Urge Cameron County to Honor Chapel Lease
The Issue
The Chapel by the Sea on South Padre Island has been a beacon of faith and community since 1979. For over four decades, this chapel has held its end of the bargain, faithfully adhering to the terms of its century-long lease agreement made with Cameron County. It stands not just as a place of worship, but as a cornerstone of our island’s identity, serving countless residents and visitors alike with its spiritual and community services. The recent announcement by Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino and Commissioners Benavides, Lopez, Garza, and Ruiz to declare the lease faulty and pursue eviction is not only unexpected but deeply unsettling.
This beloved institution now faces the threat of losing its physical home because the Commissioners aim to redevelop the land for resort amenities, claiming such a move would benefit the public. However, the potential loss of The Chapel by the Sea would strip the community of a vital spiritual and cultural pillar, one that has fostered unity, support, and continuity for generations.
The Chapel has consistently shown its commitment to the community and the lease agreement, acting in good faith and maintaining responsibility over its stewardship of the land. The alleged faultiness of the contract, signed in good faith in 1979, should not be grounds for displacement of such an important community asset. The Chapel by the Sea deserves to stay as a testament to our community values and history.
We implore Judge Trevino and the Commissioners to reconsider their decision. Rather than pursuing new developments that prioritize commercial interests, respecting longstanding commitments to community spaces rooted in history and service is crucial.
Sign this petition to show your support for The Chapel by the Sea and to urge Cameron County officials to retract their eviction plans. Let them know that our community’s heritage and integrity are worth preserving over commercial development. Please lend your voice to protect this essential sanctuary. Sign now and help safeguard our beloved Chapel by the Sea.
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The Issue
The Chapel by the Sea on South Padre Island has been a beacon of faith and community since 1979. For over four decades, this chapel has held its end of the bargain, faithfully adhering to the terms of its century-long lease agreement made with Cameron County. It stands not just as a place of worship, but as a cornerstone of our island’s identity, serving countless residents and visitors alike with its spiritual and community services. The recent announcement by Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino and Commissioners Benavides, Lopez, Garza, and Ruiz to declare the lease faulty and pursue eviction is not only unexpected but deeply unsettling.
This beloved institution now faces the threat of losing its physical home because the Commissioners aim to redevelop the land for resort amenities, claiming such a move would benefit the public. However, the potential loss of The Chapel by the Sea would strip the community of a vital spiritual and cultural pillar, one that has fostered unity, support, and continuity for generations.
The Chapel has consistently shown its commitment to the community and the lease agreement, acting in good faith and maintaining responsibility over its stewardship of the land. The alleged faultiness of the contract, signed in good faith in 1979, should not be grounds for displacement of such an important community asset. The Chapel by the Sea deserves to stay as a testament to our community values and history.
We implore Judge Trevino and the Commissioners to reconsider their decision. Rather than pursuing new developments that prioritize commercial interests, respecting longstanding commitments to community spaces rooted in history and service is crucial.
Sign this petition to show your support for The Chapel by the Sea and to urge Cameron County officials to retract their eviction plans. Let them know that our community’s heritage and integrity are worth preserving over commercial development. Please lend your voice to protect this essential sanctuary. Sign now and help safeguard our beloved Chapel by the Sea.
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Petition created on July 16, 2025