by Dick Williams
The Big Moose Community Chapel will celebrate its 80th anniversary on Sunday, July 24 during the two regular services at 9:30 and 11 a.m. A birthday cake will be enjoyed during the coffee hour.
Rev. Dr. Richard McCaughey, who has returned for his 13th season as summer minister, will officiate.
The early history of organized religion in the Big Moose area goes back to the early camps and hotels in the early 1900s after the train through Big Moose opened up the lake for development.
Several ministers were among the first hotel guests and provided worship services at the hotels or in boat houses.
The Old Forge Niccolls Church minister and Inlet Church of the Lakes minister at times would come to officiate at worship services which also took place in the train station and school house.
By 1910 a Chapel committee was formed to procure a more permanent summer minister and between 1914 and 1928 the Inlet church sent a pastor, but the Big Moose people wanted a year-round church so members organized and chose Earl Covey as elder.
In April 1928 members voted to build a chapel at Big Moose Lake and not at Big Moose Station and charged Covey with the task.
Covey, the master craftsman and builder, had previously built Twitchell Lake Inn, Covewood Lodge, Fern Spring Camp, and many others including some in Canada and Florida.
The Chapel committee chose a stone church to cost $18,018 over a wood one to cost $16,418. Covey began in the fall of 1928 to put up a church 70’ by 32’ with a Sunday School wing 30’ by 20’ with a fill cellar.
The Chapel construction ended by July 20, 1930 when the first service was all set, but a fire on the Saturday evening prior consumed the new building. The Adirondack Arrow of July 24, 1930 article said that the reporter found the “greatest spirit of regret and sympathy possible, and with the determination of those most connected, that the building shall go on to completion.”
Fundraising started anew, and Earl Covey rebuilt the Chapel as seen today, 80 years later. The Chapel opened in June 1931 and was dedicated August 2, 1931.
This summer, 2011, the Big Moose Chapel family is pleased to celebrate the 80th anniversary and welcomes summer and year-round residents to participate in worship, go to the Balsam Bee on July 30, attend the bazaar on August 6, and enjoy the Guides Dinner in August 13.
