Welcome To St. Andrews Chapel By The Lake

St. Andrew’s Chapel has been a special place for many people. The tiny wood structure in the middle of a locust grove was a schoolhouse for some years when in 1885 Mrs. Hannah Strowger Burnett, who had been conducting services in her home, was granted permission to conduct them at the little District No. 9 schoolhouse. In 1913, the Burnetts purchased the building outright as a memorial to Hannah Burnett, who had died in 1908, for permanent use as a place of worship, and it was at this time that some ecclesiastical features began to appear. The rosewood altar was designed from the concert piano of Hannah Strowger Burnett. Candlesticks, hymnals, prayer books, and other devotional needs were supplied through gifts of the parishioners. The chapel was self-sufficient financially and the Burnett family was proud that they never asked for a penny of support from the Diocese. By the 1930’s, St. Andrew’s was known as a “summer chapel” and during the warm months was visited regularly by area clergy, who were provided with a cottage on the grounds, formerly a stable, in return for their priestly services. In later years the custom developed to invite a clergyman from Canada to take on summer duties in exchange for the use of the cottage. Having fallen into serious disrepair, the cottage was razed by the Diocese in 1983. In the 1980’s the Rector of Church of the Good Shepherd began to conduct summer services at the chapel. This practice has continued, and currently services are conducted by Rev. Lance Robbins on Sundays in the summer months. In addition, due to his special love of the chapel, the first Christmas service was held in 2000. Easter Sunrise and Easter Vigil services were added in subsequent years. Good Shepherd parishioners have attended to the needs and upkeep of St. Andrew’s, and at the end of 2018 the chapel was deeded to Good Shepherd by the Diocese. We are fortunate to have this wonderful place of worship.