The Parish of Saint Sylvester was formed in 1979 to fill the spiritual needs of the increasing population of Gulf Breeze and Navarre.

Parishioners first celebrated in a local country club and also at the parish rectory. A year later, Saint Sylvester moved to a temporary location on Highway 98. Then in 1982, the parish moved to its current location farther East on Highway 98. As the years passed, St. Sylvester continued to grow and expanded yet again.

In 2009, parishioners built a larger church next to the old church building, which was converted into a parish activities center, and with a two-story addition used as a youth activities building.

Today, Saint Sylvester serves a large Hispanic community and continues to be a flourishing and growing community of faith in Santa Rosa County.

Written by Phillip Reynolds, Student, Pensacola Catholic High school, 2011.

Copyright Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, 2011.