Our History

In the Beginning:​

The first Catholic Mass in Fort Pierce was celebrated at the O’Brien home (west of 10th Street and South of Orange Avenue) in 1903.  Senator James P. McNichol, a Catholic statesman from Philadelphia and a winter visitor, was the first great benefactor of the Catholic Community of Fort Pierce.  McNichol purchased a block of land on the western edge of the city and donated it for the construction of a church, rectory and school. The wood-framed church was established in 1908 and seated 125 people.  The parish was named St. Anastasia, in honor of the patron saint of McNichol’s deceased first wife Anastasia.

A Time for Growth & Prosperity:

On December 4, 1910, Fr. Rupert Gabriel became the parish’s first pastor.  In 1914, St. Anastasia’s two-story school was built next to the church on Orange Avenue along with a convent to house Dominican sisters who would later come to teach.  In September 1926, three Dominican Sisters from Adrian, Michigan came to staff the school opening the school to 52 students.

A Time for Change:

In 1932, St. Anastasia added its first year of high school. By 1936, St. Anastasia had all four grades of high school and the first graduating class had five students. In 1951, St. Anastasia’s total enrollment had grown to 201 students that included grades one through twelve. In 1960, St. Anastasia Catholic School expanded its elementary school to a new location on 33rd Street in western Fort Pierce and the St. Anastasia School building on 10th Street served as the high school. 

A Time for Expansion:

For the next 16 years, St. Anastasia had many new facilities come to fruition due to the efforts of Father Mark Christopher. By 1989, Father Christopher had a state-of-the-art computer laboratory and a spacious music room constructed. A sports pavilion was erected to enhance the school’s physical education and sports program in 1991.
In 1993, the completion of the Bergalis and Wolf buildings created eight new classrooms to accommodate two Kindergarten classes.

In order to enhance the Band Program at St. Anastasia Catholic School, the multi-faceted Louise Beerhalter Band Room was constructed in 1998.  In 2000, St. Anastasia Catholic School welcomed Pre-School students for the first time. In 2006, a state-of-the-art Media Center was completed. 

In 2018 St. Anastasia Church and School embarked on Phase 1 of their joint capital campaign to update the church  foyer, restrooms in the church and school along with a resurfaced parking lot.  In additon a new gazebo of gratitude was placed on the lawn for prayer and gathering.  In 2023 Phase 2 was kicked off to renovation the complete interior of the church.