Parishioners Share Memories of the History of Our Faith Community

St. Timothy didn’t exist when Deacon Jerry Crall and his family first moved to Tampa. Several decades later, St. Timothy is now the vibrant parish where Deacon Jerry lives out his diaconate vocation.

“St. Timothy is where I live and breathe and celebrate my faith life with this community,” Deacon Jerry says. “From the beginning, St. Timothy has just been a parish of young families who are active and welcoming. That is our charism, and it has been consistent over time.”

The idea for St. Timothy came out of a period of population growth and construction in the Carrollwood area served by St. Paul Catholic Church. As membership at St. Paul increased, Fr. Austin Mullen, St. Paul’s pastor, began investigating the possibility of a mission parish.

“We had joined St. Paul when we moved here with our six children, and I remember when the parish began a sort of experiment to decide where the mission church would go,” Deacon Jerry says. “It was either going to be north or west of St. Paul.”

Beginning in September of 1983, the community started celebrating Mass in an auditorium at Claywell Elementary School in Northdale, and then after a few months, they began celebrating Mass at Citrus Park Elementary School. There was greater participation at the location in Northdale, and so the community began regularly coming together for Mass at the new Gaither High School. In January of 1985, Fr. Dennis Hughes was appointed to begin the formal process of opening the mission parish, and the community was invited to consider what the name would be. “Fr. Hughes became the founding pastor, and the name ‘St. Timothy’ began because St. Timothy was a companion of St. Paul, and the parish began as a mission parish from St. Paul,” Deacon Jerry says. “We had Sunday Mass at Gaither High School for a while, and then we rented space in a storefront until we bought the property behind Gaither and built our first church.” Around this time in the late 1980s, Brenda Covini moved to the area and had a sophomore in high school. She was concerned about relocating mid-school year and wanted to join a young parish community. A co-worker recommended St. Timothy.

“Fr. Dennis told us that at that time the average parishioner age at St. Timothy was 18,” Brenda says. “After a few months here, we just loved it. The parish has always been friendly and welcoming. When Deacon Jerry asked for help with RCIA, I immediately volunteered.”

Brenda remembers volunteering with multiple different parish ministries when space was limited. They enjoyed working together as a team.

“Because space was limited, the Bible study leaders held meetings either in the sacristy or in the mobile units,” Brenda says. “I remember using a pushcart at funerals to hold the deceased’s photo, a candle, and sometimes the cremation ashes. I sewed a fitted cloth to hide a chipped table.” One of Brenda’s favorite memories at St. Timothy has been working in the office as a receptionist in the evening and enjoying parish carnivals.

“Being a receptionist gave me a chance to meet more parishioners who attended different Masses,” Brenda says. “I also enjoyed the carnivals when everyone participated and helped with cooking, and we had children’s rides and entertainment. We had people join the parish after the carnivals as they realized how fun and friendly we are.”

After several years, the community of St. Timothy outgrew their church space, and building began on a new property in Lutz. The new church was dedicated on Dec. 7, 2002, and the community continues to grow.

“Originally they built the church itself here and a parish hall, but it has expanded,” Deacon Jerry says. “We’ve added a youth facility, a diocesan school, and a parish center.”

Today, Brenda continues to work with multiple parish ministries, including the Bereavement Ministry, and she’s grateful for the increased staff and spaces like a dedicated classroom to meet and support grieving families. “What stands out to me about St. Timothy is the people and how they are loving, helpful, dedicated and supportive,”

Brenda says. “We now have space for our over 40 ministries.

Our clergy see changes and adapt. During the pandemic, the livestream was a gift, and some of our elderly still rely on it.

St. Timothy is our family!” Like Brenda and many of us, Deacon Jerry feels deeply that St. Timothy is truly his parish community no matter what spaces we have occupied over the years. His favorite memory of the community is celebrating his first Mass as a deacon in the newly opened provisional church on May 3, 1987. “After a five-year formation program, I stood before this faith community and realized the fulfillment of my calling to the diaconate,” Deacon Jerry says. “What I had anticipated for years had come to pass. I am so grateful for this community and what we have become.”

Deacon Jerry Crall celebrates a Baptism in the provisional location.

Deacon Jerry Crall celebrates his first Mass as a deacon at St. Timothy's provisional location.