As is the case with any community, Sanibel and Captiva have places of worship for people of all denominations. Some of the churches on Sanibel and Captiva actually constitute more historical than modern facilities. These islands have attracted a diverse selection of people from around the world and, because of that, there are many religious organizations represented on this island. Sanibel churches include the Sanibel Community Church and the Sanibel Congregational Church, both of which are located on Periwinkle Way near the center of the island. The churches on this island are involved in numerous community activities.
Some of the churches on these islands offer a peek into the history of their habitation. The first settler on Captiva Island was an Austrian man named William Herbert Binder. This homesteader settled on the island in the year 1888. The Captiva Chapel by the Sea has his grave in its churchyard. There are many other historical sites to explore near some of the older places of worship on the island. There is also a historical village preserved on Sanibel Island which includes one of the original houses of worship constructed on the island.
Both the Sanibel Community Church and the Sanibel Congregational Church maintain websites which offer a glimpse into their involvement in the community. Some sermons are also posted on these websites. Other churches located on Sanibel include Catholic, Episcopalian and other denominations. The population on both of these islands tends to be fairly diverse, thus the variation in places of worship is rather high relative to the total population. Most of the churches on Sanibel, as is the case with most of the developments, are located on the eastern portion of the island along Periwinkle Way. Some churches are located close to the shoreline.
Visitors to Sanibel will find no shortage of houses of worship in which they can attend services. Whether one is Baptist or Episcopalian, Catholic or Unitarian there are facilities available. Most of these organizations are represented in the various community festivals held throughout the year. Because of the building codes on these islands, one should not expect the towering spires to which they may be accustomed on religious buildings. Like all of the buildings on these islands, these structures are built to be lower than the tree line. Many find their quaint and simple nature to be an excellent fit with the overall culture of the island.
