Repairs and Renovations After Hurricane Ian
Miraculously, Captiva Chapel by the Sea still stands after the devastation of Hurricane Ian on September 28th. However, the structure and property did sustain some damage that will be repaired in the coming weeks and months. This damage includes some significant issues with the Chapel’s belfry, flooring and the Cemetery’s fencing and vegetation.
Please check back here for updates and photos of our progress.
Please check back here for updates and photos of our progress.
April 16th, 2023
On Easter Sunday, our “normal” was recovered. The new floor was uncovered and the refurbished pews were all secure. Many retuned to their “preferred” seats inside the Chapel.The organ was magnificent and the outside audience of worshippers were covered by the tent (purchased in January to replace the shade from missing tree cover). And, even the storm-damaged weathervane fish was atop the steeple again…thanks to Bob Johnson and an extension ladder.
On Easter Sunday, our “normal” was recovered. The new floor was uncovered and the refurbished pews were all secure. Many retuned to their “preferred” seats inside the Chapel.The organ was magnificent and the outside audience of worshippers were covered by the tent (purchased in January to replace the shade from missing tree cover). And, even the storm-damaged weathervane fish was atop the steeple again…thanks to Bob Johnson and an extension ladder.
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April 8th, 2023
The return of the FISH to the top of the steeple took place today as pointed out by our onlookers.
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April 2nd, 2023
Our pews are in place, and our organ has returned home.
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March 26th, 2023
The pews are being repaired and will be repainted this week. They should be installed before Easter, so we can use the inside of the Chapel for a few Sundays before we close on the 30th.
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March 19th, 2023
The new floor is installed and was immediately covered with paper to protect it from the workers, who are refurbishing and re-installing the pews. There are still a couple of weeks to go, but we plan to be inside the Chapel in time for our Palm Sunday Service.
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March 12th, 2023
The slurry to level the plywood subfloor covered the messages from “write on the Chapel floor” day. Floor and pews to be installed soon.
March 5th, 2023
Our "Write on the Floor" event was a big hit. Worshippers were invited to write a message prior to the final layer of flooring being installed. Thank you to all who participated!
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February 27th, 2023
The final plywood layer including the raised platform for the altar and pulpit. We are offering our worshippers the opportunity to be part of Chapel History by writing on the chapel floor prior to the final layer being installed.
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February 13, 2023
Our Chapel now has plywood flooring.
February 4, 2023
Due to the heat, the Chapel has secured a tent to provide shade to worshippers attending Sunday services.
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January 28, 2023
All the workers (Pastor Larry calls them “unpaid servants”) and the construction manager, Bob Johnson, were working today on the eve of our first Sunday service of the year.
The Chapel flooring continues as a long term project, the excess sand was removed from the Chapel yard and shell-sand was installed as base for the folding chairs we will be using for the service on Sunday.
Others were making the garage ready for post-service hospitality tomorrow.
Later on Saturday about a dozen others were concentrating on the historic Cemetery…removing excess sand which covered some grave-markers and using special cleaning fluid to clean some others.
Our hymnals and folding chairs have been wiped clean, programs printed and drinks & goodies gathered.
The guesses for “how many will come?” range from 50 to 150. Weather looks like partly sunny and 75 degrees.
The Chapel flooring continues as a long term project, the excess sand was removed from the Chapel yard and shell-sand was installed as base for the folding chairs we will be using for the service on Sunday.
Others were making the garage ready for post-service hospitality tomorrow.
Later on Saturday about a dozen others were concentrating on the historic Cemetery…removing excess sand which covered some grave-markers and using special cleaning fluid to clean some others.
Our hymnals and folding chairs have been wiped clean, programs printed and drinks & goodies gathered.
The guesses for “how many will come?” range from 50 to 150. Weather looks like partly sunny and 75 degrees.
January 5, 2023
Flooring, pews, steeple and cemetery are all being addressed.
January 1, 2023 - Storage Container in Place
A storage container has been moved onto the property in order to hold the pews which must be removed in order to repair the flooring.
Sand removal will begin in the new year in order to accommodate folding chairs and walking worshippers.
Sand removal will begin in the new year in order to accommodate folding chairs and walking worshippers.
December 7, 2022 - Evaluation of Needs
Our facility and grounds evaluation has been on-going as we seek to identify the scope of work for the Chapel and cemetery.
- The cemetery fence may need total replacement (see photos). Sand has covered many of the gravestones closest to the Gulf. Our Cemetery Committee Chair, Nathalie Pyle, together with volunteers will begin the cleanup project.
- The Chapel flooring needs to be partially removed in order to get an accurate pricing bid. We are awaiting a bid on the belfry leak as well.
- The fish on the tip of our steeple, mounted on the weather vane dates back to the school house times. It will be restored to its rightful place as a Chapel icon as part of this project. The fish was found on the Chapel porch.
November 21, 2022 - Removal of Chapel Organ
In order to protect and preserve the organ during renovations, it was moved to Central Music who will store it until we're ready. Because of the deep mounds of sand outside, the movers couldn't use the front door, which would have been easier. Squeezing the organ out the back door was extremely tricky.
Blue storage containers will store the pews. The sand will be removed from the Chapel Yard.
To donate to the Chapel reconstruction efforts, please click here: