The Beaches in Jacksonville Beach in Duval County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Beaches Museum Chapel
Photographed by Stephen Thomas White, February 4, 2026
1. Beaches Museum Chapel Marker
It was the first Protestant church constructed for beach residents. Previously, worship services were held at the Murray Hall Hotel, which burned down only a few years later. Until 1927 services were only held during the summer when the beach hosted many tourists from the Jacksonville area and beyond.
Consecrated on August 14, 1887, the Chapel has a rich history at the beaches. Many residents grew up attending church and later getting married at the Chapel. The Chapel was originally located two blocks south of its current location and two blocks from the ocean in what is now Jacksonville Beach, then known as Pablo Beach. It has been moved four times around the beach area from Pablo Beach to Neptune Beach and then to the Beaches Museum History Park in 2012.
The Chapel currently hosts weddings and events, church services, history lectures, concerts and is available
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St. Paul's By-the-Sea Episcopal Church in original location.
Church service being held while the Chapel is in the process of being expanded, 1960
Beaches Museum Chapel being moved from Neptune Beach to the Beaches Museum History Park.
Beaches Museum Chapel at current location.
Current interior of Beaches Museum Chapel.
Congregation gathering in front of St. Paul's By-the-Sea Episcopal Church in 1955.
Erected by Rotary Clubs of Jacksonville- Oceanside & Ponte Vedra Beach.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.
Location. 30° 17.317′ N, 81° 23.656′ W. Marker is in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, in Duval County. It is in The Beaches. It is at the intersection of Beach Boulevard and 4th Street South, on the right when traveling east on Beach Boulevard. The marker is located within the Beaches Museum History Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 381 Beach Boulevard, Jacksonville Beach FL 32250, United States of America.
Photographed by Stephen Thomas White, February 4, 2026
2. Beaches Museum Chapel Marker
Regionally, this marker is in First Coast, in Greater Jacksonville, and on the Sea Islands. It is also in the American South and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Oesterreicher-McCormick Homestead (a few steps from this marker); Florida East Coast Foreman’s House (within shouting distance of this marker); Doolittle's 1922 Record Flight (within shouting distance of this marker); Florida East Coast Railway Depot (within shouting distance of this marker); Porter Wood Burning Locomotive (within shouting distance of this marker); The 1911 Train Engine (within shouting distance of this marker); Steam Locomotive No.7 (within shouting distance of this marker); Pablo Beach Post Office (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jacksonville Beach.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Pablo Beach FEC Foreman's House (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. This marker replaces an earlier marker and includes additional information.
Also see . . . Beaches Museum & History . (Submitted on September 15, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 15, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 15, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
