of Manatee County

 

Welcome to the Flynn Residence!  Originally built in 1888, this home began its life as the first Catholic Church in Manatee County, dedicated to the Sacred Heart.  Its original location was six blocks east at First Avenue West and 31st Street West, where Captain Bartholomew “Tole” Fogarty and his wife Mary Ellen generously donated two and a half acres of land — along with the lumber — to Bishop Moore of the Diocese of St. Augustine to establish a Catholic church on their property.

 

On July 18th of that year, Father Henry Peter Clavreul celebrated the first Mass with just sixteen parishioners in attendance. Soon after, the Jesuit Fathers from Tampa took over care of the Mission, nurturing its growth as Bradentown (now Bradenton) began to flourish.

 

By the 1920s, as the town expanded, the church was decommissioned and transformed into a private residence. It was relocated six blocks west to its current site. Though smaller parlor rooms were added during this time, many original architectural features remain — most notably the two front doors and two back doors. While the interior has evolved over time, the exterior retains much of its 1888 charm.

 

After passing through several owners and falling into disrepair, the home was lovingly restored in the early 2000s. In 2006, a thoughtful addition was built on the east side, introducing a spacious master suite and a large family room. One of the Flynns’ favorite aspects of the home is how seamlessly the old and new blend together — it is nearly impossible to tell where the original structure ends and the addition begins. They also treasure the many built-in features found throughout the house, which add character and functionality.

 

The Flynn family, who are parishioners at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, purchased the residence in 2016. Since then, they have raised their four children in this warm and storied home. They hope you enjoy this tour as much as they have cherished living in this piece of Bradenton history.