History

St. Anastasia School will celebrate its Centennial in 2026. We have been serving the students of the Treasure Coast for nearly a century. Our history is rich in tradition, family, and Christ.

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.