St. Rita's Colored Catholic Mission - New Smyrna Beach, FL
N 29° 01.485 W 080° 55.973
17R E 506535 N 3210729
The old St. Rita's Colored Catholic Mission in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007 and is now the Black Heritage Museum.
Waymark Code: WM6W45
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 07/26/2009
Views: 7
An historical marker in front of the church provides the following information:
The old St. Rita's Catholic Church Mission Building is one of the oldest surviving church buildings in the city. It was built in 1899 as the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of New Smyrna Beach, moved to this site in 1956 to serve the colored Catholics in the Westside Community, and was named St. Rita's Colored Mission Church. The building represents an important architectural landmark. The distinctive belfry, wood shingles in the gable end and pointed arch molding on the windows represent important architectural characteristics. After integration in 1969, the Diocese of Orlando converted the church into a neighborhood clinic and day care facility. The former church served that function until 1980, when the city condemned it in 1991. A committee of citizens, organized by Father Rudi Cleare of the Orlando Diocese, supported by Mark Rokowski, city planner and chaired by Mary Harrell, a retired educator and founder of the Black Heritage Festival, received state grants in 1997-98. These grants, coupled with private donations, funded the restorations, completed in 1999. The Orlando Diocese deeded the building and grounds to the Black Heritage Festival in 1999. The building currently serves as the Black Heritage Museum.
Street address:
314 Duss Street
New Smyrna Beach, FL USA
32168
County / Borough / Parish: Volusia County
Year listed: 2007
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
Periods of significance: 1899, 1956-1969
Historic function: Religion
Current function: Recreation And Culture
Privately owned?: yes
Season start / Season finish: From: 01/01/2009 To: 12/31/2009
Hours of operation: From: 12:00 PM To: 6:00 PM
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.