Our History

In 1967 a small, informal, interdenominational worship service began to be held on Sunday mornings at the open air "Pavilion" in Isla Blanca County Park.  Various ministers would come and lead in worship. This service eventually evolved into the idea to someday have a permanent building to be used just for worship services and to hire one minister-chaplain to provide for Sunday worship services.  A corporation was established in 1976 and our first Board Members were elected at that time. By 1979 suitable land and an architect were secured for work on our current facility to begin.  Our first worship service was held in the newly completed building on Easter Sunday morning, April 6, 1980. Since then, Chapel by the Sea has been providing a place for Christian worship each Sunday for thousands of people who visit South Padre Island each year.

Our Chapel Board of Directors have been elected to provide stability and direction in the achieving of our mission. We are not affiliated with any religious denomination or group.

Our primary mission is to provide a holy place in which God can be worshiped. In addition to Sunday services, the Chapel is available to the public for weddings, funerals, and other religious services.

The Chapel has no members and seeks no members. Most of the people who attend are members of a Christ- based church in their own city.