At 2439 McGregor Boulevard near downtown Fort Myers, Covenant Presbyterian Church is known for a Sunday worship service that brings together praise, prayers, hymns, anthems, choruses, children's messages, sacraments and Bible-based preaching. The church's musical life is equally broad, with an organist, several choirs, a handbell ensemble, an instrumental group and a worship band. Around that center are faith formation classes for children and adults, youth ministry, fellowship groups for women and adults, and mission work reaching from Fort Myers and Lee County to farmworker communities, Cuba, Nicaragua, Madagascar and Palestinian olive farmers. Covenant is a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregation with roots in the Reformed tradition and a long-standing commitment to worship, community and service.
Forty People Begin a Church on McGregor Boulevard
Covenant's story begins in the fall of 1961, when Dr. E. S. Campbell, chairman of Church Extension for Westminster Presbytery, met forty individuals who had discerned through the Holy Spirit that Fort Myers needed a church in the Reformed tradition of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. The meeting in the old Edison Cafeteria gave birth to Covenant.
Chartered in February 1962 with fifty-two founding members, the presbytery purchased the five-acre tract where Covenant still stands. On November 4, 1962, eighty-two days after the ground-breaking ceremony, the congregation occupied its first sanctuary, now Fellowship Hall. The Rev. Raymond A. Horn was its first pastor. In its early years, Covenant helped organize Grace Presbyterian, First Presbyterian in Lehigh Acres, First Presbyterian in Bonita Springs, Cypress Lake Presbyterian, Holy Trinity Presbyterian, Buckingham Presbyterian and Burnt Store Presbyterian.
The Rev. Claude Allen became the second pastor in 1969, and music developed under David G. Robinson. In 1973, Covenant Day Care Center opened with twenty-five children and was described as the first center of its kind in Lee County, serving infants and preschool children from low-income families. The Rev. Dolph Allen Jr. became pastor in 1974 and began growth groups that provided instruction and nurture. Membership passed 1,000, a new sanctuary opened for worship on December 19, 1976, and staff positions for an associate pastor and Christian educator were added.
The 1980s brought pastoral and denominational transitions. Allen left in 1987 to form another church, and membership fell from 1,300 to 500. Dr. David G. Berry, called in 1989, led the congregation to more than 1,400 members and a renewed reputation as an active, mission-minded congregation. Building campaigns added parking, educational and office space, a choir suite, a courtyard and Covenant House. The Concert Series began during the 1980s. Dr. David D. Swanson later emphasized small-group discipleship, and Covenant grew to a record 1,665 members.
Sunday Morning: A Single Thread of Praise and Preaching
Sunday worship begins at 10:00 AM. Pastor Rev. Becky Schwandt preaches Bible-based sermons within what Covenant describes as an inclusive community for people from all walks of life. The service combines the best of multiple musical styles with praise, prayers, hymns, anthems, choruses, children's messages, sacraments and sermons. Each part is designed to flow into one thread and theme for the day, balancing expressive contemporary worship with hymns, choral music and Presbyterian worship.
The annual worship cycle also includes Ash Wednesday, Holy Week services with Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, an Advent service of Hanging of the Greens, and Christmas Eve worship.
Covenant livestreams Sunday worship, concerts and memorials through its live worship service. The sermon and service archive also makes worship available to those unable to attend in person.
Faith Formation for Elementary Children and Adults
Covenant's Sunday morning faith formation classes run from 9:00 to 9:45 AM for learners from elementary age through adulthood. Adults meet in Room 201, while elementary children meet in Room 206. The curriculum follows the PC(USA) resource Feasting on the Word and the Revised Common Lectionary, allowing families and learners of different ages to explore the same Bible passage each week.
Classes examine what the passage says, where it appears, what it means and how it can be lived out now. Multiple learning styles are used to connect Scripture with the rhythm of the church year. To promote a safe and trusting environment, every staff member and volunteer who works with infants, children or youth is screened.
Music at the Center of Covenant's Worship
Dr. Warren Apple, Covenant's director of music and organist, holds a Doctor of Music Arts and a Master of Music from the Eastman School of Music. He directs the Chancel Choir, Summer Choir, Concert Choir, Jubilate Ringers handbell choir and Instrumental Ensemble. He works with worship band leader Juan Pablo Oliva to shape the musical experience of worship services.
- Chancel Choir: All vocalists, including teens, are invited to sing. Weekly rehearsals are held Thursday at 6:30 PM in the Music Room, while the Summer Choir rehearses on Sunday mornings before worship from May through September.
- Concert Choir: Open to members of the Chancel Choir and the wider community, this ensemble presents several concerts each year, often with full orchestra. The group rehearses on four or five Saturday mornings before each concert.
- Jubilate Ringers: Covenant's auditioned adult handbell choir performs about once each month in worship and takes part in the Christmas and Spring concerts. Rehearsals are Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:00 PM in the sanctuary.
- Instrumental Ensemble: Congregational volunteers play a variety of instruments, presenting occasional preludes and accompanying congregational hymns.
- Worship Band: Adults and youth from the congregation help lead music in worship services.
The Covenant Concert Series brings classical and varied repertoire to the church, including annual Christmas and Spring concerts. Admission is free, with a freewill offering received. The concert season has included Handel's Messiah, Requiems by Rutter, Brahms and Durufle, Haydn's Te Deum and Rutter's Gloria. Supporters can also join Friends of the Concert Series to help sustain the performances.
Youth, Women and Lifelong Fellowship
Youth Ministry welcomes students in grades 6 through 12. Weekly gatherings, Bible study, social events, mission trips and retreats take place throughout the year, with the main Sunday gathering held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM in the Youth Room. Young people with musical interests may also join the worship team. Covenant youth may participate without being church members, and friends are welcome.
Presbyterian Women commits its members and friends to prayer, Bible study, support for mission, justice and peace, and an inclusive community of women. Three circles meet in Room F201, with the Deborah Circle also accommodating Zoom participants. Naomi Circle meets on the second Monday at 12:30 PM, Deborah Circle on the second Tuesday at 10:00 AM, and Rahab Circle on the second Wednesday at 7:00 PM. The circles study a common Biblical theme and support mission projects.
Prayer Shawl Ministry combines compassion with knitting and crochet. Volunteers begin with prayer, continue praying through each stitch and offer a final blessing before a completed shawl is delivered. The team gathers on the fourth Tuesday from September through May at 10:00 AM in Room 207. Yarn, needles, hooks and funds for supplies are accepted.
Leasure Time Book Club meets year-round on the fourth Thursday at 11:00 AM for one hour, usually in the library. Anyone in the community may attend, selections are chosen collectively and the group seeks variety across book genres.
Covenant also maintains the annual Wednesday Morning Live lecture series, founded on Dr. David Robinson's vision of bringing informative and entertaining presentations to the church and community. The program features speakers with varied personal experiences and interests. Named scholarships support graduating high school students, while a separate book scholarship assists students enrolled in college or trade school.
Matthew 25 Mission Close to Home and Around the World
Covenant defines its mission through Matthew 25, emphasizing partnership, relationships, social justice and the sharing of needed resources. It is a partner in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Matthew 25 initiative, committing to building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism and eradicating systemic poverty. Mission offerings include Souper Bowl of Caring, One Great Hour of Sharing and the Christmas Joy Offering. PC(USA) mission co-workers Dan and Elizabeth Turk serve in Madagascar through fruit-tree planting and work to improve public health services.
Serving Lee County and the Immokalee Community
- Together We Grow: The church's garden grows culturally appropriate food for the benefit of the Immokalee farmworker community.
- Mision Peniel: This Peace River Presbytery ministry provides food, household items, spiritual care, food-distribution help and other programs for farmworkers. Covenant contributes to collection campaigns and its garden is part of the wider network.
- Cultivate Abundance: The initiative works to alleviate food insecurity in the Immokalee food desert by growing, collecting and sharing nutritious products that reflect farmworkers' preferences, while inspiring and equipping others to do likewise.
- Community Cooperative: The cooperative provides daily meals, food pantry distribution, Meals on Wheels and community child care programs in Lee County. Covenant provides financial support and monthly volunteers, including help with a mobile food pantry in a low-income Fort Myers neighborhood.
- L.I.F.E., Lee Interfaith for Empowerment: Local churches combine their efforts as a community-action partnership focused on specific justice issues in Lee County.
- INASMUCH: Downtown Fort Myers churches join an annual Mission Blitz offering community services. Covenant contributes new clothing, pajamas, books, blankets and other necessities for children placed in foster care.
Covenant volunteers also serve monthly at Mision Peniel, helping prepare and serve a hot meal and distribute clothing and toiletries to farmworkers. Other volunteer roles include greeting worshippers, assisting in the sanctuary, operating sound equipment and helping with memorials, weddings and concerts.
Partnerships Beyond Florida
- Cuba: A partnership established by Peace River Presbytery with Matanzas Presbytery connects Covenant with El Fuerte Presbyterian Church in Cardenas. Periodic partnership teams strengthen the relationship through visits.
- Palestine: Covenant supports Palestinian olive farmers facing oppression through the Keep Hope Alive program and promotes their olive oil through sales when it is available.
- Nicaragua: A longstanding relationship supports the ministries of Shalom Presbyterian Church in Esteli.
Governance by Elders, Deacons and the Congregation
Covenant is governed by ruling and teaching elders elected by the congregation. Its Session consists of twelve ruling elders, one teaching elder who is the pastor and moderator, and a Clerk of Session who is an appointed elder responsible for records and proceedings. The Session meets monthly and oversees worship, mission, education, finances, stewardship, staffing, facilities, relationships with the wider Presbyterian body and the care of the congregation.
The Board of Deacons oversees the congregation's care and nurture. Each deacon shepherds a flock, providing an additional connection through which concerns, needs, joys and celebrations can be shared with church leaders. The deacons administer a benevolence account and oversee the fellowship committee. Three elected trustees handle legal and property matters when they arise, including significant property decisions that require congregational approval.
Faith, Hope, Love and Witness
Covenant ascribes to the historical Great Ends of the Church:
- The proclamation of the gospel for the salvation of humankind.
- The shelter, nurture and spiritual fellowship of the children of God.
- The maintenance of divine worship.
- The preservation of the truth.
- The promotion of social righteousness.
- The exhibition of the Kingdom of Heaven to the world.
Its commitments describe the church as a community of faith that entrusts itself to God alone, a community of hope grounded in God's promised new creation, a community of love in which sin is forgiven and reconciliation breaks down hostility, and a community of witness pointing through word and work to God's transforming grace in Christ.
Covenant also emphasizes openness to God's mission through more radical obedience to Christ, joyful worship and work, and a visible community of women and men across ages, races, ethnicities and circumstances. This openness includes concern for the well-being of people and all creation, continued reformation and effective participation in the wider Christian community.
A Fort Myers Gathering Place
The church stands at 2439 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33901, near downtown, just south of the Edison Home parking lot and north of Fort Myers Golf & Country Club. It is approximately 2.5 miles north of the intersection of Colonial Boulevard and McGregor Boulevard. The directions to Covenant include routes from the north, south and east.
The office is open from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Monday through Thursday and closed on Fridays. The office telephone number is 239-334-8937, and the church's organizational email address is info@covpcfm.com. The sanctuary hosts Sunday worship, memorial services, weddings and concerts, while the congregation's five-acre campus includes Fellowship Hall, educational and office facilities, the choir suite, courtyard and Covenant House.
Giving supports worship and fellowship, music programming, youth ministry, campus maintenance, local outreach and worldwide mission. One-time and recurring gifts can be made through the church's secure Realm giving platform. Memorial gifts, planned gifts and gifts of personal property are also part of Covenant's stewardship life. Along McGregor Boulevard, the sanctuary remains the center of a church connecting worship, music, education, care and mission, and Covenant Presbyterian Church continues to serve Fort Myers as an inclusive Presbyterian community of faith, hope, love and witness.