OUR HISTORY
100 Years on Echo Bay…
The roots go deep. They reach back across the century to pioneer families who came to Fox Island from Grinnell, Iowa and started the Congregational Church of Fox Island in 1892. They named their settlement ‘Sylvan Glen’ in honor of the wooded beauty surrounding them and became the first permanent colony on this remote island. On August 19, 1900, ‘Eels Bell’ rang out high atop the new steeple announcing the dedication of the lovely white chapel on Echo Bay.
“Why ‘Echo Bay’? This sheltered cove on northern Fox Island was so named for the legend that says an echo will resound seven times around the bay before it dies away. Echoes of the past still seem to fill the cozy sanctuary, which over time has served as house of worship and celebration, library, meeting hall, performance center, and heart and soul of the island community’s heritage. Parishioners walking home from vespers by lantern light would part their ways at the top of the hill with an ‘Amen!’, lending the traditional name ‘Amen Corner’ to the current site of the post office and store. Over the past 100 years this same congregation has owned and cared for the little chapel, and those who marvel at its admirable condition should know that it is now the oldest public building in continual use on the peninsula!”
--- By Rev. Bruce Kline, UCC Pastor 1986-1995
The roots grow deep indeed! But as the congregation of the Fox Island United Church of Christ celebrated their Charter Centennial Year (1892-1992) at their historic little chapel, questions resurfaced concerning the need to expand their ministry to the Fox Island community with a larger facility.
In 1996, the arrival of our young new pastor ~ Rev. B.J. Beu ~ marked a renewed interest in growth. A church-sponsored group, the Chapel Preservation Society, began efforts to rally the community into a massive capital campaign to purchase and preserve the historic landmark. A flurry of community meetings resulted in the formation of a new grass-roots group, the Fox Island Chapel Preservation Society. Business plan in place and bolstered by tremendous community support, the little white Sylvan Church was purchased by the same community it had served for a century, and is now a site for traditional celebrations and venue for the performing arts.
The pride of the Sylvan Glen pioneers, their little Chapel was dedicated on August 19, 1900. Exactly a century later, the Chapel Centennial was celebrated on August 19, 2000 by its new owners. The Congregation had moved on, building its hope for the future on five acres at the top of the island. You are invited to join us now on the journey into the 21st century! Please visit this friendly congregation in our elegant new facility, and see for yourself why this 116 year-old Congregation is still alive and well…
God is still speaking at the Fox Island United Church of Christ!