Welcome to Florida

Because Southwest Florida is one of the world's great travel destinations, the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida receives many visitors from around the world. Our churches are convenient to every popular destination in Southwest Florida, including beachside and downtown churches in top tourist spots like St. Petersburg, Tampa, Fort Myers, Naples, Sarasota and Bradenton.

Our DaySpring Episcopal Center, attracts retreat groups from around the world, U.S. and Southeast. Convenient to the Sunshine Skyway, Tampa and Bradenton, it is located on the Manatee River in Parrish, just minutes off Interstate 75 near Ellenton Premium Outlets.

Many Visitors in our Pews

Our Diocese is part of The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion, which means that our liturgy is familiar to travelers from British Commonwealth countries. In addition, because Florida is a popular location for relocation, our parishes include hundreds of members from places like the United Kingdom, Canada, Jamaica, Belize, Trinidad, the Bahamas, Nigeria, and South Africa.

Southwest Florida is one of the top winter destinations for "Snowbirds" from Canada; when visiting some of our churches you are very likely to be sitting next to someone who lives in Ontario or Quebec.

All of these groups find familiar worship and a warm welcome in our Diocese.

The Diocese truly wishes to live out its Episcopal motto, namely "The Episcopal Church Welcomes You."

Spanish and Hispanic Tradition

Florida's history and roots are Spanish, from the first day Juan Ponce de Leon came to this peninsula and named it La Florida because it was during Pascua Florida, or Flowery Easter.

Many of our priests speak Spanish, and a few of our parishes even hold services in Spanish. Consult our Multi-Cultural Ministries page for more information if you come from a Spanish-speaking country.

Historic and Notable Churches

Across the Diocese, many of our churches are worth a visit just for their beauty and architectural merit. In addition, many of our churches sponsor music programs and lectures during the busy high season from Christmas to Easter.

If you are from out of town and need a place to pray, or a group of Christians to meet, please call on our parishes or priests, or reach out to Diocesan House at 941-556-0315 to find out more.

Wherever you are staying, use our convenient FIND A CHURCH feature to locate a place to worship in Southwest Florida.