Longboat Island Chapel celebrates 70 years

Over the course of 70 years, Longboat Island Chapel has seen its fair share of weddings, memorial services, Sunday services, potlucks, support group meetings, fundraisers and much, much more. Approximately 150 community members who played some role in making the chapel what it is today took the time to celebrate that history March 22 at Shook Hall.

The afternoon was filled with reunions, champagne toasts, brunch foods, anniversary cake, live music and ear-to-ear smiles from celebrants.

Sue Reese helped put together a collage of photos and newspaper clippings for attendees to view as they walked into the hall. She was glad to have copies of some of the historical documents that got damaged in the 2024 hurricanes.

Rev. Brock Patterson took a moment that morning to commend the hard work congregants put into rebuilding the chapel from those storms to make it even stronger.

MiMi Horwitz is one of the longtime church members who attended the anniversary celebration, and she said it was moving to reconnect with friends there.

Asked what is so special about the church that has made it last the test of time, Horwitz said she appreciated how welcoming the church was to her as an interfaith organization. Even though she is Jewish, she got to know the Longboat church better through her friend, Christine "Rose" Kennedy.

Horwitz took that acceptance and returned it tenfold as the pastoral care assistant, launching the Shifting Sands Support Group nearly two decades ago. The program still gives community members a space to process significant life changes with the network of support they need.

"Life is like a beautiful beach," she said. "But, sometimes, a sandstorm comes up."

Kennedy added that she believes the church's sense of genuineness and philanthropic mission are what have made it a home to so many people from all walks of life. She shared her appreciation for the spiritual leadership of longtime reverend Charles Shook, for whom Shook Hall is named. He led the chapel for more than 20 years.

His wife, Lois Finley Shook, has been involved with the chapel for more than 30 years now, and she attended the anniversary celebration. She noted the high attendance from so many community members who have been involved at various times.

"I'm not surprised at all," she said with a smile.