The beautiful spot nestled in the trees, high on a hill, became the spiritual heart of the camp in 1933, when monies donated helped to build what became known as Chapel Hill. Wooden log benches, a cross and a podium were built and became the spot for the non-denominational services on Sundays.
It was dedicated in 1934 and a scene from that day can be found on page fifty-one in the book “Camp Maqua”. Director Wilma Lewis, camp doctor Lorna Feng (from China), staff member Alice Forbes and YWCA president Mrs. F. Lewis were all present for the event.
A paragraph from the “Loon” in 1965 described the spot. “Chapel Hill”- Sunday morning most of the campers went to Chapel Hill, –where you meet to sing hymns and listen to the reading of the psalms. The view on Chapel Hill is magnificent. The lake is royal blue, which contrasts a royal blue sky. The trees seem to point to the clouds one by one as they float back and forth in the wind. The cross sets off the scent on Chapel Hill. It signifies the way God makes his world so beautiful.”
In 1971, the camp committee sent a letter to Bishop Rae, concerning a priest for camp, but there were no references to a priest ever coming to camp for services. Instead, the Catholic girls were driven into town to attend mass.
Janet Dixon (1950-51), who was Protestant, attended the services on the hill, and felt very close to God in the peaceful setting. “It was very rustic, in the woods, up on a hill overlooking the lake. A simple lectern faced rows of rustic benches, where we sat overlooking the water. I think the counselors conducted the services.”
Sundays were devoted to church services, according to Toni Young’s 1966 program director’s report. The Catholics went to mass in town and the rest were on Chapel Hill and conducted by Toni with the help of counselors. The service for Toni consisted of a call to worship, hymn, scripture, hymn or duet by two counselors, prayer, message, hymn and benediction.
She preferred the song books to the hymnals, as she felt they were not as ecumenical and preferred the New English translation of the New Testament for it’s easy to understand text. (Compared to the King James Version.) She also used the back of the hymnal and “Hymns for Worship” for prayers, as well as some of her own booklets from her previous camping years.
Vespers usually consisted of a quiet song, a poem, more quiet songs and Barbara Haggart usually led both. “The cabins were dismissed after several songs and cabin nine and Senior Village formed a friendship circle to sing taps,” she wrote.
Jane McKinley (1956-59) remembered singing all the time. “I still have my songbook with all the notations. We had vespers before dinner, which was a quiet time with prayer and singing. I always thought that was so nice and I still remember the lyrics to “Peace I Ask Of Thee O River”, which has become a family tradition. I even wrote a theme in high school on singing. When you sing in a choir, there is camaraderie and a shared experience as singing along. Even the singing on Chapel Hill was beautiful.”
Geraldine Folkert (1942-47) and Cynthia Gregory (1960-65) both recalled singing “I Am Climbing Jacob’s Ladder” as they climbed the hill, dressed in their whites. The “culture of Chapel Hill”, the songs and singing as the sun was setting, plus singing the same songs with her sister at home, are still tucked into Pat Rehmus’ (1962-65) childhood memories.
“It was always religiously benign, but a place to reflect,” said Amy Johns (1967-78). “Chapel Hill services weren’t heavy duty Christian. I liked how we filed up singing and back silently, or maybe it was up silently and down singing. I loved the whole ritual. I found comfort in it.”
Mickie Kessler’s mother Irene (Mass) Kessler attended Maqua in the twenties and taught her daughters to sing, “High On Chapel Hill” before they went off the camp in the forties. (The song lyrics were written by Nadine Bell, a counselor in 1934, and can be found on page fifty-three in the book “Camp Maqua”.)
What do you remember about climbing Chapel Hill?
