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August 20th 2019 - Niagara This Week - Fort Erie Times
Cross-border service final major event for Fort Erie chapel’s season of celebration on August 25th.
Cross-border service final major event for Fort Erie chapel’s season of
Point Abino has long been a summer spot for folks from across the border, joining full-time residents on the shores of Lake Erie.
And every year, the Holloway Memorial Chapel hosts a joint service with officiants from both sides of the border. But with the chapel marking its 125th anniversary in 2019, this year will be extra special.
The joint service takes place Sunday, Aug. 25 at 10 a.m. and will be led by Venerable Dr. John Course, rector of Holy Trinity in Fonthill, who will be representing the archdeacon of Niagara and the Rt. Rev. R. William Franklin, retired, assistant bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island, formerly bishop of Episcopal Diocese of Western New York for eight years.
“I am delighted to participate in celebrating the 125th anniversary of our cross-border relationship,” Franklin said. “The time we spend together, year after year, as Americans and Canadians — enjoying summer recreation at a lake whose waters we share, worshipping together — bridges the differences between us and celebrates what makes each of us unique.”
Course, meanwhile said the 125th year for the chapel was “a wonderful milestone to celebrate."
“It is known for an inter-denominational community of Americans and Canadians who come together to worship, to listen to inspiring speakers and engage in respectful discussions. Those who have been married in this chapel also see it as a special place, as do family members who have had the lives of their departed loved ones celebrated there.”
The joint service is the last major event marking the anniversary of the chapel. Previously, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in June with area public officials and a major celebration service was held in July 28 that was attended by more than 200 people. Included in that attendance were 15 couples who had wedding ceremonies over the years, with one couple married at the chapel over 43 years ago.
The Holloway Memorial Chapel was established in 1896 by Harriet Holloway Stafford and James B. Stafford in memory of Mrs. Stafford’s parents, Isaac and Mary Ann Holloway. The Holloway family and descendants continue as longtime residents of the Ridgeway area.
The 2019 service season concludes Sept. 1. The chapel welcomes people of all faiths. For more information on services and special events, visit www.hollowaymemorialchapel.org.
by Richard Hutton
Richard Hutton is a Reporter-Photographer for Niagara this Week, covering everything from politics to community stories and everything in between in Niagara’s southern tier.Email: rhutton@niagarathisweek.com Facebook Twitter
July 28th 2019 - Niagara This Week - Fort Erie Times
Crystal Beach chapel celebrates 125 years with married couples
It was a trip back in time for Derry and Valerie McCauley.
The Orchard Park, N.Y., couple began their married life on July 28, 1985, inside the cosy confines of the Holloway Memorial Chapel near Crystal Beach. On Sunday they were marking their 34th wedding anniversary back at the small white church on Point Abino Road with more than 200 people to help celebrate the chapel’s 125th anniversary.
“We wanted a really small wedding,” Valerie said. “And we both loved the chapel.”
The chapel had always been a part of Valerie’s life. Her family owned a summer home in Point Abino and Sunday services were a part of the summer routine for her family.
The couple met in Buffalo while taking part in a recreational volleyball league. Derry, who wasn’t a member of a team, was roped in at the last minute.
“I was a substitute,” he said with a chuckle. “She’s the one who can play.”
The McCauleys are practicing Presbyterians at their home church, but when visiting Point Abino in the summer they appreciate the chapel’s non-denominational structure.
“There’s always a different speaker,” Valerie said. “It’s very interesting to get a different point of view.”
Derry agreed.
“It’s just sort of nice not to have to follow the same regimen every Sunday.”
Marsha Henderson, who has helped to plan the anniversary events, said the turnout doubled normal attendance for services at the chapel — about 100 people.
“It was a fitting tribute for the 125th anniversary,” she said.
As a part of the season-long celebration at the chapel, Sunday’s event was attended by 15 couples who, like the McCauleys, had chosen the chapel to tie the knot.
The chapel was established in 1894 — predating the point’s landmark lighthouse by 21 years — by Harriet Holloway Stafford and James B. Stafford in memory of Mrs. Stafford’s parents, Isaac and Mary Ann Holloway. The Holloway family and descendants have remained longtime residents of the area.
This season, five weddings will take place at the chapel.
The church continues to hold weekly services during the summer on Sundays at 10 a.m. The chapel is located at 1025 Point Abino Rd. S.
by Richard Hutton
Richard Hutton is a Reporter-Photographer for Niagara this Week, covering everything from politics to community stories and everything in between in Niagara’s southern tier.
Email: rhutton@niagarathisweek.com Facebook Twitter
July 16th 2019 - Niagara This Week - Fort Erie Times
Many a life journey has begun at little white chapel in Fort Erie
To celebrate its 125th, Holloway Memorial invites couples invited back to where their wedded bliss began.
There’s one thing that Roger Dubroy recalls about the day almost 31 years ago when he married his wife, Jacquie.
“It was hot that day — about 98 (F),” Roger recalled of that August day at Holloway Memorial Chapel back in 1988. “We were all dressed for the wedding and everyone is sweating.”
For Jacquie, the reason the couple chose the chapel for their wedding was simple. “We really liked the chapel,” she said.
The Dubroys, who will be celebrating their 31st wedding anniversary on Aug. 13, are one of hundreds of couples who have gotten married at the small white church on Point Abino Road in Crystal Beach. They plan to be among many couples who tied the knot there to return to the chapel to help mark its 125th anniversary.
There will be a special church service held under a tent on the chapel at 10 a.m., followed by a reception and cake cutting.
The Holloway Memorial Chapel was established in 1894 — predating the point’s landmark lighthouse by 21 years — by Harriet Holloway Stafford and James B. Stafford in memory of Harriet's parents, Isaac and Mary Ann Holloway. The Holloway family and descendants continue as longtime residents of the area.
Since records were kept in the early 1900s, more than 275 weddings have been conducted at the chapel for couples from both Canada and the United States. In addition, many baptisms, funerals and memorial services have taken place on the historic grounds.
Roger and Jacqui both lived in the area back in the 1980s and have remained here, with both being employed just down the road — Ron with the Point Abino Dunes Corp. as a property manager and Jacqui as a personal assistant for the Rich family, the owners of Rich Products, which is headquartered across the Niagara River in Buffalo but has a factory in Fort Erie.
Debbie Bauer, treasurer for the chapel, has fond memories of her wedding day to her husband, Mark.
“When Mark and I were engaged there was no doubt where we would be married because the chapel, the members and this area meant so much to both of us, she said. “Our transportation on that very special day 34 years ago was a horse-drawn carriage and people stood along Point Abino Road waving and wishing us well.”
This season, five weddings will take place at the chapel.
The church continues to hold weekly services during the summer on Sundays at 10 a.m. The chapel is located at 1025 Point Abino Rd. South.
[Richard Hutton]
by Richard Hutton
Richard Hutton is a Reporter-Photographer for Niagara this Week, covering everything from politics to community stories and everything in between in Niagara’s southern tier.
Email: rhutton@niagarathisweek.com Facebook TwitterType your paragraph here.
June 6th 2019 - Niagara This Week - Fort Erie Times
Crystal Beach church prepares for Strawberry Festival Set for June 26th,
Crystal Beach church prepares for Strawberry Festival
Holloway Memorial Chapel's 60th annual festival set for June 26
Cathy Messier attended Holloway Memorial Chapel’s annual Strawberry Festival for the first time last summer.
It’s a decision she doesn’t regret.
“It was fun because I was new to the community and the people there were most welcoming,” she said.
The evening was filled with laughter, kind faces and juicy strawberries to feast on.
“I felt happy to be there and I made a lot of new friends,” she said with a laugh.
Members of the 125-year-old small, white clapboard in Crystal Beach on Point Abino Road are preparing for this year’s 60th annual Strawberry Festival, planned for Wednesday, June 26 and everyone is invited.
“You don’t have to be a member of the church. Everyone is welcome,” Messier said.
The festival will be held at the Buffalo Yacht Club, at 1007 Point Abino Rd. from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and includes strawberries, ice cream, a silent auction and raffle.
Messier said proceeds from the festival will be used to help pay for upkeep of the church and to cover the cost of bringing in guest speakers.
Tickets to the event can be purchased in advance for $8 or $10 at the door. Children three and under are free.
For more information on services and special events at the church, visit www.hollowaymemorialchapel.org, or for tickets to the Strawberry Festival, call 905-894-2840.
by Sarah Ferguson
Sarah Ferguson is a reporter and photographer covering the communities of south Niagara for Niagara This Week in addition to contributing to Niagara Life Magazine. She's a lifelong Niagara resident and a graduate of Niagara College's Journalism-Print program. Find her on Twitter @@s_ferguson25.
Email: sferguson@niagarathisweek.com
Our mailing address is:
Chapel
P.O. Box 424
Ridgeway, ON L0S 1N0
Canada
May 16th 2019 - Niagara This Week - Fort Erie Times
Fort Erie church set to mark a milestone year as Holloway Memorial Chapel turns 125 this year
There’s a small, white clapboard church that has stood the test of time in Crystal Beach.
The Holloway Memorial Chapel on Point Abino Road is set to mark its 125th anniversary this summer and there are plenty of events planned over the course of the summer to mark the occasion, including a special service in July 28
The chapel was established in 1894 — predating the point’s landmark lighthouse by 21 years — by Harriet Holloway Stafford and James B. Stafford in memory of Mrs. Stafford’s parents, Isaac and Mary Ann Holloway. The Holloway family and descendants continue as longtime residents of the area.
“The whole point was owned by the Holloway family at one time,” said Marsha Henderson, who is chairing the committee tasked with coming up with programming for the celebrations.
At that time, Point Abino was home to a sand mining operation. When those operations ceased, more residences were built in the area and the church, with the mission of creating residences for people of all faiths — was established.
“That mission is still the mission today,” Henderson said. “It has such a rich history. People used to come here by canoe or horse and carriage.”
The special service will be held under a tent on the chapel lawn, followed by a reception.
The committee is also looking to connect with the many couples who were married at the church and are hoping they will come back for the milestone celebration.
“Making a special request,” said Laurie Wright, a member of the committee.
“We’re putting out the word any way we can,” Henderson added.
“This is quite a milestone for the chapel, which has been offering services continuously for the last 125 years since its founding,” said Marth Rasmussen, president of the chapel’s board of trustees. “The board of trustees includes both Canadian and American members, who are all volunteers, and it is quite an undertaking to present the season each year.”
Other events planned over the course of the summer include an official opening of the chapel on June 23 with a ribbon cutting with guests Mayor Wayne Redekop and Ward 5 Coun. Don Lubberts and Holloway family descendants. Three days later, on June 26, the chapel will host its 60th annual Strawberry Festival and Auction at the Buffalo Yacht Club, 1007 Point Abino Rd. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 the day of the festival.
The 2019 service season will run for 10 weeks from June 23 to Sept. 1. Services are Sundays at 10 a.m.
For more information on services and special events, visit https://www.hollowaymemorialchapel.org or for tickets to the Strawberry Festival, call 905-894-2840.
by Richard Hutton
Richard Hutton is a Reporter-Photographer for Niagara this Week, covering everything from politics to community stories and everything in between in Niagara’s southern tier.
Email: rhutton@niagarathisweek.com Facebook Twitter
Our mailing address is:
Chapel
P.O. Box 424
Ridgeway, ON L0S 1N0
Canada
Photo Caption: From left, Marsha Henderson, Laurie Wright and Cathy Messier are on the committee that is planning 125th anniversary celebrations for the Holloway Memorial Chapel in Crystal Beach. - Richard Hutton/Torstar
