St. Patrick Catholic Church (Miami Beach, Florida)

Father William Barry was born in Ireland and ordained a priest in the Cathedral of Baltimore for the Diocese of St. Augustine in June 1910.

[citation needed] The first mass was celebrated in Miami Beach Gardens theater on 41st Street and Alton Road on Sunday, May 13th, 1926.

[1] Carl G. Fisher, a non-Catholic, donated five polo stables to Father Barry for use as a church and school for St. Patrick Parish.

[citation needed] After the September 17, 1926 hurricane, Father Barry and a committee of parishioners chose a site of twelve lots between 39th and 40th streets for a new church, rectory, convent, school, recreation hall, and auditorium.

[citation needed] In 1942, Miami Beach became host to an OCS Army base.