In 1970, Reverend Larry Lossing of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in New Smyrna requested permission from the Diocese of Central Florida to hold a service at the beach. On July 19, 1970, the Right Reverend William Folwell presided at the first Surfer’s Mass. This quickly became a summer tradition, continuing into the early 1980’s when the beach services were discontinued, to the dismay of residents and weekend visitors from Orlando. Thanks to the efforts of both groups, services continued and were held at Coronado Beach Elementary School. Attendance grew and Father Tyrell Dear came on board to serve as a part-time Vicar for St. Peter’s beach side chapel. With continued growth, the communicants petitioned the Diocese and in January of 1987 St. Peter the Fisherman officially became a mission.