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USA Today Network Michael Braun, The (Fort Myers, Fla.) News-Press 3:38 p.m. ET April 9, 2017

Since the first part of 2017, Vice President Mike Pence hasn't appeared before photographers in anything but a business suit. On Feb. 22, 2017, he took off his coat to help volunteers clean up Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery in University City, Mo., after vandalism at the Jewish cemetery.(Photo: Michael Thomas, Getty Images)

SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. Red Anderson may not have seen Vice President Mike Pence when he stopped Sunday for early morning services at Sanibel Community Church but the 93-year-old former Purdue University basketball player surely noticed his security detail.

"All the guys over there I thought were a singing group," said Anderson, a spry and witty Indiana native and Sanibelsnowbird. "I asked them if they were going to perform. I wasn't awarethat they were Secret Service."

Anderson said the agents weren't too thrilled at his question, he said. "They kinda looked awry at me," said Anderson, who was manning the church coffee table outside the services.

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Anderson said he played basketball at Purdue about 70 years ago. "I knew (former UCLA coach and Purdue player) John Wooden. But he was a bit older."

The vice president and his wife attended the olive-drab-colored church's 8 a.m. traditional service, said member Steve Solakar, and even took communion.

"Pastor (Daryl)Donovan acknowledgedthe vice president and prayed for him and the president," Solakar said.

The full-time Sanibel resident said that Pence is probably the highest level dignitary to have taken in the island church's services.

"Ben Carson was here once, but that was before he ran," Solakar said. "Nobody as high as the vice president has been here."

Red Anderson, 93, didn't get a look at Vice President Mike Pence when he attended services at Sanibel Community Church on Sunday morning but did see his Secret Service entourage but thought they were a singing group. Anderson, a church member, manned the coffee table for the church on Sunday.(Photo: Michael Braun/The News-Press)

Donovan said that Pence has been to the church beforewhen he would vacation here during his tenure as Indiana governor and other dignitaries who attend from time to time included former CIA director Porter Goss and the former United States Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence retired Gen. Jerry Boykin.

Donovan, who said a couple members also attend church with Pence in Indiana, said he had no idea that the vice president was inclined to come to services.

"I heard he was going to be on the island," he said. "About 7:30 a line of black SUVs started pulling in the parking lot."

Donovan said he felt honored, especially since Pence and his wife got in just last night and then attended the congregation's 8 a.m. service.

"He was so genuine and precious," Donovan said. "He was real sweet. I shook his hand and he said he's been coming here for several years and told me that we had a special ministry."

Vice President Mike Pence and his wife attended the 8 a.m. traditional service at Sanibel Community Church on Sunday morning. Church members said the couple took communion and the church's pastor offered a prayer for him and President Trump.(Photo: Michael Braun/The News-Press)

Jack David, a 25-year member of the church, sat in the back for the services but didn't catch a glimpse of Pence.

"I had to go and drive the church bus to pick up some members," he said. "I did hear he took communion."

David also said he had to show his ID to the vice president's security detail when he went to the men's room.

Other than that bit of divine excitement, it was a normal day on the popular tourist island. Early on traffic was rather light as cooler temperatures prevailed.

Follow Michael Braun on Twitter:@MichaelBraunNP

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Vice President Mike Pence, wife start Sunday at Sanibel Island church - USA TODAY