Beaches Museum and Church of Our Savior Begins New Valentine Tradition At Historic Chapel

The Beaches Museum & History Park and the Church of Our Savior invites couples to a Valentine’s Day Renewal of Marriage Vows Ceremony on Friday, February 14th at 6:00 p.m. in the historic Beaches Museum Chapel, 505 Beach Boulevard, Jacksonville Beach. A reception in the Beaches Museum will follow the ceremony. The ceremony will be conducted by the Reverend David Ball, Sr. Pastor at Church of Our Savior. The ceremony is open to all couples, with a special invitation to those that were married in the historic St. Paul’s By-The-Sea Chapel. There is a suggested donation of $25 per couple. Due to limited space, please reserve your seating by contacting the Beaches Museum at 904-241-5657 or email
LindaHouseholder@BeachesMuseum.org
“Many people have had important life events in this chapel over the years,” said Dr. Maarten van de Guchte, Executive Director of the Beaches Museum & History Park. “This ceremony will begin a new Valentine’s Day tradition to celebrate those moments once again in this historic setting.”
Murray and Tom Trotta of Neptune Beach, who were married at St. Paul’s By-The-Sea on May 28, 1965, plan to celebrate at the ceremony.
“Celebrating 49 years of marriage in the chapel where we were married holds much personal significance,” said Murray. “There are many memories. I grew up there attending church, Sunday school, confirmation class, EYC (Episcopal Young Churchmen), and the Junior Altar Guild. During the holidays, the church was filled with elongated trumpets and majestic music.”
Kathleen and Mel Fannin with family at their wedding in 1973
Kathleen and Mel Fannin of Ponte Vedra, who were married when the historic chapel was at Beaches Chapel on May 5, 1973, are celebrating forty years of marriage at the ceremony.
“I grew up in the church,” said Kathleen. “The doors were always open, the lights on the altar reflected a sense of peace and renewal like walking on the beach. It was confirmation to me of God’s grace and His still quiet voice assuring me.”
At the reception following the ceremony, prizes will be presented to the couple that has been married the longest and the couple that has traveled the furthest for the event.
The Beaches Museum Chapel was built as St. Paul’s By-The-Sea in 1887 at Second Street South and Second Avenue. For many years it served as a mission church for the visitors and residents of the seaside resort town of Pablo Beach, now Jacksonville Beach. In 1952, the chapel was moved to 11th Avenue North, where it was continued to be used by the congregation until a new church was built in 1967. In 1970, the chapel was given to Beaches Chapel and moved to Florida Boulevard in Neptune Beach. In 2012, the Beaches Museum acquired the chapel from Beaches Chapel and moved it to Pablo Historical Park in Jacksonville Beach so that it could be preserved as part of the history of the beach communities. The museum restored the chapel, which included rebuilding a lost bell tower that was part of the original chapel configuration. The Beaches Museum Chapel is made available to the community for special events including weddings, memorial services, and performances.
The Beaches Museum is also searching for couples who are interested in sharing their wedding memories at the historic church for its archives. For more information please contact the Beaches Museum at 904-241-5657
About The Beaches Museum & History Park
Beaches Museum & History Park is operated by the Beaches Area Historical Society at Pablo Historical Park, Jacksonville Beach, Florida.
The mission of the Beaches Area Historical Society is to nurture civic pride for the distinct history of the Beaches, while providing education, information and entertainment for those who live, work and vacation in our communities.