Tampa Bay’s beach communities have marked one year since the severe storms that struck in late 2024. The storms caused significant damage to several barrier island churches, many of which are still recovering. St John Vianney Catholic Church and School, which has been in the area for nearly a century, experienced flooding that destroyed all 14 classroom buildings. The school will not reopen, but the congregation gathered in the church sanctuary to observe the anniversary and discuss recovery efforts.
St. Albans, located nearby, remains closed to the public, and its thrift store, The Attic Shoppe on Corey, is also closed. The Church by the Sea in Madeira Beach, known for its distinctive steeple, was affected by floodwaters and sand. The church resumed in-person Sunday services by May 2025, and its thrift store has reopened with limited hours. The main office is still closed, but staff are available by phone or text as repairs continue.
In Pass-a-Grille, the original church building on Ninth Avenue, now the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum, is still closed and may reopen after receiving funding from the 2025-26 Pinellas County budget. The Pass-a-Grille Community Church, located on 16th Avenue, recently held its first indoor services since the flood. On November 9, 2025, the church also reopened its thrift store, which is operated by volunteers…