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.
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: