About
Our Mission
UNITED BY GOD’S GRACE
Loving and Serving ALL People in Christ’s Name
Our Vision
As a Christ centered oasis, the Church of the Nativity will be a place to experience acceptance and love. We will invite ALL people to come, be spiritually replenished, and leave eager to do the work God has called each of us to do. We will reflect God’s love and limitless possibilities through our commitment to meaningful worship, spiritual formation, sweeping outreach, and robust growth.
Who We Are
The Episcopal Church of the Nativity is a Parish Family. We are united by God’s grace in our worship, in our singing, in our learning, in our serving and in our fun! Here you will find a multi-cultural church from around the world who have found a home here in Port St. Lucie. Our Church was founded in 1996 and we have been serving the Lord here in St. Lucie West ever since. The Episcopal Church of the Nativity is a place that offers an oasis of faith where ALL are welcome. We hope you will come be a part of what God is doing here!
Learn About God
Whether you’re just curious about God, new to Christianity, or have been a lifelong Episcopalian, we have a variety of ways you can learn about God.
Weekly Bible Studies (Gospel Meditation) are held on Thursdays at 9:00 and Sundays at 9:15.
One on One Spiritual Direction is also available. Please contact office@nativitypsl.com for more details.
Leadership
The Reverend Brian Stankich
Rector
Deborah Benway,
Senior Warden
Pete Szelwach,
Junior Warden
Wendy Chadbourne,
Treasurer
Hazel Graham,
Music Director
Melissa Lewis,
Bookkeeper
How We Began And Where We Are Going
The Episcopal Church of the Nativity began as a mission in the 1990s. Local Episcopal families here in St. Lucie County petitioned the Diocese of Central Florida to begin to plant a Church.
1996 – Nativity began in a home located on Nativity Terrace as an evangelistic outreach ministry of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Fort Pierce, Florida, due to rapid growth in nearby Port Saint Lucie. Father Tom Raezer was appointed Vicar by Bishop Howe. The first Vestry was appointed and services began in parishioners’ homes. There were 11 to 13 families in the congregation.
1997 – Father Paul Wolfe was appointed Vicar by Bishop Howe. An anonymous donor paid for the five acres of land. The congregation grew to 25 families and began to meet at the nearby Polish American Club. Groundbreaking began for the Church of the Nativity on Del Rio Boulevard. A sanctuary, small kitchen, Sunday School room, bathrooms and office space were built.
1998 – Dedication & Consecration of Nativity was held. Later that year, the Outdoor Chapel and Memorial Garden were dedicated.
2001 – Two new Sunday School classrooms and a small parish hall were added.
2005 – Nativity was financially independent and became a fully independent Parish. Services were held at 7:30 AM and 10:00 AM. Later that year, a 9:00 AM Children’s service was added.
2007 – Groundbreaking and dedication of Wolfe Hall were held, with Bishop Howe officiating. Due to illness, Father Paul Wolfe retired.
2008 – Reverend Mary Rosendahl was hired as Rector and was installed by Bishop Howe. Under her leadership, the Church continued to grow and thrive. New ministries were formed.
2011 – Stained glass windows depicting the Nativity scene were added.
2016 – Reverend Mary Rosendahl retired.
2018 – In October, a Search Committee began the process of selecting a new Rector.
2019– Mother Tracy Dugger accepted the call to become our next rector and began her ministry with us in October of 2019
2020– With Covid 19 our Church underwent rapid change. Switching to meeting digitally online primarily at first, before resuming our in-person services.
2024– We are presently offering in-person services at 8:00 and, 10:30 with choir during service. We have in-person Adult Bible Study (Sunday) and Virtual Bible Study during the week.
2025 – In September, we welcomed our new rector, Brian Stankich.
From here we hope to continue to grow our partnerships within St. Lucie County. We hope to continue as we began, a missionary outreach to connect more people with the love of Christ and a community to support them in faith.
