239-472-4648
Dr. Ran Niehoff
March 18, 2022 – The Sanibel Historical Village will present its second Twilight Talk on April 5 at 7:00 p.m. at The Community House. The topic is “God and Sanibel: The History of Religion on the Islands.”
From the indigenous Calusa to the diverse church groups on Sanibel today, islanders have always contemplated the questions of human existence.
Like all island history, the story of religion on Sanibel and Captiva is filled with fascinating stories. The first church, built on the beach at Casa Ybel, was Rev. Barnes’ majestic Church of the Four Gospels. It was destroyed by the 1910 hurricane, and salvaged pews are still in residence at Sanibel Community Church. While St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church is known today for its legendary “Noah’s Ark” thrift shop, that congregation was founded with a strong sense of social justice. More compelling history comes from the unique formation of Captiva’s Chapel by the Sea, along with heartbreaking early stories of its little cemetery.
Noted Sanibel theologian/conservationist, Dr. Ran Niehoff, will be the featured speaker for this talk. In the past, Niehoff has taught classes on the stewardship of creation – the intersection of ecology and theology. Currently he teaches in the Winter Academy of BIG ARTS and writes a column in the local magazine, Times of the Islands. His Twilight Talk will examine the universal questions of meaning along with the unique history of various religious groups on Sanibel and Captiva.
Supplementing his talk will be still photographs illustrating the rich history of religion on the islands. Tickets are $15 per person and may be purchased in advance by calling 239-472-4648 or at the door.