Chapel of the Sea season begins Nov. 8 with new minister
Since 1948, the 120-year-old schoolhouse has functioned as a seasonal, inter-denominational church. Every three years, the Chapel board calls a new minister.
No Christian denomination shall serve consecutive terms, thus ensuring the diversity the founders were seeking in their spiritual leaders.
The newest minister is Reverend Dr. James “Jim” Miller, who served the First Presbyterian Church of Tulsa, OK for more than 30 years. He and his wife Diane will reside in the parsonage beside the Chapel on Chapin Lane on Captiva, which shares property with the local Civic Association, the Chapel and a historic cemetery.
Rev. Miller will also be helping to lead a “Homecoming service” of all the former pastors of the past 25 years on the following Sunday at the Chapel on Nov. 15, which will also feature a Pastor Picnic around noon at the conclusion of the service.
The actual “Homecoming event” will be held on Saturday, Nov. 14 beginning at 10 a.m. at the Captiva Civic Association and feature seven pastors from Rev. Bruce McLeod of 2001 (deceased) up to the most recent, Rev. Doug Dortch whose term ended just this past April of 2026.
More than 110 people have registered for the event on the Chapel’s website, www.captivachapel.com and only a few seats are still available as Tuesday, Oct. 27. To participate, seek the livestream of the Homecoming at the chapel’s website, or Facebook page.
All are welcome at the Chapel, which is very active in supporting many organizations in need in the region, focusing on families.
The “Season” for the Chapel services will continue through April 2027. The ringing of the Chapel bell, normally pulled by a child who is attending that day, can be heard each Sunday as service starts at 11 a.m.