I grew up with a love for old churches and cemeteries and still love to tour these histrorical places whenever I can.
My home is filled with crosses and one of my favorite pieces is a large rosary from Italy.
The person my mother purchased it from said her intent was to use as a table centerpiece but I decided the perfect place was in my stairwell so I can see its beauty daily.
Not only as a reminder of my spiritual beliefs, but of my mother.
After church today, at Resurrection Catholic in Miramar Beach, we were taking the beach drive home and decided to drive by the little church in Frangista Beach called “St. Nikolas by the Sea”.
Upon stopping at the church I noticed a couple taking a photo. As I was taking this in, I realized I knew them!
It was friends from Mobile, AL who Lisa and I recently sold a Majestic Sun condo to.
I jumped out to get hugs and hellos and Diana and I snapped this photo together. What a wonderful place for a quick reunion!
St. Nikolas by the Sea has roots take us back to the early 1900s when John and Ruth Nitsos moved to the Emerald Coast.
They bought the land that is known as Frangista Beach along Scenic Gulf Drive. He named it Frangista after his hometown in Greece.
In honor of his father, John built St. Nikolas by the Sea as a place to gather for prayer. It is my understanding that John died just before the first service was held in the newly completed church, in the 1950s.
His daughter Penelope renovated the chapel in the early 2000s and today is a place for prayer, reflection, and weddings.
If you take Miami Street off Scenic Gulf Drive, go two blocks, then turn left.
On your next visit to Destin, I highly recommend you drive by St. Nikolas by the Sea. This place is one of our little pieces of spiritual history, and is a must see!
We recently sold the home on the corner of Miami Street, as Frangista Beach is filled with beautiful beach homes that do well as rental investments or second homes.
If you are interested in more information about the real estate in this area, please give us a call or send an email.