St. Anselm's Episcopal Church
Lehigh Acres FL
33972-4399
Who we are
Welcome to St. Anselm Episcopal/Anglican Church
Saint Anselm is one of thousands of congregations in the Episcopal/Anglican Church. We are a member of the Diocese of Southwest Florida led by Bishop Dabney Smith. We are also a member of a subdivision of this diocese called a deanery. We belong to the Fort Myers Deanery. Our current dean is William Dodd from Saint Michael's and All Angels of Sanibel Island.
Saint Anselm Episcopal/Anglican Church has been serving Lehigh Acres since April 23, 1961 when services were first held in the offices of the Lehigh Acres Development Company. We are a Christ-centered congregation of love, spirituality, service, and evangelism.
Saint Anselm is a family of God that is seeking to know God and to make God known. We seek to discover what God intends for us to be and to do in God's world.
Our Purpose is to:
1. Continuously participate in a personal relationship with Jesus and constantly experience and express delight and joy in all aspects of our lives because of that relationship.
2. Proclaim Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit, so that we and others will come to know Him more fully as Savior and follow Him as Lord.
3. Make visible the Good News of Jesus Christ through our fellowship and sharing.
4. Be a witness for Jesus to the world by word and example through talking about him and serving him both within and outside the church. Our Mission Statement
By the power of God working in us, we seek to renew our lives daily. We pledge to be guided and transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, and we commit to show Faith, Hope, and Love in action.
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Saint Anselm is one of thousands of congregations in the Episcopal/Anglican Church. We are a member of the Diocese of Southwest Florida led by Bishop Dabney Smith. We are also a member of a subdivision of this diocese called a deanery. We belong to the Fort Myers Deanery. Our current dean is William Dodd from Saint Michael's and All Angels of Sanibel Island.
Saint Anselm Episcopal/Anglican Church has been serving Lehigh Acres since April 23, 1961 when services were first held in the offices of the Lehigh Acres Development Company. We are a Christ-centered congregation of love, spirituality, service, and evangelism.
Saint Anselm is a family of God that is seeking to know God and to make God known. We seek to discover what God intends for us to be and to do in God's world.
Our Purpose is to:
1. Continuously participate in a personal relationship with Jesus and constantly experience and express delight and joy in all aspects of our lives because of that relationship.
3. Make visible the Good News of Jesus Christ through our fellowship and sharing.
4. Be a witness for Jesus to the world by word and example through talking about him and serving him both within and outside the church. Our Mission Statement
By the power of God working in us, we seek to renew our lives daily. We pledge to be guided and transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, and we commit to show Faith, Hope, and Love in action.
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Church Website
St. Anselm's Episcopal Church on Social Media
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Leadership
Leader Name:
The Reverend Panel Guerrier Â
Leader Position:
Vicar Â
Phone:
Fax:
(239) 369-6144 Â
Leader Email:
Click here to contact The Reverend Panel Guerrier Â
St. Anselm's Episcopal Church Service Times
Weekly Service Schedule
Sunday: The Holy Eucharist - 9:00 AM (Rite II)
Thursdays - Bible Study and Service. 5:30 PM
Confessions by appointment
Pastoral Care
For pastoral care to the sick and shut-in, or to contact the Vicar in an emergency, please call the office at 239-369-1916 and your call will be forwarded to the Vicar
It's been more than 8 months since the last service times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm service times.
Please contact the church to confirm Service Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
Sunday: The Holy Eucharist - 9:00 AM (Rite II)
Thursdays - Bible Study and Service. 5:30 PM
Confessions by appointment
Pastoral Care
For pastoral care to the sick and shut-in, or to contact the Vicar in an emergency, please call the office at 239-369-1916 and your call will be forwarded to the Vicar
It's been more than 8 months since the last service times update. Please make sure to contact the church to confirm service times.
Please contact the church to confirm Service Times or SUBSCRIBE to updates below
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Sunday School / Children and Youth Activities
Under 18s:
Youth Group
The youth of Saint Anselm are a very important part of our congregation. Episcopal Church Youth meets on the fourth Saturday of the month at 4:00 PM. Our youth assist the parish during fund raisers, worship services, and many other functions. We attempt to make ECY a blend of spiritual service and fun activities. The primary purpose of the youth group is learning to take the message of Jesus' love to others in gentle ways. Â
The youth of Saint Anselm are a very important part of our congregation. Episcopal Church Youth meets on the fourth Saturday of the month at 4:00 PM. Our youth assist the parish during fund raisers, worship services, and many other functions. We attempt to make ECY a blend of spiritual service and fun activities. The primary purpose of the youth group is learning to take the message of Jesus' love to others in gentle ways. Â
Other information
St. Anselm's Episcopal Church History
St. Anselm Episcopal/Anglican Church has been serving Lehigh Acres since April 23, 1961 when services were first held in the offices of the Lehigh Acres Development Company. The present building was occupied on June 3, 1965 and the finished church was dedicated to the service of Almighty God on December 19, 1965 by the Rt. Reverend Harwood Sturtevant. The current rectory was built in 1968. The Parish Hall was dedicated on June 6, 1974.
St. Anselm of Canterbury was a Benedictine monk, a philosopher, and a prelate of the Church who held the office of Archbishop of Canterbury from 1093 to 1109. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. Called the founder of scholasticism, he is famous as the originator of the ontological argument for the existence of God.
History of Our Church Spring of 1961 – Under the direction and leadership of the Reverend Arthur H. Smith, Rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Ft. Myers, meetings were held to establish a Mission Episcopal Church.
April 23, 1961 - The Church of St. Anselm, then an Episcopal Mission, held its first service in the Penthouse of the Country Club. The Reverend Arthur H. Smith officiate at the service.
May 1, 1961 – A letter was drafted to The Rt. Reverend Henry I. Louttit, Bishop of South Florida, requesting a meeting with the Representatives of the Petitioners of the community asking approval for the authorization and establishment of an Episcopal Mission in Lehigh Acres.
October 7, 1962 – The Reverend Canon Lloyd Cox from the Sarasota Deanery begins serving as Vicar of St. Anselm with services continuing at the Country club Penthouse.
October 8, 1962 – St. Anselm Vestry held their first meeting.
December 1963 – The Episcopal Church Women (E.C.W.) was organized.
September 1, 1964 – The Reverend Gordon L. Graser was appointed full time Vicar.
October 7, 1964 – The Reverend Lloyd A. Cox, dean of Ft. Myers Deanery, and The Reverend Gordon L. Graser accepted delivery of the deed for four acres property on Joel Boulevard from Gerald H. Gould, President of Lehigh Acres Development Corporation for the site of St. Anselm Episcopal Church.
June 12, 1965 – Ground breaking ceremony was held for a new Church on Joel Boulevard
December 19, 1965 – St. Anselm Episcopal Church was dedicated and blessed by The Rt. Reverend Bishop Harwood Sturtevant, retired Bishop of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, who was acting on behalf on behalf of the Rt. Reverend Henry L Loutit, Bishop of South Florida. He was assisted by the Reverend Gordon L. Graser. Approximately 200 people witness the dedication. The toll of the first church bell in Lehigh Acres was heard when Mrs. E. D. MacQuaig, who donated the bell to St. Anselm, pulled the cord. The bell was cast in Troy, New York in 1864.
1966 – 1966 - The Reverend Lewis Heck served as Interim Priest.
1967 – 1970 - The Reverend Ralph Johnson served as Vicar
1970 – 1970 - The Reverend Walter R. Scott served as Vicar
1970 – 1971 - The Reverend Dwight A. Filkins served as Vicar
1971 – 1972 - The Reverend Walter R. Scott served as Vicar
1972 – 1975 - The Reverend Anthony W. VanHam served as Vicar
1971 – The Men’s Club was organized
1972 – The first Sunday School Class with 5 teachers and 17 children
1974 – The Choir was organized
April 1974 – Ground breaking ceremony was held for a new Parish Hall.
June 6, 1974 – The Parish Hall was dedicated and blessed by The Rt. Reverend Bishop Hargraves.
1976 – St. Anselm Chapter of the Daughters of The King received Charter.
1975 – 1979 – The Reverend Robert G. Bramlett served as Vicar
August 1, 1982 – The Reverend Robert B. Doing formerly of St. James Church, Winston, Connecticut, became Vicar of St. Anselm.
October 26, 1984 – Mission was accepted as a Parish at the Diocesan Convention. Serving as Vicar, the Reverend Robert B. Doing became the Rector upon Parish status.
May 3, 1987 – The new addition to the Church Hall was dedicated with service of Praise and Thanksgiving conducted by the Reverend Robert Scott, former Vicar, the Reverend Clyde Wilson. Vicar Emeritus, and the Reverend Robert Doing.
1988 – The Reverend Raymond Turner served as Assistant Priest to the Reverend Robert Doing.
1995 – 1996 – The Reverend Hewitt V. Johnston served as Interim Priest
February 2, 1997 – 2003 - The Reverend Roy E. McLuen served as Rector.
April 2003 - St. Anselm became a Mission Episcopal Church and Pastoral Services were provided by St. Luke Episcopal Church, Fort Myers.
July 1, 2004 – May 2005 – The Reverend Ben Pardo served as Vicar
May 2005 –To Present – The Reverend Marcel Algernon now serves as Vicar.
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History of Our Church Spring of 1961 – Under the direction and leadership of the Reverend Arthur H. Smith, Rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Ft. Myers, meetings were held to establish a Mission Episcopal Church.
April 23, 1961 - The Church of St. Anselm, then an Episcopal Mission, held its first service in the Penthouse of the Country Club. The Reverend Arthur H. Smith officiate at the service.
May 1, 1961 – A letter was drafted to The Rt. Reverend Henry I. Louttit, Bishop of South Florida, requesting a meeting with the Representatives of the Petitioners of the community asking approval for the authorization and establishment of an Episcopal Mission in Lehigh Acres.
October 8, 1962 – St. Anselm Vestry held their first meeting.
December 1963 – The Episcopal Church Women (E.C.W.) was organized.
September 1, 1964 – The Reverend Gordon L. Graser was appointed full time Vicar.
October 7, 1964 – The Reverend Lloyd A. Cox, dean of Ft. Myers Deanery, and The Reverend Gordon L. Graser accepted delivery of the deed for four acres property on Joel Boulevard from Gerald H. Gould, President of Lehigh Acres Development Corporation for the site of St. Anselm Episcopal Church.
June 12, 1965 – Ground breaking ceremony was held for a new Church on Joel Boulevard
December 19, 1965 – St. Anselm Episcopal Church was dedicated and blessed by The Rt. Reverend Bishop Harwood Sturtevant, retired Bishop of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, who was acting on behalf on behalf of the Rt. Reverend Henry L Loutit, Bishop of South Florida. He was assisted by the Reverend Gordon L. Graser. Approximately 200 people witness the dedication. The toll of the first church bell in Lehigh Acres was heard when Mrs. E. D. MacQuaig, who donated the bell to St. Anselm, pulled the cord. The bell was cast in Troy, New York in 1864.
1967 – 1970 - The Reverend Ralph Johnson served as Vicar
1970 – 1970 - The Reverend Walter R. Scott served as Vicar
1970 – 1971 - The Reverend Dwight A. Filkins served as Vicar
1971 – 1972 - The Reverend Walter R. Scott served as Vicar
1972 – 1975 - The Reverend Anthony W. VanHam served as Vicar
1971 – The Men’s Club was organized
1972 – The first Sunday School Class with 5 teachers and 17 children
1974 – The Choir was organized
June 6, 1974 – The Parish Hall was dedicated and blessed by The Rt. Reverend Bishop Hargraves.
1976 – St. Anselm Chapter of the Daughters of The King received Charter.
1975 – 1979 – The Reverend Robert G. Bramlett served as Vicar
August 1, 1982 – The Reverend Robert B. Doing formerly of St. James Church, Winston, Connecticut, became Vicar of St. Anselm.
October 26, 1984 – Mission was accepted as a Parish at the Diocesan Convention. Serving as Vicar, the Reverend Robert B. Doing became the Rector upon Parish status.
May 3, 1987 – The new addition to the Church Hall was dedicated with service of Praise and Thanksgiving conducted by the Reverend Robert Scott, former Vicar, the Reverend Clyde Wilson. Vicar Emeritus, and the Reverend Robert Doing.
1988 – The Reverend Raymond Turner served as Assistant Priest to the Reverend Robert Doing.
1995 – 1996 – The Reverend Hewitt V. Johnston served as Interim Priest
April 2003 - St. Anselm became a Mission Episcopal Church and Pastoral Services were provided by St. Luke Episcopal Church, Fort Myers.
July 1, 2004 – May 2005 – The Reverend Ben Pardo served as Vicar
May 2005 –To Present – The Reverend Marcel Algernon now serves as Vicar.
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Listen, my friend!
Listen, my friend! Your helplessness is your best prayer. It calls from your heart to the heart of God with greater effect than all your uttered pleas. He hears it from the very moment that you are seized with helplessness, and He becomes actively engaged at once in hearing and answering the prayer of your helplessness.
St. Anselm's Episcopal Church listing was last updated on the 23rd of July, 2023
