Healing Mission

History of The Healing Mission

A great part of the life and work of St. Boniface Church on Siesta Key in Sarasota has been focused on the healing ministry which is functioning through the Sacrament of the Laying on of Hands and the Healing Mission.

When Dr. John Ellis Large came to St. Boniface as the Rector in 1961, he brought a background of ten years of the Healing Ministry from the Church of the Heavenly Rest in New York City. The Ancient and Biblical Order of the Laying on of Hands became a regular part of the Thursday morning Holy Communion service and the congregational response and participation has been warm and whole-hearted.

As the understanding and acceptance of this ministry increased, and its existence became known throughout the community. Mrs. Celia Conkey, an Episcopal Church Woman prayerfully chose to contribute the benefits of her charismatic gift, which she believed should be avaiable to the sick under the auspices of the Church.

So many sick and discouraged were remarkably helped through this ministry that a group of faithful friends from the parish financed the erection of a building for her use. Bishop Hargrave officiated at the dedication of the Mission House on Sunday, February 23, 1964.

The original Healing Mission building was later expanded with the addition of a second therapy room.