Time Line of Pastors

The property at 701 Gamble was purchased in 1942 and sat unused until local support for the building was generated in 1950 by Dr. Edwin M. Thorpe, Florida A&M University registrar.

Historical records show that the successful development of a viable Catholic community at Florida A&M University was largely due to the work of a single priest, Father Salvatore Profeta, who from 1953-1957 served as the first fulltime pastor. The 1976 "Gracida" describes his impact as follows: "During that time he called forth a small community who remain to this day the strength of the black Catholic leadership in Tallahassee. The number was small but the dedication was generous, courageous and enduring."

Founders

From 1957 to 1976, the history of St. Eugene Chapel is sketchy. What is known is that following Father Profeta's departure, priests assigned to Blessed Sacrament Parish served the liturgical and sacramental needs of St. Eugene. From 1976 to 1983, the building was no longer used for Catholic religious activities, but rather, served as a nursery, a protestant church and a residence for Korean Families.

In June, 1990, Father Sebastian "Seb" Naslund, was appointed pastor and the chapel was reopened in August. Father Seb had a vision, skills and passion to rebuild the Catholic community.

In the summer of 1992, Father Semanhyia Boateng-Mensah, affectionately known as "Father Boat," was appointed Chaplain and administrator. He served in that capacity for eleven years before moving to Boca Raton, Florida.

During the fall of 2003, St. Eugene welcomed Rev. Fr. Ilesanmi Osasona, MSP, a priest of  the Missionary Society of St Paul of Nigeria, as pastor and administrator.

On December 26, 2007, St Eugene Chapel bade farewell to Rev. Felix Ilesanmi Osasona MSP, who was appointed to  his Society's Office of Mission Development in Houston Texas.

St. Eugene Chapel welcomed Rev. Georginus Ejiofor Ugwu MSP of the same Missionary Society of St Paul of Nigeria, as the new chaplain and administrator. Co-incidentally, Rev Ejiofor and Rev Ilesanmi were born in the same month of the same year, and also were classmates in the seminary and were ordained priests for the Missions, together on June 24, 2000, in Abuja Nigeria.