| We are an orthodox Anglican parish in an island resort community. We exist to glorify and proclaim God as revealed in Jesus Christ. We welcome all who seek Him and his love. Our year-round parishioners very actively support the life of our church. Our seasonal members and visitors enrich our congregation and complete our church family.
TOGETHER, we glorify and proclaim God through sacrament, word and deed.
Saint Raphael's is located in a quiet residential area, on a circle of land, across from the back bay on Estero Island. The church plant includes the Parish Hall, Church and Rectory (which is now a retreat home for clergy in need of R&R).
St. Raphael's was founded by a devout group of 20 Fort Myers Beach Episcopalians who petitioned the Diocese for permission to organize a Mission on March 5, 1951.
The first service in the newly built church was December 1953 and the dedication of the Church by the Bishop was January 31, 1954, with 42 communicants.
The Rectory (Vicarage) was built by members of the congregation and completed in October 1956. It was completely modernized, updated and redocorated in 2006.
The parish hall was built in 1958 and became a center for local organizations such as AA, AARP, girl scouts, young peoples dances and church activities.
Over the years, many improvements have been done to the buildings and grounds. We have a beautiful Columbarium with a Cremains Garden outside behind the Altar. A new wall and statue of Jesus by the sculptor Don Wilkins were dedicated on All Souls day, November 2001.
On January 21, 2003 St. Raphael's was designated as a historical resource by the Town of Fort Myers Beach (one of only eight designations to date).
We publish a newsletter, The Beachcomber, monthly for distribution to our members and friends alike. They are archived here for you to review. If you would like to be included in the Beachcomber distribution, please sign up below!
Click on any of the date links below to review that month's Beachcomber.
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