BARTOW | Father Eugene Grytner, pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, had a vision of adding an Adoration Chapel to the church so people could pray with Jesus all the time. He wasn’t sure it was possible, but he says, “There was God’s finger in it. I never dreamed that it will be, you know, so beautiful and so many things (would) come, unexpected.”

He first had the idea more than a year ago. The parish offered three opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration weekly, but many could not come at the designated times. So, when he proposed raising funds to build a chapel with perpetual access, parishioners overwhelmingly responded. Donations came for the cost of the windows, pews, art, prayer and more.

The ground was blessed on March 25, 2026, and work began that week. By the end of July, construction was complete, just in time for contractors to figure out how to move the 4,000-pound solid marble altar into the chapel through the 36-inch door, place it and not crack any tiles.

Parishioners have access to the chapel via coded entry. Just outside to the left is a life-size statue of St. John Paul II praying. Above the door is a guardian angel flanked by stained glass windows depicting the chalice and host. The small, 450-square-foot chapel houses a tabernacle. The first door of the tabernacle opens to reveal the large host when adorers are present. On the wall behind the marble altar is a quote from Padre Pio which came to Father Grytner during construction, “Pray, hope and do not worry.” Handmade metal candlesticks guard the tabernacle, alerting God’s presence. Above is a mosaic of the Holy Spirit.

Maureen Leckie was born in Bartow and grew up going to church at St. Thomas Aquinas. A regular adorer she said, “For me, being able to just sit with the Blessed Sacrament, being with the Real Presence of God in our Adoration Chapel, whenever I feel the need for this closeness, it’s just such a gift for us.”

She recalled often praying during Adoration for the successful completion of the chapel. “I still work and to be able to now stop before I go to work is just such a wonderful time to be able to sit with God and think about your day,” she said. “I feel that it is here where we draw our strengths. And as we learn more and have that desire to become more like God in all that we say and do and ask for His help, this is the place to find that courage, to do whatever His will is in my life.” She said she enjoys the quiet amidst the business of life and laying it all before Him.

Fifty years ago, Martha Laurent’s family moved to Bartow. She was in college but returned to raise her family after she married. She loved the idea of the Adoration Chapel from the start. As the one who arranges the flowers in the church, she had regular access to time to spend before the Blessed Sacrament. Recognizing not all had frequent access, she said, “I think the chapel has added the possibility for more of an intimate personal encounter with our Lord. And I think that the people who were adoring before are more apt to go now even more because it’s available 24/7.” Even she finds herself visiting Jesus more often. Most recently she took her 3-year-old grandson.

“It’s just a beautiful, holy place. And I just knew all along that it would be. And I really believe in my heart that it’s going to draw more Eucharistic adorers.”

That is also Father Grytner’s hope.

“The Eucharist is the source of our belief,” Father Grytner said. “So, people should be close to this. And then, you know, the piety will grow and in people, the faith will be strengthened.”

Bishop John Noonan blessed the chapel Aug. 15, 2026, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the 15th anniversary of Father Grytner’s arrival in Bartow as the parish priest.

Watch Bishop Noonan blessing the chapel here.

By Glenda Meekins of the Florida Catholic staff, September 4, 2026