St. Boniface Episcopal Church: Who We Are


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WHO WE ARE OUR VALUES The mission of Saint Boniface is to continue Christ’s Mission in the world through worship, teaching, healing and service. We are an inclusive, progressive congregation, holding fast to the best traditions of the past and willing to explore the new places God may lead us. We are committed to excellence in: Worship with sound preaching and quality music Education and programs with equal focus on children, youth, and adults Service to our community and beyond with our financial and personal resources. Our vision is for our parish to be the best the Episcopal Church can be. All people are welcome here! The Episcopal Church is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, some 79 million Christians who find their spiritual roots in the Catholic and Protestant traditions. With St. Margaret’s Church, Sarasota and St. Edmund’s Church, Arcadia, we are members of the Route 72 Coalition of Episcopal Churches, a partnership created to share resources and strengthen the congregations of the Diocese of Southwest Florida. OUR HISTORY Saint Boniface Church began as a mission of the Church of the Redeemer in Sarasota, Florida, in 1954. The first services were held in a rent-free storefront on Midnight Pass Road on Siesta Key. Even though the Key was relatively undeveloped at that time, the average attendance at Sunday services was 66, and interest was high enough to apply for a charter within four months of operation. Property at the current site was purchased in 1956, and the first building was in operation by the middle of 1957. The original rectory, now the church office building, was added in 1958. In 1962, Saint Boniface achieved parish status and more facilities soon followed. Church school rooms, a parish hall, nursery, kitchen, enlarged sacristy and a new building for the Healing Mission (a ministry of healing, unique to Saint Boniface) were all added during this period. By 1965, the Parish had grown to approximately 775 communicants. The decade from 1969-1979 saw gifts that established a columbarium on the property, expansion of the Healing Mission, and the addition of new community service and outreach programs, many of which are still active today. By 1979, planning began on a new church building designed to accommodate 550 worshipers at Sunday services. Construction was completed and the building dedicated in 1980. A major renovation begun in 1995 improved the building interior and exterior as you see now, changing the color on the building, roof, and interior ceiling, adding the new steeple cross, revoicing the organ, and remodeling to make the Chapel of Christ the King possible.

The Church is our worship space where we gather weekly to give praise and thanks to Almighty God. Our building incorporates many design features which allow for considerable versatility and flexibility of use. The arrangement of the pews, the placement of the altar, organ and choir, the beautiful stained glass and the great height of the nave combine to create a sense of presence and intimacy along with that of transcendence and the glory of God. Our church is an outstanding facility for the enrichment of both parish and community life beyond its central purpose of worship.

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