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Don Boyd | all galleries >> Memories of Old Hialeah, Old Miami and Old South Florida Photo Galleries - largest non-Facebook collection on the internet >> DOWNTOWN Miami, Bayfront Park and Port of Miami Historical Photos Gallery - All Years - click on image to view > 1940's - Gesu Catholic Church, downtown Miami
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1940's From a postcard

1940's - Gesu Catholic Church, downtown Miami

Downtown Miami, Florida


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Manuel Perez de la Mesa 04-Oct-2023 21:43
I went to Gesu from 1961-1966, starting in pre-K through third grade. Miami was in the midst of change and Gesu was at the center of it. Have fond memories of those years including Sister John Anthony and Mrs. Casey. My sister Vivian, one year younger, and brother, Albert, four years younger, attended Gesu as well.
Gilda Bodine 22-Feb-2023 15:31
I went to Gesu School during 1961 as a Cuban refugee, together with my sister Irma and my brother Luis. Our teacher was Ms. Dorta-Duque & she was very nice. I wish I could reconnect with classmates Karely & Martha Miguez and Nidia Viera. It was very kind of Gesu Catholic Church to allow us to attend this school tuition free. In fact the only good meal we had then was the school lunch. Many blessings to all. Gilda Garcia Alfonso.
Cecile Intriago 22-Oct-2021 23:26
I attended Gest School from 4th grade till 1959. Great memories. Would love to reunite with any classmates. I graduated from 9th grade in 1959.

Cecile Intriago
Email. Cecilesells@gmaail.com.
Any classmates. Eddie Verguizas contact me we were in same classes.
Eileen Rice (nee Abreu) 09-Nov-2020 16:04
I attended Gesu 1965-1969. I loved Mrs Casey with her beautiful Swedish braids She’d bite her knuckles when she was upset with us but never showed anger or unkindness. I have no doubt she’s in heaven. My sixth grade teacher, Miss Janet (wish I could know if she’s still living) was another favorite. She was kind and even took those of us who stayed in after-school care out for ice cream. She even drove to my house to tell my parents I needed glasses. Can’t imagine teachers today doing that. I had Mrs. Tynan in fifth grade (she liked me but had a deep dislike for Cubans, to say the least) and my fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Greer??? was evil incarnate. What an up happy woman she was. Still, I received an outstanding education there and went on to attend school and teach until I retired from teaching in 2004.
JACKIE COOK 04-Oct-2020 03:55
I attended Gesu School for the 3rd & 4th grade. I remember some of my teachers but the only name I know is Sister Mary Raymond and her having us carry cases to hold our book. Big bulky things made of a leather type material. We hated them! We had a festival in Oct. like a Halloween party but they weren't called that. I made my first confession, communion and confirmation while there with processions when we wore white dresses and veils. I loved that part. This is way back about 1950. Most of all in the church I loved the swell of the candles we burnt and put in the little red holders. I went back in 2002 and the smell was still there although they were using different type candles. I was also very sad to see that the school had been torn down for a parking lot! I remember so many things about being there and they are a joy to remember!
Alejandro Trujillo 14-Aug-2020 02:10
I went to Gesu from 1968 throught 1976 first through 8th. I loved my school, my friends and my memories. Sister M. Trinita Mccarthy was my friend and principle. My teachers mrs. Aida, father Quevedo and mrs Alonso are responsible for helping me recognize my capabilities. I can only wish the school would still stand so I could give back.
Betty Slade 20-Apr-2018 18:23
I attend Gesu Church from 1948-1950 off and on. It is a long story, but Fr. Michael Watters used to do shadow animals on the walls in the arcade in front of the church (as shown on this site in the postcard). I was about 9 and my mother was working at the drugstore nearby so I wandered the streets for hours and saw Fr. Watters with kids and I approached. That changed my life. Fr. Watters met my mom and began to have me stay around the priest's offices when my mom was working. I became a Catholic about 1948, baptized by Fr. McCarthy who was a priest. I received my first holy communion a year later. I attended a boarding school names Academy of the Assumption on Brickell Avenue but came home on weekends. Seeing this photo, I researched what happened to Father Watters and learned he was born in Ireland, studied in Washington State, and died and was buried in Louisiana. It has been wonderful remember Fr. Watters and Gesu Catholic Church.
Blanca Cobos 27-Mar-2017 05:41
Guest
I went to Gesu School my teacher's name was Mrs. Casey. I can't remember very much, but I do remember a few of my classmates. The School was behind the Gesu Church where I made my first communion when I was 12, in 1953. I never had any problem with my teachers. Memories. I have 5 sons, 9 grand children's and 7 great grand children's. I live in Elgin, Illinois.
Eddie Verguizas 23-Feb-2015 20:07
I went to the school from 1950-1959. Right about Rose Casey. She was a great teacher and I still have very fond memories of her as also Sister Mary Raymond, my fourth grade teacher, and Sister Perpetua for seventh. I can't believe Mrs. Casey was still there in 66-67. Phillip Creed (9th) and Agnes Tynan (5th) were lay teachers there as well. The less said about Sister Veronica (8th) the better. The principal most of my time there was Mother Theresa. The French call the first grades the maternal ones and that is my impression of most of the women teachers then.: they showed a maternal care about us kids.
Theresa 11-Dec-2013 21:11
I went to Gesu Catholic School from 1st to 4th grade - from 1964 -1967. I also had Sister John Anthony in 2nd grade and she wasn't very nice. I had Sister Mary Ruth for first grade, Mrs. Casey for third grade, who I loved and Sister Celeste for fourth grade. I remember Father Sweeney and playing outside on the concrete between the school and the convent where the nuns lived.
Don Boyd15-Nov-2013 02:47
I want to thank everyone for posting their memories, good and bad, of the school at Gesu. It gives visitors to this site a valuable insight about the school from the students' perspective. Keep the comments coming please.

Don
.
Alicia 12-Nov-2013 15:29
I went to GESU school from 1966-1973 all through 8th grade. They were the best years in school of my life. I loved the nuns and the priests. The teachers were great especially Mrs. Cano and sister Olga. I loved Father Sweeney's sermons and the school festivals we used to have. I used to go to mass with my mom, father, and brother on Sundays, and I used to sing in the choir with fellow students. I loved teh school and the church. They were great memories.
Guest 13-Oct-2013 02:34
I attended Gesu school from 1st grade until 5th grade (1964-1969)...I also had a horrible nun in second grade namesd Sister John Anthony. Nasty. Mean. On the other hand, I had a lovely teacher, Mrs Casey in third grade. All in all, this school just housed children in over crowed classrooms. Not very good memories at all.
alissa 30-Jun-2012 13:08
Hello to "Guest" who posted about bad experiences at the school. I posted a few posts before yours how I hated Citrus Grove and it was full of bullies, not just the kids but a few teachers, especially Neil Schneider, the phys ed teacher who was a sadistic S.O.B. If any teacher behaved the way he did now, he would be arrested! He was horrible and abusive. I'm sorry what happened to you, things that happened to me to still bother me 30 yrs later. I wish we could talk or email one day. Alissa
Guest 20-Jun-2012 21:23
I attended Gesu School from 1975 to 1978, from beginning of Kindergarten to finishing Second Grade. Yes the church was beautiful, but that was the only beautiful thing related in any way to this school. Sister M. Trinita Mccarthy was nothing but a bullying monster who turned my early years of life into a life destruction memory that I continue to have nightmares about more than 30 years later. There was physical, mental, and even sexual abuse going on left and right at this school. To date the happiest times of my life have been 2: the day my mother told me I was changing schools, and the day I learned Gesu School would be demolished. if it would not have been for Father Vallina (who is not even mentioned in the schools bio!) I probably would be an atheist today instead of a Catholic. I think the city's decision to demolish Gesu School and just keep the church is the best decision it has ever made and if I ever learn who was the politician who approved this decision, i would vote for him for President. ZT
Guest 20-Jun-2012 21:23
I attended Gesu School from 1975 to 1978, from beginning of Kindergarten to finishing Second Grade. Yes the church was beautiful, but that was the only beautiful thing related in any way to this school. Sister M. Trinita Mccarthy was nothing but a bullying monster who turned my early years of life into a life destruction memory that I continue to have nightmares about more than 30 years later. There was physical, mental, and even sexual abuse going on left and right at this school. To date the happiest times of my life have been 2: the day my mother told me I was changing schools, and the day I learned Gesu School would be demolished. if it would not have been for Father Vallina (who is not even mentioned in the schools bio!) I probably would be an atheist today instead of a Catholic. I think the city's decision to demolish Gesu School and just keep the church is the best decision it has ever made and if I ever learn who was the politician who approved this decision, i would vote for him for President. ZT
Sharon Elliott Dillon 15-Jun-2011 01:00
+I went to Gesu School in the 1950's. The church was changed in the 1960's, The alter was moved forward. I too went to Royal Castle for a frosted mug. I still stop by when I am in the area. It is a very comforting place.
alissa 23-Apr-2011 14:34
Gesu is the most beautiful church in Miami. As a child in the 1950's my mother would take me there. She worked downtown in the old "Southern Bell" building and would go on her lunch hour. My first time there I was 5. Different times during my life I would go there and now that I am 58 and working downtown again, I go there during MY lunch hour. What I love about this church is that it hasn't changed, its the only place left where time has 'stood still'. I get a calm feeling when I'm in there, that 'old Miami' atmosphere before all the problems and over-building happened still exists inside there. I didn't attend the school but I do remember seeing the kids there in their uniforms. I used to wish I could attend instead of my regular public school (Citrus Grove) which I hated as it was full of bullies. Anyway, not to digress, I hope this church lasts another 100 years.
Mary Anne C 12-Mar-2011 05:10
Mom and I used to ride the Coast Cities Coaches bus to downtown or Little River from East Hialeah in the 50s. I remember she took me to Gesu's bookstore to purchase my first Bible.
marian sperber 03-May-2010 08:51
We moved to Miami in 1946...We lived in the Rice Hotel, 30 N. Miami Ave. & walked to church..We would stop at Royal Castle after church best $.05 Birch Beers in a frosted glass mug....& 3" square hamburgers & FF....Gesu was also a School...I used to go & see Father Water's he was my friend so I could play Basketball any time I wanted to...Gesu was the most beautiful church in Miami.....Sometimes we would skip church & go see Uncle Gordan who read the Sunday funnies on the radio....That's how Mom knew when we skipped church....lol
glen wilbur 04-Mar-2010 13:26
My father sometimes took me here during the middle 60`s. I remember how grand it was. after mass we would walk to a sub shop, can`t remember the name!
Mari Cortes 27-Oct-2009 16:59
Thank you for this great Photo, I attended Gesu Catholic School from Pre school to 8th Grade, the school was behide the church and attended mass services 4 times a week with the Nuns and the Priest was Father Sweeney. This is the most beautiful Church in Miami.