Posted on 11/22/2013By the Ocean Reef Editorial Team
Many of our Ocean Reef Resorts guests arrive on our glorious, gorgeous gulf shores to seek rest, rejuvenation, and renewal. Destin's crystalline white sand beaches and emerald toned waters revitalize the spirit as married couples rediscover each other, families spend valuable quality time together and friends rekindle their affections. It is an easy place to be close to God and nature due to the bountiful natural beauty bestowed upon these blessed shores. Even the spectacular skies seem to reflect a certain type of majesty in their heavenly blends of color that makes one feel for that one special moment, "all is right with the world." Besides the visual splendor, there is the soothing sound of the surf, an abundance of wildlife, and a laid back ambiance that does wonders for the soul.
There are formal offerings of worship available here as well since often times a visit here may coincide with Easter, Thanksgiving, and even Christmas. Easter provides the message of rebirth in Love. Thanksgiving gives us an opportunity to count our blessings and give thanks. Christmas provides the message of Divine birth and the fact that we are part of God's plan. Weddings are also held here and although a lot of people have lovely ceremonies on the blessed beautiful beach, some desire more organized celebrations of their nuptials in the religious denomination of their upbringing. We are pleased to provide a brief review of places of worship in alphabetical order that are available in the Destin area during your visit here.
Corpus Christi Catholic Church is located at 307 Beach Drive offering Mass on Saturdays at 5:00 pm and on Sundays at 10:30 am. Corpus Christi's first mass was celebrated on October 31, 1977, in the Lake Shore Room at Shoreline Towers in Destin. A new church was constructed in 1983 and completed for dedication on June 24, 1984. Their mission: "Parish has one purpose to continue the mission of Jesus Christ. The primary goal is to help every member grow to the fullness of his or her vocation and develop a parish family atmosphere for ourselves and visitors." Corpus Christi can be reached at (850) 654-5422.
Destin Church of Christ, located at 150 Beach Drive, offers communion services every Sunday at 9:00 am with Bible Studies on Sundays at 10:30 am and on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm. Their mission: "To know and worship God, to live the gospel of Jesus and to encourage one another in faith, hope and love welcoming visitors from all walks of life." You can reach Destin Church of Christ at (850) 837-8050.
Destin United Methodist Church is located at 200 Beach Drive with regular services on Sundays. Contemporary Worship is in the Life Center at 9:00 and 10:45 am with Traditional Services in the Sanctuary at 10:45 am. The Life Center is a 45,000 square foot building that opened in the summer of 2009 with a vision of providing a recreational "place for you" with programs and meeting facilities for members as well as visitors. Their mission: "A community of the Holy Spirit committed to following Christ, connecting with God and others, growing in the habits of Jesus, and serving others in the Spirit of Jesus." You can contact Destin United Methodist Church at (850) 837-2984.
First Presbyterian Church of Destin is located at 151 Calhoun Avenue offering services on Sunday at 10:00 am. This is preceded by Adult Sunday School at 9:00 am. This church began in 1927 in the home of Captain Billy Marler who was one of the founding fathers of Destin and first named it "The luckiest fishing village in the world." Their mission: "Strive to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ through our words and deeds as we endeavor to be examples of the Good News." Contact First Presbyterian Church of Destin at (850) 837-6425.
Grace Lutheran Church is located at 4325 Commons Drive West with services offered at 9:30 am on Sundays. Their mission: God is Trinity in God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is the gospel with the good news revealed in His birth, resurrection, and ascension. The proper response to the gospel is faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ, a faith that is naturally accompanied by repentance from sin characterized by a changed life and saving faith as evidenced by kingdom service or works."
Contact Grace Lutheran Church at (850) 654-1679.
Resurrection Catholic Church is located at 259 Miramar Beach Drive in Miramar Beach offering Vigil Mass on Saturdays at 5:00 pm and Sunday Mass at 8:00 and 10:30 am. Their mission: "As people of the Eucharist, loved by God, we choose to serve" and from a prayer by St. Francis of Assisi "Most High Glorious God, enlighten the darkness of our minds. Give us faith, a firm hope and a perfect charity, so we can always and in all ways act according to your Holy Will." Contact Resurrection Catholic Church at (850) 837-0358.
Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church is located at 801 Airport Road with Sunday service at 10:30 am preceded by Sunday School at 9:30 am. Their mission: "We believe people are starving for the greatness of God in their lives and that with worship and fellowship, you may be blessed with a taste of God's sweetness and the splendor of His Son Jesus Christ." Contact Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church at (850) 837-2133.
St. Andrews By-The-Sea Episcopal Church is located at 307 Harbor Boulevard with Adult Education on Sundays at 8:45 and Holy Eucharist at 10:00 am. Morning Prayer is also offered Mondays Thru Thursdays at 8:30 am. St. Andrews by the Sea was built in 1953 and was the tallest building in Destin for quite some time. Its steeple once served as a navigational aid for boats out in the Gulf. They are an Anglican Episcopalian Church. Their mission: "As followers of Jesus Christ our Lord, we believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and strive to love our neighbors as ourselves." St Andrews Episcopal Church is available at (850) 650-2737.
Village Baptist Church is located at 101 Matthew Boulevard. They offer services on Sundays at 9:00 and 10:30 am. This church was originally founded in 1976 just "a stone's throw from the gulf." Early members donated time and effort to acquire the land at the same location, clear it and build the worship center. Their mission: "Belief that every member is a minister and has a story to tell about the great things of God" and "make an eternal impact on the lives of those less fortunate." You can reach Village Baptist Church at (850) 837-8107.
It should be noted that Destin United Methodist Church also has started having services of worship on the beach behind the former Destin Holiday Inn at 7:30 am on Sundays, weather permitting. There are also special beach services conducted for worship at sunrise on Easter mornings by some congregations which will be announced.
Here at Ocean Reef Resorts, we wish all of our visitors the very best that life has to offer. We hope you plan your Destin Vacation with us and that we will see you soon!
The Ocean Reef Editorial Team leads the market in vacation rental, real estate, and coastal lifestyle content, with decades of Destin & 30A expertise behind every story. As the area's largest locally owned and longest continually operating vacation rental company, we welcome over 200,000 guests each year and reach millions who dream of the beach. Our guides serve travelers, homeowners, and locals alike, sharing authentic knowledge you can trust-because this coast isn't just where we work, it's where our story began, and where we'll continue to welcome generations to come.