To watch a DVD about the history of the Diocese of Orlando between 1968 - 2008 click here.

There is a long and exciting history of Catholicism in Florida that precedes the formation of the Diocese of Orlando. In the 16th century, Spanish explorers searching for untold riches in the new world found the Florida peninsula, which they claimed for Spanish royalty. They worked tirelessly to form missions and build churches to celebrate and practice their devout Catholic faith.

In 1870, the Diocese of St. Augustine was formed and, for nearly a century, presided over the entire state of Florida.

Joseph Patrick Hurley was Bishop of the Diocese of Saint Augustine, beginning in 1940. He predicted the future of Florida Catholic growth and initiated a comprehensive plan of real estate procurement for parishes. He employed sophisticated purchasing strategies, such as the use of airplanes to circle cities from the air and gauge suburban sprawl.

In 1958, as the population started to dramatically increase around Miami, the southern half of Florida became its own Catholic territory, the Diocese of Miami.

Ten years later, population numbers justified another split and the central part of Florida became the Diocese of Orlando on June 18, 1968.