OUR EVENTS

 St. Raphael’s is an active congregation that is trying to recover after Hurricane Ian. We have some events that are new (Ashes to Go and Blue Christmas) and other events that are an important part of our tradition (Blessing of the Animals, Blessing of the Fleet, Shrimp Dinners).

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Ashes to go

Ash Wednesday is a solemn day of prayer and fasting that begins the season of Lent, a time of self-examination and renewed commitment in preparation for Holy Week and Easter. A special Eucharist is offered that day in the Church, including being marked with ashes on our foreheads.

In 2024 we instituted Ashes to Go to those who wanted a blessing but could not attend the service. This is held at TriPower on Estero Blvd.

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Blessing of the Animals

St. Raphael’s holds a Blessing of the Animals to celebrate St. Francis’ Day on the Saturday

closest to October 4, his feast day.. (St. Francis is known for honoring and loving all of God’s

creation, including the birds and animals.) Sometimes this is held in the churchyard or the parish

hall or church.

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Blue Christmas

Even though Christmas is a time of celebration and joy, for many, this is a difficult time of the

year due to loss or other grief. Our Blue Christmas service, held for the first time in 2024, invites

all who are hurting to enter into hope and healing through prayer, music, and reflection. It takes

place in December, about two weeks before Christmas Day.

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Blessing of the Fleet and Shrimp Dinners

St. Raphaels is well known for its support of our local shrimping industry. We sponsor the Blessing of the Shrimp Fleet as part of the Lion’s Club Shrimp Festival which takes place on the second weekend in March. We also proudly serve fresh local gulf shrimp at our “All You Can Eat” shrimp dinners that were held each year from October through April. Hundreds of residents and visitors look forward to enjoying the best shrimp dinner on the island. We have been out of business since Hurricane Ian but hope to have at least one dinner this season as soon as the kitchen is completed.

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OUR HISTORY

St. Raphael’s Episcopal Church has been a cherished part of the Fort Myers Beach community for over 70 years. Our story begins in 1951, when a small but faithful group of island residents began gathering for worship in the Community Hall. These early meetings were simple but meaningful—grounded in a shared spirit of fellowship and faith. In 1952 Father Hull was called as the vicar of a newly formed mission called St. Raphaels. The congregation moved from the Community Hall to an office in the Estero Manufacturing building.


As the island community grew, so did the vision for a permanent place of worship. Through the dedication and generosity of early parishioners, that vision became a reality in 1953 with the construction and opening of St. Raphael’s Church. The church was designed and the building supervised by Cyril Shawcross. Built of local coquina shells and limestone, Shawcross and Rhett Smith laid the bricks and completed the building by 1953.


Since then, our little church by the sea has stood as a place of worship, comfort, and community for generations of beach residents and visitors alike.


For many years, St. Raphael’s has also taken a leading role in one of the island’s most beloved traditions: the annual Blessing of the Fleet. Honoring the island’s strong connection to the sea and those who work upon it, this event brings together the spiritual and maritime heritage of Fort Myers Beach in a powerful way.



Rooted in faith and dedicated to service, St. Raphael’s continues to be a steady presence on the island—a place where history, community, and spirituality come together.

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HURRICAN IAN

On September 22, 2022, a category four hurricane swept over Fort Myers Beach damaging over 90% of the structures on the island. St. Raphael’s campus includes three buildings: the church, the parish hall, and the rectory. All three buildings were filled with over 7 feet of water. Although the buildings remained standing, all the contents were damaged. The rebuilding effort began in 2022 and is still in progress. We are presently worshipping in our parish hall as it has been reconstructed after the storm. We hope to have the church ready for worship by Christmas.