provided to The Santiva Chronicle
Since 1948, the 120-year-old schoolhouse has functioned as a seasonal, interdenominational church. Every three years, the Chapel board calls a new minister. No Christian denomination shall serve consecutive terms, ensuring the diversity the founders sought in their spiritual leaders.
Our newest minister is Reverend Doctor James “Jim” Miller, who served the First Presbyterian Church of Tulsa, OK, for over 30 years. He and his wife, Diane, will live in the parsonage on the Gulf of Mexico beside the Chapel on Chapin Lane in Captiva, which shares property with the local Civic Association, the Chapel, and a historic cemetery.
Rev. Miller will also help lead a “Homecoming service” for all former pastors of the past 25 years on the following Sunday at the Chapel on November 15th, which will also feature a Pastor Picnic around noon at the conclusion of the service.
The “Homecoming event” will be held on Saturday, November 14th, beginning at 10 AM at the Captiva Civic Association, and will feature seven pastors from Rev. Bruce McLeod of 2001 (deceased) to the most recent, Rev. Doug Dortch, whose term ended this past April 2026. Over 110 people have registered for the event on the Chapel’s website, and only a few seats remain as of this press release. To participate, please watch the Homecoming livestream on our site or on our Chapel Facebook page.
All are welcome at the Chapel, which is very active in supporting many organizations in need in the region, with a focus on families.
The “Season” for the Chapel services will continue through April 2027. Please come each Sunday at 11 a.m.… you’ll hear the Chapel bell ringing; a child attending that day normally pulls the bell’s rope.