History of the Log Chapel
The church originally began in 1932 with a group of women who met in a home on Fritz Cove Road. In the late 30’s with more families settling in the Auke Lake area Rev. Glasse, pastor of the downtown Juneau Northern Lights Presbyterian Church, began helping families organize a Sunday school. They met in various homes, and then settled in a white frame summer home on the corner of Fritz Cove Road and the Hwy. As a belfry and bell were added, a name was sought. Rev. Glasse mentioned that it was just a little Chapel by the Lake, and so it began.
So It Begins
In 1951, the Church was organized under the Presbytery of Alaska and the Synod of WA-AK of the Presbyterian Church, to serve the community of Auke Bay. At that time, the need for a new building became apparent. Land was secured on the present site known as the “most photographed site in Alaska”. Purchased for $2,300. In April 1952, dedication of the new chapel site and tree falling service was held.
Timeline
1952– Volunteers cut 120 Spruce logs 48 ft long, trucked them to the site, peeled the logs, and dried them on racks to be seasoned.
1953– The foundation was poured, shake trees were felled (half hand split by the church members and visitors).
1954– The Church building committee, led by Elwood Reddekopp, began staking the walls. This was a repetitive process of hoisting the logs into place, measuring, and marking, lifting the logs back to the ground, cutting, and re-hoisting the logs back into place until the logs were within a 1/8 inch of the proceeding logs. The logs were drilled and steel rods were hammered through.
1955– Decking and roofing was completed. Finally, with the walls done the doors and windows were cut in.
1958– Rev. Smith dedicated the Log Chapel on April 13.
Fun Facts
1.) Value at completion $65,000 ($40,00 in volunteer labor)
2.)Architect- Linn Foresst Sr.
3.) Logs caulked with plumbers oakum
4.) Pews made from double laminate milled and constructed here in Juneau
5.) Bell is a retired bell from the Pacific Railroad donated by the House of Hope Presbyterian Church in St. Paul Minnesota.
From the Archives
The Chapel-By-The-Lake
Through hoar-frost magic and sparkling snow
To the time when the cones and green tip grow
On cathedral trees, our believers go
To the Chapel-By-The-Lake.
The clear bell calls where the forked roads rove,
And the answers comes from “the Loop”, Fritz Cove,
Mendenhall, Auke Bay, “Mile Fourteen”: a drove
To the Chapel-By-The-Lake
Where the evergreen form a hallowed aisle
Upon the knoll where the wood fold file,
We cross the bridge to God a while
To the Chapel-By-The-Lake
The glacier climbs the mountains high,
Alaska’s Ladder to the sky.
All Heaven is mirrored to challenge our try
At the Chapel-By-The-Lake.
For sin and evil cannot breed
By a lily pond or a bright fire-weed.
The Creators love is Nature’s seed
At the Chapel-By-The-Lake.
Who knows to what stature a soul may rise
Who’s passion is solace for human cries,
Because His father opened his eyes
At the Chapel-by-The-Lake.
When storms and sorrows encompass our day
And fair-weather friends are slipping away,
“Please lend us the quiet and beauty,” we pray,
“Of the Chapel-By-The-Lake!”
From “Alaska Driftwood” by Carol Beery Davis
HIS
Four Nunataks, stark, staunch, they stand
In wintery blasts and shining sun.
So Matthew, Mark, Luke and John stood firm
In their Faith of the Anointed One.
The glacier, shattered, crumbling it moves,
Renewed by the snow on its heights.
So, too, the Apostles, Peter and Paul
Given strength thru the blessing of light.
The mountains, tree covered, they grow
Ever reaching their arms into space.
So too, we as sinners with hope love nd trust
Are promised His bountiful grace.
The lake, pure and fresh it lies
A jewel, its value unseen
So, gifts of the Magi; gold, incense, and myrrh,
Their value and worth, then undreamed
The shape, man built, its usage
For those who come and partake.
A lifetime of labor; joy, service not rest
All these for our dear Savior’s sake.
Stand firm pinnacles, ice-river move on,
Grow forests, lush green and straight
God given, in trust , to all who attend
The chapel, that stands, by the lake.
R.A. “Dutch” Derr
