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All Souls Chapel |
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All Souls Chapel |
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"The idea of a chapel was first proposed in 1885
or '86. A Mr. Julius Gassauer had started religious services for employees of the dining
room. Held, at first, outdoors, it became necessary to find shelter in case of rain. When
meetings were transferred to the dining hall, guests of the hotel began to attend and
added to the Chapel Fund, which grew to about $2,500. About this time, some of the ladies of Poland organized a Children's
Fair for the purpose of encouraging the children of the hotel's guests in their ambition
to help humanity. The proceeds were given to a Fresh Air Fund to benefit poor children
from large cities. With their success in raising money, the Poland ladies agreed to work
for a fund large enough to build a chapel. Local families and hotel guests raised
approximately $15,000, and the Ricker family, as promised, contributed an equal
amount." (Poland Bicentennial, 1795-1995) |
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Various designs for the chapel were considered over the next
several years. The leading contender in 1895 was a stone and half-timbered gothic
edifice. The design that was ultimately adopted was of a considerably more
restrained design. "In September of 1909, construction got underway with a ground breaking ceremony. Two-year old Garret A Hobart III removed the first spade of dirt. His grandfather had been United Stated vice president under William McKinley." "All Souls Chapel was designed in Early Norman and Gothic style by Boston architect G. Henri Desmond, who presented the plans to the Rickers as a gift. The work was done under the supervision of Forest Walker." (Poland Bicentennial, 1795-1995) - |
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"The Hill-Top magazine stated that only the best obtainable materials were used in the chapel's construction: Maine granite; quartered oak for ceilings, doors and other interior woodwork; marble for the font, pulpit, and mop boards; brass for sills, reading desk, railing; and inlaid mosaic on the floor. The tower is 46 feet high, with eight windows, two on each side." (Poland Bicentennial, 1795-1995) "This is the inside view of the Chapel - that is, part of it. The side windows are very pretty, but you don't see these. We had a good sermon last Sunday - Rector from Lewiston." (E.P.B., Postcard message, July 18, 1913) - |
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"The opening service in All Souls Chapel on September 1, 1912 was presided over by the Reverend Herbert B. Hutchins of Lewiston and the Reverend Henry R. Rose of Newark, New Jersey, who gave the address. The organist was Mrs. George Austin Morrison Jr. of New York. Her husband sang the offertory. Mr. Daniel Kuntz, violin, and Mr. Fritz Bruch, violoncello, both of the Poland Spring Orchestra, provided obbligato." "The first organ in All Souls Chapel was a Mason & Hambim, obtained from the company in Boston for $238.50, including the bench. In 1925, a committee of hotel guests was formed to raise money for a new organ. It was then that the Skinner organ was purchased for $7,000. It was dedicated in August 1926, with a concert by William E. Zeuch of Boston. William M. Johnson of New Jersey gave the dedication speech." (Poland Bicentennial, 1795-1995) - |
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The All Souls Chapel is now under the supervision of the Poland Spring Preservation
Society, an organization dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the two
remaining historic buildings on Ricker Hill, the Maine
State Building and the All Souls Chapel. Saul Feldman turned over these two buildings
to the society in 1977. "All Souls Chapel still provides a beautiful setting for weddings christenings, funerals, and memorial services. The Poland Spring Preservation Society, so far this year, has made reservations for thirty weddings. And the chapel is still open 'to all denominations, all creeds, all men (and women), of whatever race, color, condition.' " (Poland Bicentennial, 1795-1995) |
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Brian Harris 07-March-1998 |
