portavisitorsguide

Iconic landmark open for tours


Docents explain the origin of the chapel and the frescoes on a tour of the chapel. Reserve a space on a chapel tour the first and third Saturdays of the month.

Docents explain the origin of the chapel and the frescoes on a tour of the chapel. Reserve a space on a chapel tour the first and third Saturdays of the month.

Learn about one of Port Aransas’ iconic historical landmarks by taking a tour of the Chapel on the Dunes.

Built in the 1930s, it is the oldest consecrated church on Mustang Island. The chapel was built by the family of Aline Carter, poet-laureate of Texas. She served as poet laureate from 1947 to 1949.

Carter shared nondenominational bible stories and ice cream with children who visited the chapel.

Permission was granted to the Port Aransas Museum to conduct tours of the chapel by the late Frank Carter and Aubrey and David Carter. Frank and David were the sons of Aline Carter. Aubrey was married to David Carter. Frank died in 2018, at 99 years of age, David died in 2013 and Aubrey died in 2020.

The Carter family still owns the chapel and allows the community to visit through tours organized by the Port Aransas Museum.The chapel also is a wedding venue.

The popular chapel excursions, held on the first and third Saturdays of the month, are limited to 10 people each, and reservations are required.

The Chapel on the Dunes is one of the 8 Wonders of Port A. Tours are available through the Port Aransas Museum.

The Chapel on the Dunes is one of the 8 Wonders of Port A. Tours are available through the Port Aransas Museum.

Tour directors ask that guests arrive at the museum by 9:15 a.m. Before embarking on the tour, participants will view a short video of an interview with Frank Carter and John Patrick Cobb, the Austin artist that painted the frescoes depicting the history of Christianity on the interior of the chapel.

Visit the museum or call (361) 749-3800 at least one day in advance to make your reservation. Leave a name and telephone number to get on the tour list.

Special group tours also may be scheduled by calling the museum.

On the tour, chapel docents will share information about the chapel history.

Visitors also will see frescoes that cover the interior walls and ceiling of the chapel.

Visit the chapel website www.chapelonthedunes.com for more information.

The chapel is locked between tours, however visitors may walk up the dune to the chapel and view the exterior.

The Port Aransas Museum, 101 E. Brundrett St., is open Thursday through Saturday, from 1 to 5 p.m.

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