The History of Christ Union Chapel

On a Sunday evening late in the summer of 1909, a few friends gathered in a neighbor’s cottage to sing hymns and give praise to God.  The following Sunday a larger crowd gathered, filling the cottage, porch and lawn.  Visiting neighbor Rev. Wallace Fleming was asked to preach, but declined since this was to be a meeting of song and praise.  He did say however, that “while enjoying the beauty of the lake and mountains, they were neglecting public worship and depriving their children of Sunday School advantages available at home”.  He expressed hope that a chapel might be built where all who desire to do so could meet to worship God.

The following summer of 1910, Christ Union Chapel was built and started services.  The Chapel’s constitution states that “the purpose of the Chapel is to promote Christianity by all proper and recognized means of a non-sectarian character, and to provide a place of meeting and spiritual contact, uplift and meditation for summer sojourners and for residents of the community”.  Over 100 years later the Chapel is still a place for believers of all denominations to fellowship and worship Jesus Christ.  The lighted cross atop the steeple shines as a symbol of hope that can be seen from all shores of the lake.  The Chapel exists not to replace a person’s home church, but to provide a place of worship when away from home. Since 1910, the Lord has blessed us with over 20 godly men who have faithfully held the title of “Pastor of Christ Union Chapel”.  

The original historic wooden framed structure still sits much as it did in 1910.  In 1955, the addition of a fellowship room and two classrooms were added.  Later, a Centennial campaign raised the funds to refurbish the pastor’s manse, upgrade the chapel kitchen and modernize rest rooms.