• Our Parish History •

On January 7, 1987, Ss. Peter & Paul The Apostles parish was formed in the Diocese of Venice, Florida. 

Father Edward D. Moretti (January 6, 1934 - July 23, 2010), who served as Episcopal Vicar in the Diocese and former pastor of St. Joseph Church in Bradenton, was selected to be the founding pastor by then Bishop John J. Nevins.

As ground broke on the wooded 40-acre parcel on 75th Street West in Bradenton (see pictures below), the first Mass was celebrated on January 10, 1987 in the gymnasium at nearby Sugg Middle School (nicknamed "St. Sugg" by the parishioners). Weekday Masses were celebrated in the auditorium at Freedom Village Retirement Center. Construction of the church was completed and dedicated by Bishop Nevins on November 19, 1989.

In September of 1990, the newly-created Memorial Garden on the east side of the church was blessed and dedicated by Fr. Moretti.

The second phase of construction for our 13,000 square foot Parish Center (with two apartments for the associate priests) began in September 1993 and was completed in April 1994. It was renamed Msgr. Moretti Center in 2012.

In June 1998 through August 1999, the final building phase took place on the remaining 20 acres south of the Parish Center. This project included three elements: an Activity Center/Gym, a Rectory, and five Priest Retirement Villas. These facilities were blessed and dedicated by Bishop John Nevins on Sunday, October 17, 1999.

For several decades the Activity Center served our very large congregation as Youth Room as well as the hub for activities including basketball, volleyball, badminton, and shuffleboard courts; a game and crafts room; and an exercise room.

Today, the building is shared by the St. Vincent de Paul office and Ave Maria Prep School, a school that serves students ages 6-22 with learning challenges in Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto and Hardee Counties.