Annual Letters
In the summer of 1927, St. John’s “Priest-in-Charge,” the Rev. Kenneth Ripley Forbes, wrote a letter to summer residents of the Lake Winnipesaukee islands. The letter explained the mission of St. John’s-on-the-Lake and announced the schedule for formal dedication of the Chapel.
“This church has been placed where it is in order to minister to every sort of person who makes this beautiful region a vacation spot, either for long or short periods. Regardless of what your religious affiliation at home may be, we hope that you will join each Sunday with us at this community centre of worship.”
Over the decades the welcoming legacy of the “summer letter” has been continued by the St. John’s-on-the-Lake Association through the annual Association Letter.
These annual letters are traditionally sent in the Spring and provide Chapel news and information on visiting clergy for the coming Summer. In 2007 the Association also began the tradition of a Christmas letter-card sent to friends of St. John’s-on-the-Lake.
Reviewing the annual Letters that have been sent over the decades by the St. John’s-on-the-Lake Association provide an historical snapshot of important events in the Chapel’s history. The letters have been authored by members of the Association board and in most cases its President. No less important, the letters underscore the contributions of the many volunteers who over the decades have labored selflessly to maintain the Chapel and provide opportunities for worship during the summer months.
Copies of the Association’s Letters since 1955 are included below. (Click on the individual dates below to find the link to each.)
1964 Letter 1967 Letter 1968 Letter 1969 Letter
1970 Letter 1971 Letter 1972 Letter 1973 Letter 1974 Letter 1975 Letter 1976 Letter 1977 Letter
1982 Letter 1984 Letter 1985 Letter 1986 Letter 1987 Letter 1988 Letter 1989 Letter
1990 Letter 1991 Letter 1992 Letter 1993 Letter 1994 Letter 1995 Letter 1998 Letter 1999 Letter
2000 Letter 2001_Letter 2002_Letter 2003_Letter 2004_Letter 2005_Letter 2006 Letter 2007 Letter 2007 Christmas Letter 2008 Letter 2009_Letter
2010 Letter 2011 Letter 2012 Letter 2013 Letter 2014 Letter 2015 Letter 2016 Letter 2017 Letter 2017 Fall Letter 2018 Letter
Annual Worship Schedules
For years 1927 – 1954 St. John’s was operated under the direct sponsorship and supervision of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire. Since 1955 the St. John’s-on-the-Lake Association has sponsored and organized religious services for the diverse and scattered summer islands population of Lake Winnipesaukee.
The Association went dormant in 1960, and the Chapel was closed from 1960-1961. During this two year period extensive vandalism occurred. Coupled by neglected repairs, the existence of the Chapel was in crisis. In 1962 the Association was revitalized. The leadership was reorganized and over the next two years extensive repairs and renovations were made to the sanctuary and tower. This was also the period when the organ was acquired and a replacement bell was installed in the tower.
The robust schedule of services held in the summers of 1962 and 1963 are described in detail in a memorandum prepared by John Ripley Forbes, then President of the St. John’s-on-the-Lake Association. The document was prepared for the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire as a summary of the Association’s reorganization, fundraising and restoration activities. It is noteworthy that in 1962 only three of the eight Sunday services of worship were Episcopal. (Click on the individual dates below to find the link to each.)
Report of the Association – 1962-1963
1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
