About St. Francis Xavier · Fort Myers, Florida
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church is a historic downtown Fort Myers parish in the Diocese of Venice, tracing its roots to a Jesuit mission established in the 1870s and formally constituted as a parish in 1910. Today it serves more than 1,500 families from diverse cultural backgrounds and offers Mass in English, Polish (first Sunday of the month), and Haitian Creole, along with a regional Catholic school (Pre-K through 8th) on the same campus. The parish is known for its downtown presence just blocks from the Caloosahatchee River, its charitable Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference, and its resilience through hurricanes including Ian in 2022.
- Established
- 1910
- Patron
- St. Francis Xavier (Jesuit missionary, co-founder of the Society of Jesus)
- Rector
- Rev. Steven Clemente
- Diocese
- Diocese of Venice in Florida
Why belong here
St. Francis Xavier is one of the oldest Catholic parishes in Southwest Florida — a Jesuit-founded downtown Fort Myers community that now welcomes more than 1,500 families. It offers daily and Sunday Mass in English, Polish (first Sunday), and Haitian Creole, plus a thriving parish school, a robust OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation) program, a wide array of liturgical ministries, and an active Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference serving the poor of Lee County. Whether you are a lifelong Catholic, a new arrival to Fort Myers, or discerning the faith for the first time, the parish combines deep historic roots with contemporary, multilingual parish life.
Mass times at St. Francis Xavier
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Adoration times
- Friday 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Parish History
St. Francis Xavier traces its origins to the 1870s, when Jesuit missionaries rode on horseback from Tampa to the Fort Myers frontier, celebrating Mass in a stable and a private residence. The mission — first known as Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary — was formally recorded on October 3, 1878. The first church in Fort Myers was built in 1889, and the community was renamed St. Francis Xavier in 1890. The parish was officially established on September 10, 1910, with the construction of a second church. That structure was rebuilt and rededicated the same year, and the present church was built and dedicated on December 22, 1961, with a renovation in 1977. The original steeple of the 1889 church has been preserved as a monument on parish grounds.
- 1870s: Jesuit missionaries ride from Tampa to celebrate Mass in a stable and a private home
- 1878: Immaculate Conception mission formally recorded
- 1889: First church built in Fort Myers
- 1890: Parish renamed St. Francis Xavier
- September 10, 1910: Parish officially established
- December 22, 1961: Present-day church built and dedicated
- 1977: Church renovated
Faith Formation
The parish's Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) program welcomes adults discerning the Catholic faith, meeting one evening each week at the Ministry Center on the parish campus next to Xavier Hall. The program draws on parish companions, sponsors, catechists, and guest speakers, and culminates at the Easter Vigil with Baptism/Profession of Faith, Confirmation, and First Eucharist. OCIA catechists present on topics including Salvation History, the Trinity, the Sacraments, the Paschal Mystery, the Life of Christ, Mary, and Catholic moral teaching. Marriage Tribunal Advocates are also recruited from the parish to counsel those seeking annulment. Bible Study groups round out ongoing formation.
- OCIA weekly formation meetings (Wednesday evenings at the Ministry Center)
- OCIA Catechists, Companions, and Sponsors
- Marriage Tribunal Advocates
- Bible Study series
St. Francis Xavier Catholic School
Founded in 1938 and staffed originally by the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, New York, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School serves grades Pre-K 3 through 8 on the parish campus at 2055 Heitman Street. The school was recognized as a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School in 1998–1999 — the first Catholic elementary school in the Diocese of Venice to earn that distinction. Today the school welcomes more than 580 students and roughly 65 staff members, with expanded facilities that include the Annette Unger Multi-Media and Library Center (1995), the Father Thomas Anglim Gymnasium (1998), and the Sister Elaine Mahoney Early Learning Center. The current principal is Mr. John Gulley, with Jim Reynolds as Assistant Principal.
- Founded 1938 by the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, New York
- Grades Pre-K 3 through 8
- 1998–99 U.S. Dept. of Education Blue Ribbon School (first in the Diocese of Venice)
- 580+ students, ~65 staff
- Principal: Mr. John Gulley
- Phone: (239) 334-7707
- Website: www.stfrancisfortmyers.org
Outreach & Charity
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul — St. Francis Xavier / St. Therese Conference is the parish's primary outreach ministry, providing fresh food and financial assistance to needy families in Lee County from its office at 2073 Lafayette Street (corner of Lafayette Street and Grand Avenue). Financial-assistance screenings are held every Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and the food pantry operates every Friday from 8:30 a.m. until all available food is distributed. The pantry's food is for all of Lee County, while financial assistance is offered within parish boundary areas in Fort Myers and North Fort Myers.
- Office: 2073 Lafayette Street, Fort Myers (intersection of Lafayette & Grand Avenue)
- Financial assistance: Thursdays 9:00–11:00 a.m.
- Food pantry: Fridays from 8:30 a.m.
- Phone: (239) 334-9225
- Email: [email protected]
Liturgical Ministries
Parishioners are invited to serve the liturgy as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors, Sacristans, Ushers/Greeters, or Altar Servers (youth must be at least nine and have received First Communion). Volunteers also serve as Catechists and in the Celebration of Life Ministry. All liturgical ministers are expected to be baptized, confirmed, and practicing Catholics, registered at St. Francis Xavier, with Safe Environment training, fingerprinting, and background checks where applicable.
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Lectors
- Altar Servers
- Sacristans
- Ushers/Greeters
- Catechists
- Celebration of Life Ministry
Clergy & Staff
St. Francis Xavier is led by Rev. Steven Clemente, Pastor, who was newly installed in 2025 by Bishop Frank J. Dewane of the Diocese of Venice. Rev. Robert Tatman serves as Parochial Vicar. The parish and school staff can be reached through the parish office at 2133 Heitman Street.
- Rev. Steven Clemente — Pastor
- Rev. Robert Tatman — Parochial Vicar
- Parish Office: 2133 Heitman Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901
- Phone: (239) 334-2161
Visit & Contact
Worshippers and visitors are warmly welcomed at St. Francis Xavier. The church is located at 2057 Cleveland Avenue, Fort Myers, FL 33901, with the parish office a short walk away at 2133 Heitman Street. Office hours are Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed 12:00–12:30 p.m. daily). For more information, contact the parish at (239) 334-2161 or [email protected].
- Church: 2057 Cleveland Avenue, Fort Myers, FL 33901
- Parish Office: 2133 Heitman Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901
- Phone: (239) 334-2161 | Fax: (239) 334-7893
- Email: [email protected]
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (closed 12:00–12:30 p.m.)
Diocese & Wider Church
St. Francis Xavier is one of the oldest parishes in the Diocese of Venice in Florida (established as a Diocese in 1984), within the Central Deanery. As one of the earliest Catholic missions south of Tampa Bay, it was served originally by Jesuit missionaries from Tampa beginning in the 1870s and predates the founding of the Diocese itself.
- Diocese of Venice in Florida
- Central Deanery
- Bishop Frank J. Dewane (Diocese of Venice)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Steven Clemente2025–present (newly installed)
Installed as Pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in 2025 by Bishop Frank J. Dewane of the Diocese of Venice.