Visitation for Monsignor Laurence Higgins continues Tuesday at St. Lawrence Catholic Church.
Higgins passed away last week at the age of 85. He founded St. Lawrence Catholic Church and School and was pastor for 49 years.
- Monsignor Laurence Higgins visitation, funeral this week
- Both will be open to the public
- Higgins died last week at the age of 87
When 87-year-old Eleanor Brown walked into the church for the visitation, she said she was transported back 50 years to Higgins' beginning days in Tampa.
"We were in the garage way over there by Jesuit High School, and they would have daily mass, and my husband and I would go there," Brown said.
Higgins came to Tampa in 1958 and was given 20 acres of cow pasture to turn into a permanent church.
"He was just perfect in every way in just talking to people and getting everyone to know everyone and having little meetings," Brown said.
Throughout the day, people filtered in and out of the church to say their final goodbye.
"He was loved by everyone," parishioner Barbara Bell said. "You couldn't have met him and known him or even just passed by and not loved him. He had that kind of karma. Everybody loved him, everyone."
"It was hard to see him because he was so vibrant, you know. It's just hard,” parishioner Joan Alexander said.
Visitation continues on Tuesday from noon to 9 p.m.
The funeral mass will be at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday with graveside services to follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery.