Chocorua Island Chapel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Chocorua Island Chapel
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 Chocorua Island Chapel
Location in New Hampshire
Chocorua Island Chapel
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Holderness, New Hampshire |
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| Built | 1881 |
| Website | Chocorua Island Chapel Association |
| NRHP reference No. | 16000644 |
| Added to NRHP | September 20, 2016 |
The Chocorua Island Chapel is a special open-air chapel on Chocorua Island. This island is in Squam Lake in Holderness, New Hampshire. It's a place where people of any faith can come to worship. The chapel was built by young boys from Camp Chocorua. This camp was actually the very first summer youth camp in the United States! The boys used natural materials like rocks, trees, plants, and sand to build it.
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Discovering Chocorua Island Chapel
The Chocorua Island Chapel is a unique place of worship. It's located on an island in Squam Lake. What makes it special is that it's completely open to the air. It was built in 1881. This chapel is a historic spot. It shows how people used natural materials to create a peaceful place.
The First Summer Camp in America
The idea for the chapel came from Camp Chocorua. This camp was started by Ernest Berkeley Balch. He was inspired after a summer camping trip on Squam Lake. Ernest wanted to create a wilderness camp for boys. It would help them grow physically and spiritually.
With help from friends, Camp Chocorua opened in the summer of 1881. It was built on Chocorua Island. This camp is known as the very first summer youth camp in America. It helped start the idea of summer camps for kids.
How the Camp Started
Ernest Balch was born in 1860. He was one of 14 children. His father was an Episcopal minister. Ernest went to Dartmouth College. Before or during his time there, he camped with friends on Squam Lake. This trip gave him the idea for a wilderness camp. He wanted a place where boys could learn and grow.
The camp was built on Chocorua Island. It began operating in 1881. The island was privately owned, but an agreement was made. This allowed the camp to continue. Even though it didn't make money, it was a big step. It led to many other youth camps across the country.
Building the Open-Air Chapel
The Chocorua Island Chapel is truly special. It was built by the boys themselves. They worked during the camp's first summer. They cleared the land and used only natural items.
Natural Materials Used
The boys found a large piece of granite from Squam Lake. It was shaped perfectly for a lectern. This is a stand where a speaker can place notes. They put it next to a big rock they used as an altar. An altar is a table used in religious services.
Every Sunday, they decorated the altar and lectern. They used ferns and wildflowers. The benches were made from trees on the island. The floor was simply beach sand. It was a very natural and simple place.
Services at the Chapel
Two services were held every Sunday. One was in the afternoon for visitors. The other was in the evening for the boys before bedtime. It was a peaceful end to their day.
The camp stopped running after 1889. However, the chapel continued to be used. Visitors still came to the island for services.
The Chapel Association
In 1903, the Chocorua Chapel Association was formed. Eight people created this group. They took over caring for the chapel. They made sure it stayed in good condition. Donations to the chapel now help local non-profit groups.
Even a former president visited the chapel. Grover Cleveland, who was president until 1897, attended services in 1904. The chapel continued to offer worship services. It became a non-denominational place. This means people of all faiths are welcome. In 1928, the island owner gave the island to the Association.
Chocorua Chapel Becomes Historic
The Chocorua Island Chapel is an important historical site. It was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 20, 2016. This means it's recognized as a place with special historical value.
What Makes It Historic
Many parts of the island contribute to its historic status. At the south end, you'll find the wharf and sea wall. There are also docks, two crosses, and a shelter. This shelter holds a memory book.
At the north end, where the chapel is, there are more historic features. These include the cross and altar, the lectern, and the baptismal font. The benches, bell and tower, and the organ are also important. There's also a robing hut and a stone wall. All these parts help tell the story of the chapel.
