Dr. HolderThe Rector

The Reverend Doctor Anthony B. Holder (Father Tony) began his duties as the Third Rector of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Sacrament, Pembroke Pines, Florida, on January 1, 2011. Prior to his becoming the leader of our church, Fr. Tony spent ten years at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, O’Fallon, Illinois. He previously served in Barbados as the Curate of the Parish Church of Christ Church, as Rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity in St. Philip, and Rector of St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church in St. Michael.

Father Tony was a graphic artist at a publishing company and subsequently an Art Teacher at The Lodge School (high school). He is a graduate of the University of the West Indies and Codrington College Theological Seminary. As a priest and rector in the Diocese of Barbados, Fr. Holder served on a number of Elementary School Boards of Management/Directors as a member and as chairman. He was also a Chaplain to schools and a member of the Diocesan Commission on Evangelism.

While at St. Michael’s, Father Tony focused on various aspects of ministry, particularly Christian Education and Youth Ministry. He served in a number of diocesan positions while in the Diocese of Springfield including Spiritual Director of Happening and Church Camp, Web Manager of the Diocese and a Member of the Communications Department, Chair of the Department of National and World Mission, Dean of the Darrow (Western) Deanery, Member and President Pro Tem of the Diocesan Council, President of the Standing Committee, and Clerical Deputy to the 2009 General Convention. He was also a member of the O’Fallon Ministerial Alliance. During his tenure at St. Michael’s, Father Holder received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry, Ambridge, Pennsylvania, in 2009.

In addition to being Rector of Holy Sacrament, he has served as a Member of the Social Justice Commission in the Diocese of Southeast Florida. Dr. Holder also served as a member of the Search Committee, which facilitated the election of the Bishop Coadjutor and subsequently the Fourth Bishop of Southeast Florida.  Currently, he serves as a member of the Standing Committee, and the Cathedral Chapter of Trinity Cathedral, Miami.

In November 2014, Dr. Holder was named one of the Eight Most Influential Barbadians in Florida by the Barbados American Chamber of Commerce, and Caribbean National Weekly. In October 2015, he received the Clergy Award from the Broward County Chapter of the United Nations Association of the United States of America and United Nations Foundation, chiefly for his involvement in missionary work.  In June 2016, Fr. Holder was honored by Friends Supporting the Anglican Diocese of Belize, Inc. in New York, for his commitment and leadership in community service, particularly to mission work in Belize.

Father Tony is passionate about preaching and teaching and enabling people to grow in faith. He has been the keynote speaker, led retreats and numerous seminars, was guest preacher, on a number of occasions. He enjoys being a pastor and engaging in missionary work. In the past five years, he has engaged in missionary work in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Belize. He was the visionary, and was instrumental in starting and implementing the missionary work in Belize. Currently, Dr. Holder is a member of the Board of Directors of a non-profit organization named Samuel’s Call, which seeks to empower less privileged children in the world by supporting and/or improving their learning facilities and environments, and to enable these children in developing their full potential in life. He is enthusiastic about youth and children’s ministries, and their integration into the life of the church.  

Dr. Holder and his wife, Judith, have two children, a son, Tadhg, and a daughter, Aleksi. The Rector enjoys Art, reading, tennis, and spinning. The Holders enjoy traveling, going to the theater, spending time together, and being with family and friends.

Please click here to schedule an appointment to meet with the Rector or call 954-432-8686.