Reverend Father Thomas S. Willis
Priest - The Basilica of St. Augustine
St. Augustine, FL
St. Augustine, FL
Father Tom was born in St. Augustine, Florida and has had an interest in the history since he was a child. The Basilica of St. Augustine is a one of the more outstanding historical institutions in the Nation’s Oldest City and having Father Tom on the UFHSA board will provide a wonderful resource and great local leader.
When he was asked by the Bishop to be pastor of the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Augustine in 2008, it seemed to be a unique blessing. As the City and Parish were preparing for the celebrations of our 450th Anniversary of the City, he was asked to serve on any number of commissions to help plan the festivities and to help in formulating plans to best tell the history and stories of St. Augustine. As the pastor of America’s First Catholic Parish, this unique distinction has shaped the colonial history in an important way.
Father Tom believes that becoming a member of the University of Florida Historic St. Augustine Board will open another avenue to help preserve and promote the distinctive history in our nation and world.