Get to know us

History

What is now called the Metaphysical Chapel of Life began under a different name in October of 1985. In 2025, we'll be celebrating 40 years of metaphysical spirituality in Hampton Roads, Virginia.

The Metaphysical Chapel of Life is affiliated with our mother church, the Church of Enlightenment.

The Chapel of Life was founded by the Reverends Bill Whitley, Cathy Manino, and Irwin Yacker.

Here's a video of Rev. Bill Whitley sharing a brief overview of the Chapel history, along with recognition of the Chapel's ministers, past and present. This video was recorded during our Homecoming Services, Celebrating 38 Years of Spiritual Inclusion, ​on Sunday, October 22, 2023.

Purpose

Our purpose is to provide a place to worship God from within our own beings, free from dogma or the controlling influences of any one specific religion.
This means the open acceptance of everyone and every religion, understanding that we all worship the same God within and without.
Furthermore, the purpose of the Chapel is to share the love and light in ourselves and others so that we are open and receptive to the flow of Gods light and love.

Principles

We believe in the Divine Consciousness of God, the spirit of everlasting goodness, and the oneness of all life.

We believe in the continuity of life in all dimensions of expression.

We believe in communication between the planes of expression.

We believe that soul growth and development are the purpose of life.

We believe that dedicated service is the way of life.

We believe that each individual is responsible for their progression here and hereafter.

We believe that the “Christ Consciousness” is the mediator between God and humanity.

We believe that the “Universal Laws” represent a science of life and therefore a perfect method for spiritual progression.

Our Expression

At the Metaphysical Chapel of Life, one of our main goals is the raising up of "Light Bearers" and the edification of the Light of God in each person. A "Light Bearer" is someone who acknowledges the existence of God in their heart; and who chooses to live and act from that point of contact. This is not an easy task, because it is hard to move the ego-self out of the way and to let the God part of us act and be a part of our lives.

Our emphasis is on God, not on phenomena; and our message it that God resides inside of every individual, not "out there" somewhere in the sky. That the goal of Humanity is to acknowledge the internal Higher Power that propels us through life, and to consciously choose to allow that Higher Power to work through us.

The Metaphysical Chapel of Life has no basis in nor subscribes to any dogma. We strive to operate from the point of Universal Christ Consciousness; and we accept people as we find them. We don't seek to change anyone. People come to the Chapel because they are free thinkers. They are questioners, and they want to hear a different message then the one heard for generations and generations like a broken record. Something inside them has said "Wake up! There is more to life than this!" — and so they find their way here.

The Chapel differs from other Churches in that there is no one speaker. Different voices are heard each Sunday. The Chapel provides an opportunity for people to share their Light - not merely an opportunity for the congregation to sit passively and listen to what only one person has to say. Our Board of Ministers confers over the Spiritual aspects of the Chapel and the Board of Directors manages the business aspects of the Chapel. All decisions are made by consensus, and our belief is that we are all mirrors of each other. We cannot hide from each other and truly discover ourselves.

Membership in our Chapel does not require renouncement of any other affiliation. Only a choice to serve the God in yourself - so that you may then prepare yourself to serve the God in others. We extend our hands in grateful service, and we salute The Light in all.

This is our Expression.

We believe that all people have the ability to perceive beyond the physical. Those of us who are more developed are able to help others in their growth through the process of "reading.” We believe in the philosophy of the seven Universal Laws as first described by Hermes the Alchemist and described today in the book, The Kybalion. We believe that if a person receiving a "reading" is uncomfortable with the information they receive, they are able to change the projected outcome by changing the path they are on.

We believe there is no predestination.
​
Fate is never sealed.

Our Philosophy

Our leadership

No single person's voice speaks for the Chapel. All our ministers, board members, and volunteers are just that—dedicated volunteers. We work together as a community to maintain and continue to build the Chapel.

Our Board of Directors oversees the 'business' side of the Chapel, and is elected by our members annually in December.

Our ministers oversee the 'spiritual' side of the Chapel, and are ordained after an application process that goes through the Chapel and our mother church, The Church of Enlightenment, as well as a novitiate period of usually 1-4+ years.

You can learn more about our ministers, board members, and volunteers below.