Our Lady of Mercy and First Baptist churches
Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church on Park Avenue was built in 1950,
commissioned in 1949. It was designed by F. Burrall Hoffman, Jr., who also
designed the Crowninshield studio on Gilchrist Avenue. The courtyard is
a safe haven for a moment of quiet contemplation and to admire the
architecture of the church.
The First Baptist Church of Boca Grande just celebrated 110 years on
the island, and looks much the same today as it always did. In 2001, Pastor
Gary Beatty and others began restoration of the garden situated between
the church and parsonage. In 2005 the garden was named the “Bob and
Betty Lindner Victory Garden.” A sign at the entrances invites visitors to
“come and sit.”
Over the years, Pastor Beatty has spent countless days beautifying the
garden, often taking small houseplants that people had discarded and
transplanting them to the beautiful area.
The little hidden fishing pier,
1420 E. Railroad Avenue
At the end of a little shell
gravel path off E. Railroad
Avenue and between 13th
and 14th Streets is a shady
little fishing pier marked
with a small sign. Maintained
by Lee County, the
pier is the product of a land
swap years ago, which
required a portion of land
to be made for public use.
It’s a great spot to drop a
line and get a good look
down the Boca Grande
Bayou.
54GASPARILLA ISLAND May/June 2019