LIVING HISTORY
STEEPED IN
St. Anastasia Church, built in 1975 and dedicated in 1977, is the center of St. Anastasia Parish, which has begun a yearlong celebration of its centennial.
40
HISTORY
ED DRONDOSKI
Home to the oldest private school on the
Treasure Coast, St. Anastasia Catholic Parish
celebrates its 100th anniversary
BY CATHERINE ENNS GRIGAS
It was the faith of an Irish immigrant fisherman and the
charity of a wealthy Philadelphia senator that helped
establish the first Catholic church in St. Lucie County
100 years ago. But it has been hope that has brought
St. Anastasia Parish from its humble beginnings in the
20th century to a thriving spiritual force in the Treasure Coast
community in the 21st century.
Perhaps the best symbol of that cross-generation connection
is Kevin Hoeffner, principal of St. Anastasia School. His greatgrandfather,
Anton P. Hoeffner, helped build the first St. Anastasia
School. His mother and father, Barbara and Tom Hoeffner,
were married in the church. He and his siblings all attended St.
Anastasia School, and now his three children go there.
The historic bell ceremoniously rung at eighth-grade
graduation was donated 100 years ago by Hoeffner’s greatgrandfather,
whose name is inscribed on it. The bell hung
>>
Treasure Coast Education