our history

Our Lady of the Sign Church began as a mission attached to St. Basil Church of Miami. On September 8, 1979,  +Fr. Peter Lickman, of St. Basil Byzantine Catholic Church, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the home of a parishioner in North Broward County.   This was in response to a gasoline shortage. Shortly thereafter, a civic center was rented. Liturgy was celebrated at the Civic Center weekly from 1980 through August of 1988.

Bishop Michael Dudlick believed there was a tremendous potential in missionary work in the state of Florida, and invested diocesan financial support and clergy. Many parishes were established during 1970’s and 1980’s because of his vision, including Our Lady of the Sign Church.

On March 25, 1984 the mission was established as a separate parish and placed under the patronage of the Mother of God with the title of "Our Lady of the Sign". The name is taken from the book of the Prophet Isaiah: “Therefore the Lord will give this sign: The Virgin shall be with Child, and bear  a Son, and shall call Him Emmanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).

Fr. Michael Kane, Ph.D., LCSW, was assigned as the first resident pastor, and served the parish until his retirement in September 2023. Deacon Frank Shaefer assisted for many years until relocating to the Daytona beach area.

In June 1985 negotiations for property consisting of three acres and a large home in a rapidly developing area was completed. The closing took place  November 20, 1985. A building project began less than a year later.  The existing structure with additions and extensive renovations was used to construct a church. The landscaping and parking lot were completed. On August 28, 1988 the parish family finally moved into its new church and celebrated its first Divine Liturgy. On Sunday 23, 1989 Bishop Michael Dudick solemnly dedicated the church. The church seats approximately 100 people.

The sanctuary is spacious with white onyx altars and beautiful iconography. An icon screen was completed in 1993.The parish is multi-cultural as is the local area. Diverse people attend Our Lady of the Sign and make it the unique parish it is.