast of the Immaculate
Conception on Dec 8, 1953 with Fr. Michael Kelly as the first pastor. It was
canonically established on March 24, 1954 by Archbishop Joseph Hurley of St.
Augustine, and later became part of the new diocese of Orlando in 1968 with
William Borders as the first bishop.
Conception on Dec 8, 1953 with Fr. Michael Kelly as the first pastor. It was
canonically established on March 24, 1954 by Archbishop Joseph Hurley of St.
Augustine, and later became part of the new diocese of Orlando in 1968 with
William Borders as the first bishop.
The plan for Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church included a church, school, rectory, and convent on what was originally a golf course. Initially,
services were held in the Daytona Plaza Hotel. When the school “cafetorium” was completed in 1954, it also served as the church. The current
Church was dedicated on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, February 11, 1982 by Bishop Grady. The former Church was then converted into our
Community Center.
services were held in the Daytona Plaza Hotel. When the school “cafetorium” was completed in 1954, it also served as the church. The current
Church was dedicated on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, February 11, 1982 by Bishop Grady. The former Church was then converted into our
Community Center.
The establishment of Our Lady of Lourdes School
created the need for religious sisters who could
serve as teachers and administrators. Archbishop
Hurley had visited Ireland many times in the early
fifties, inviting religious sisters and priests to come
to Florida and preach the Good News. Through
his invitation, in 1954 the Sisters of Mercy from
the community in Navan, Ireland made their way to
Daytona Beach. Sr. Mary Clare (right) served as
the first principal.
created the need for religious sisters who could
serve as teachers and administrators. Archbishop
Hurley had visited Ireland many times in the early
fifties, inviting religious sisters and priests to come
to Florida and preach the Good News. Through
his invitation, in 1954 the Sisters of Mercy from
the community in Navan, Ireland made their way to
Daytona Beach. Sr. Mary Clare (right) served as
the first principal.
The Sisters went to live in a temporary home and were able to move into their new
convent in December 1961, the building which now serves as our Early Childhood
Center. The founding Sisters of Mercy played an integral part in the establishment of
this great school. Throughout the sixties and seventies, they were the principal
educators, instilling in their students strong moral values, discipline, and structure. In
the early eighties, lay personnel became more involved as the members of the Sisters
of Mercy retired and left the area. We were blessed that in the nineties, a few sisters
were still part of our community. The last of our Sisters of Mercy with their great
vocation, dedication, and spiritual uplifting, retired in May of 2000.
convent in December 1961, the building which now serves as our Early Childhood
Center. The founding Sisters of Mercy played an integral part in the establishment of
this great school. Throughout the sixties and seventies, they were the principal
educators, instilling in their students strong moral values, discipline, and structure. In
the early eighties, lay personnel became more involved as the members of the Sisters
of Mercy retired and left the area. We were blessed that in the nineties, a few sisters
were still part of our community. The last of our Sisters of Mercy with their great
vocation, dedication, and spiritual uplifting, retired in May of 2000.
| 1014 North Halifax Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL. 32118 * PH: 386.252.0391 * FAX: 386-238-1175 www.lourdesacademy.net |