by SC Features Writer Reanna Haase
Throughout all the challenges the islands have faced over the past few years, one thing has remained constant. Loyal residents and visitors gather for Captiva’s Chapel by the Sea Sunday services, surrounded by waves crashing on the shore and ospreys flying overhead.
“You talk about Mother Nature– she has just protected us,” Board President Kathy Knoblauch said. “All the hurricanes that have hit, the chapel always stands – it’s an amazing place.”
Now restored and open for indoor services, the chapel has changed significantly over the past half-decade. In 2020, services moved outdoors for social distancing during the covid pandemic. Following Hurricane Ian in 2022, much of the interior required restoration due to water damage. Then, two years later, Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused the historic building to lift off its concrete foundation.
Over the next year, chapel members fundraised and worked with local contractors to revitalize the 120-year-old schoolhouse-turned-chapel. The building is now elevated by three feet, leveled, with new shrubbery and a handicap-accessible ramp, plus traditional Christmas lights once again filling the yard.
“The lights are just magic,” Board Member Chip Roach said. “You walk down the lane and the whole chapel yard, there’s maybe an acre of lights hanging just 12 feet in the air, just above your head.”
Now ready for the busy season, the chapel has already seen strong volunteer participation in Christmas light hanging and the Dec 14 caroling event. Church members view recent years as a key part of their spiritual journey.
“I saw our mission over these last couple of years as one of encouragement,” Rev. Doug Dortch said. “To point people to spiritual resources that would enable them to face all of the challenges before them.”
This year, the chapel has resumed indoor services, even though many people still attend outdoors. They are also looking at a full wedding calendar, with almost every weekend booked.
“We want it to be a place where people join their lives together in the presence of God, in a place that holds a lot of meaning to all of them,” Dortch said. “I don’t know that I’ve ever been in a place where that’s more apparent and palpable. People just love being here at the chapel, whether it’s a wedding, a baptism, or just a worship service – people are just so excited to be a part of what God is doing in this place.”
Because chapel services are held only from November through April, many attendees aren’t island residents. Instead, they are families who visit the islands each year and keep returning to their favorite barrier island chapel.
“A third of the people in attendance have been here renting somewhere for a week, but it’s the same week every year,” Roach said. “They’ve rented the same house or condo for 25 years. Three generations of their family have come to the chapel once, and they love the chapel. There is a really neat affinity for the chapel that’s unlike most things.”
Roach shared that attendance is up by about 50 percent compared to last season. They expect attendance to continue rising as the months go on. Services are also available to view online—a practice started during the pandemic. People can take part in worship even if they are not on the islands.
Whether you are streaming services online or attending in person, indoors or outdoors, the chapel continues to adapt so that all who want to be part of their mission can do so. The chapel at 11580 Chapin Lane, like many others on the island, has seen much change in the past few years, but still one thing remains – attendees’ loyalty to the historic gem.
“I’m confident that while storms can destroy material things, the folk here at the chapel and, for that matter, Captiva and Sanibel as well, there’s something deep inside that a storm cannot destroy,” Dortch said.
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