Amelia Plantation Chapel (Amelia Island, USA)
Amelia Plantation Chapel
This venue is located on the south end of Amelia Island at the Amelia Plantation. This cozy venue is surrounded by nature and many amazing Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival concerts were performed here in the past. We look forward to the amazing concerts performed here during our 19th season.
In 1974, when Amelia Island Plantation was very new, a small group of property owners felt a need to have a church of their own on the south end of Amelia Island. These church founders represented a variety of religious traditions as well as a variety of personal and career backgrounds. They were, however, joined in the bond of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, a commitment to worship the Living God, and a common mission to witness and serve Him in their community. Thus was begun the interdenominational church known as Amelia Plantation Chapel.
In the beginning, Sunday worship meetings were held wherever space was available around the Plantation such as the old Community Center, the current Orvis shop location, and the original Owner’s Room. With time, the new congregation’s numbers increased and the Amelia Island Company graciously offered space for worship in the Conference Center and the Beach Club. In those early days, and for years thereafter, several ministers from churches in Fernandina Beach came south so that the Chapel “pulpit” was occupied every Sunday.
By 1977, the congregation numbered 84 and adopted a Constitution defining Amelia Plantation Chapel to be an interdenominational congregational church with governance vested in a Governing Board. Among other important provisions, the Constitution provided two equal categories of voting membership: Full Membership for those with no other formal church affiliation and Associate Membership for those who retained membership in another church – an important consideration for members who kept a residence away from Amelia Island. On March 15 of 1977, the State of Florida issued a Certificate of Incorporation that recognized Amelia Plantation Chapel, Inc. as a non-profit, tax-exempt entity.
The congregation slowly grew and it became apparent that a church home, a Sanctuary, was needed. The Governing Board established a Building Fund which also grew slowly, primarily from memorial contributions. In 1986, the Governing Board initiated a strong effort to increase the Building Fund. An appeal was made by mail to local property owners; annual member pledges were established to bolster the operating budget; and Amelia Plantation Chapel embarked on a program to reach out to new members. In addition, 1986 saw a very significant step in the life of the Chapel with the hiring of the first full-time pastor. Soon the whole congregation, and many friends besides, enthusiastically supported the need for a permanent building.