Silver Bay commemorates milestone chapel anniversary

SILVER BAY | There is a place that exists not too far away from any of the local townships. The atmosphere there is tranquil, allowing serenity to slowly permeate the physical human body as Lake George greets the sunrise and whispers to the sunset every evening. Adirondack Victorian architecture graces the campus, its buildings in their century-old glory creating an emotional safety net. Strategically located towards the middle of the layout is a chapel, stoic, basking in its perfect mix of organic allure and understated resplendency. The July morning light streams through an ornate stained-glass window composed of blues, reds, and yellows, crafted during America's Gothic Revival. Inside, a string quartet rehearses, providing a melody that mirrors the energy of the harmonious environment. Silver Bay YMCA's Helen Hughes Memorial Chapel has graced the grounds for the last century, a beacon for thousands and their families on their spiritual and worship journeys. On June 25, the Chapel celebrated its milestone 100-year anniversary of its dedication. "Silver bay is a spiritual home for many people, and it manifests in the Chapel," said Garth Allen, Spiritual Life Director. "People come here year after year for family reunions or for vacation and part of that is attending events in the Chapel. They may not be super active in a church at home but when they come here, they are engaged- this is really that spot where they connect with God." Helen Hughes, for whom the Chapel was named, was born in 1892 as the second child of Charles Evans Hughes and Antoinette Carter Hughes. Charles served as New York State Governor from 1907-1910, Secretary of State under President Warren Harding, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court until 1941. Helen attended Vassar College and was introduced to the hypnotic beauty of Silver Bay while a student there. Upon her graduation in 1914, Silver Bay would continue to be hugely impactful in her life as she worked tirelessly in her religious endeavors. An acclaimed woman of faith and integrity, Hughes passed away from complications with influenza and tuberculosis at the age of 28. The site the Chapel sits upon was said to be one of her favorite resting places at Silver Bay. On June 19, 2021, the first cornerstone of the Chapel was laid by Helen's mother, and a year and six days later, the dedication ceremony was held, a large choir of Vassar women donning white dresses in honor of Helen in attendance. Silver Bay and the Chapel are ever-evolving, established visitors returning like a moth to a divine flame, and new visitors also being captivated every year by the magnificence that greets them upon arrival, and the Chapel is a huge source of captivation. "There's a lot of pride in people's connections to Silver Bay," said Jay. "One of the first questions people ask is 'how long have you been part of Silver Bay?' Some people will answer they are a fifth-generation Silver Bayer, which means families have been connected since the 1930s. There're families with long histories and more recent families getting to know this community." The hillsides of Silver Bay provided the granite used in building the chapel, with masons shaping the stones on site. The native chestnut trees that grew on the property became the interior's pews and woodwork, with the woodwork being created by local craftsmen and students from the Silver Bay Boys' School. The aforementioned stained-glass windows were designed by Joseph Gardiner Reynolds, Jr. Other windows of his hand are found in numerous notable cathedrals churches, and chapels in the United States, along with his sketches and brainstorming paperwork being stored in the Smithsonian Institute Archive. The Chapel was a commendable labor of love by many in the area and a source of local pride. In present-day, it's still retained its original charm and arguably has aged with inarguable grace, but there are a few items on the maintenance list in need of tackling to keep her in tip-top shape. "As part of our celebration of the anniversary, we have started a fundraising campaign to preserve the chapel for the next 100 years," said Hannah Jay, Development Director. "There's a variety of projects that need to happen in order to update and modernize." A new hearing loop system was installed this past spring, with items still in need of repair being replacing the carpeting, expanding altar area, new signage out front, replacing the stairs in front, and updating the heating and cooling system. "With this being such a historic campus, many facilities on the campus require additional maintenance to ensure we can continue loving them and using them and they can continue to serve our needs today." "It's a balance between preserving the historic space that has created so many memorable and transformative experiences for people and be able to serve our modern community." Tamlyn expressed his desire to clear up the misconception that attending services at the Chapel is exclusive to only YMCA members. "We're not a denomination; we're a mountain chapel. Whoever you are, wherever you are, wherever you are in your journey, you're welcome here," he emphasized in his soft-spoken tone, inviting the neighboring community members to attend services and enjoy the Chapel's splendor. "We all come together; with what's going on in the world with the political divide with religious overtones to it, we don't get caught up in that at all. We are here to worship God in our own way with respect for everybody." A special commemorative event is planned for August 14 at 1:30 p.m. in the YMCA auditorium for a special recognition of the 100th anniversary of the Chapel. People particularly connected to the Chapel will be speaking and music will be a part of it, with the opportunity for self-guided tours afterward, inspiring reflection and contemplation. To contribute to the restoration fundraiser, or for other inquiries, contact Hannah Jay at 518 543 8510, or email at hjay@silverybay.org. "You have to wonder if Charles Evans and Antoinette Hughes knew the impact the Chapel would have?" Tamlyn mused rhetorically. "You can't even begin to measure the impact this place has had on so many people's lives for so many years; it's a pretty remarkable legacy."

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Silver Bay commemorates milestone chapel anniversary

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