Holy Places on Sanibel and Captiva

With so many people unable to travel to these beautiful barrier islands this past week due to the hurricanes up NORTH, the Islands feel untouched and unexplored. While we were fortunate to not have even a heavy wind from Irene, the heavy rains, flooding and tree destroying gales in such places as New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and DC, among many others, have kept our little roads and beaches empty for the past 7 days. With such quietude, it feels like hallowed ground.


But this will be changing soon enough and it does make one reflect on the places most quiet and spiritual left to enjoy when the holiday makers return.


Of course, on such a lovely barrier island, there are innumerable sacred spaces in our natural world. Sunrise or sunset on an empty beach, a bike ride through Ding Darling, a walk through the Bailey Tract will all offer opportunities for tranquil contemplation.


But the man made holy spaces are equally enticing.


Take for example the Sanibel Community Church.

The Sanibel Community Church , with a multi denominational congregation, has long opened it's doors to residents and vacationers alike. And those doors are about to become wider as the Church just broke ground for a new multi purpose facility.

The new building will consist of a 600-seat Sanctuary, a bookstore and church administrative offices. This occasion heralds the culmination of more than one year of cooperation between the church and community leaders.

The existing Family Life Center will also be getting a face lift during the construction phase in order to house the growing Children's Ministry on the first floor, and Youth Ministry to teens on the second floor. Sanibel Community Church in recent years has had sustained growth in their Children and Youth Ministries.

The Historic Sanctuary will remain and continue to be used for an 8 a.m. Traditional Service, as well as for weddings, memorial services and other community events.


Another sacred space is Chapel by the Sea on Captiva. Captiva Island’s Chapel By The Sea is a seasonal Christian ministry open to all from Thanksgiving through Easter. The historic Chapel is denominationally independent and welcomes everyone regardless of their spiritual beliefs. The Chapel nurtures a strong community within and is committed to generously supporting Outreach in the broader community. They meet every Sunday at 11a.m. for worship,with indoor and outdoor seating followed by fellowship: coffee, iced tea and sweet treats!



St. Isabel Catholic Church has had a long history marked by growth since Bishop Hurley bought a tract of land on Sanibel Island. The twenty acres was to become the center of St. Isabel parish. Shortly after the property was purchased Father Miguel Goni, administrator of Ascension Parish on Ft. Myers Beach, began using the property by having picnics and social gatherings. Just about this time, Father Goni would come to Sanibel by boat every Sunday and say mass in private homes. The normal means of transportation to Sanibel was a ferryboat until the bridge and causeway were built in 1963.


St. Isabel's is a community united by their faith. Conscious of their beautiful surroundings, and grateful for God’s many gifts, the congregation shares their time, talent, and treasure. St. Isabel welcomes all, parishioner and visitor, to be nourished and encouraged sacramentally.


The Reform synagogue, Bat Yam, Temple of the Islands, also offers sacred solace to its members at the Sanibel Congregational Church of Christ on Sanibel. During the first year, 61 families joined and decided to affiliate with the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, the organization linking 85o Reform Jewish congregations in the USA and Canada. Services were held twice monthly and a first Community Seder was held on Passover that year in 1991.


During the summer months, services were at member's homes.

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