Begun as a mission of the Salem Center Presbyterian Church, the Chapel held it first worship service on June 2, 1974. The original vision was to provide a service between Memorial Day and Labor Day to provide a place of worship for our seasonal community.
The mission broadened with the coming of Rev. Jack Newell in 1979. The small schoolhouse was filled to overflowing. Plans to construct a multipurpose pavilion began in 1983. Newell retired in 1985, and the Chapel invited Rev. Thomas E. Smith to become full-time pastor in 1986. Under Rev. Smith’s leadership of nearly 38 years, the Chapel retired its building debt and became self-supporting. Additional acreage was purchased in 1992, and in 1993 the Newell addition was completed adding classroom and office space. The Memorial Garden was added in 1998, and the Celtic Cross was added in 2000.
Upon Pastor Tom’s retirement in 2023, the Chapel was blessed to welcome Rev. Chris Schaefer. Rev. Chris (Pastor Chris) and his wife Cheryl, who serves as our church administrator have instituted several new ministries that will broaden and deepen the reach of Jesus’ love through the Chapel of the Lakes.
2024 was an exciting year for the Chapel as we celebrated our 50th Anniversary. On August 11th we held our 50th Anniversary Homecoming Celebration. We honored Rev. Thomas E. Smith as Pastor Emeritus for his 38 years of distinguished service (1986-2023). The Memorial Garden was dedicated to him in honor of his vision and service to the Chapel. Rev. Chris Schaefer shared our vision of opening the doors for new ministries that will broaden and deepen the reach of Jesus’ love through Chapel of the Lakes.
So far in 2024, the Session of the Chapel, has spear-headed several projects to renew and refresh the Chapel. We have cleaned, painted, and repaired. We have installed new sidewalks, removed overgrown trees and landscaping. Through the direction of Sue Rupp, master gardener and member, we have new landscaping. The schoolhouse has been repaired and repainted. We will soon be upgrading our technology so that livestream and recorded services will be available to those who cannot join us for worship and fellowship every Sunday at 10:00. It’s a new day, at Chapel of the Lakes