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 through the links below.
