In 1948, Father Philip Lambert convinced Bishop T.J. Toolen that he should be celebrating Sunday Mass for the few Catholics in Gulf Shores at that time. We began as a mission from St. Matthew’s Parish in Elsanor. Mass was celebrated in Romeo’s Restaurant and confessions were heard before Mass in Father’s car. Winters were poor and empty back then, so Father Lambert celebrated Christmas every July 4th when the summer crowd peaked. Sometimes using “The Little Casino” and/or a small wooden hotel, they came to realize their need for a permanent place to worship. Land was donated by pioneer realtor George C. Meyer and with a Robertsdale contractor, Alex Lennicx, and a Sears catalog, Father Lambert built the original church for only $19,000 in 1952. In 1971, Monsignor Lambert retired and Monsignor George Royer became the new Pastor. Gradually, northern guests began to breathe life into the winters. Monsignor Royer retired in 1977, succeeded by Monsignor Joseph Adams. In 1979, on September 12, Hurricane Frederick devastated Gulf Shores; but the Church stood unharmed. Monsignor Adams died in January 1981 and Father Barry Desmond took over the reins. He started a building fund for a larger sanctuary. We were growing!

Father Desmond recognized the need for further education of the children of the parish and had a new C.C.D. building erected. He retired on October 25, 1985 and was succeeded by Father Anthony Zoghby in November.