Chapel History
Chapel of the Snows, located high on the side of Stratton Mountain, stands out as a place of prayer and meditation among the ski lodges, chalets, and inns of this community dedicated to skiing and recreation.
This Chapel was the dream of H.O. "Tink" and Kay Smith and was conceived by a group of their friends of many faiths — Catholics, Protestants, and Jews — who joined forces to sponsor this unique chapel, the first of its kind in America.
Tink, a lumberman from South Londonderry, Vermont, and later Chairman of the Board of the Stratton Corporation, had an idea for people who came to this ski area, especially for those who came on Sundays (when services were conducted early in the morning at the base lodge); they needed a church of their own. He also thought that the majestic old mountain might be a better mountain if it had a little church nestled up on it. "It should be a church for all faiths," Tink said, "a place where all who come to ski can, if they wish, take a few moments for worship and meditation, each in their own way."
In the summer of 1963, Tink's dream became reality, as well as Kay's suggestion that the church be called "Chapel of the Snows." Others who helped bring Tink's dream alive were the Stratton Corporation, which donated the land, Alex Mellvaine, who served as architect to the design of the building, and Robert Pluff, who donated his time as the Chapel's first president and fundraiser.
For over fifty years, the Chapel of the Snows has hosted everything from weddings, memorial services, Catholic masses, Protestant services, Christmas Eve services, Easter celebrations, and more. Come be a part of its history!
This Chapel was the dream of H.O. "Tink" and Kay Smith and was conceived by a group of their friends of many faiths — Catholics, Protestants, and Jews — who joined forces to sponsor this unique chapel, the first of its kind in America.
Tink, a lumberman from South Londonderry, Vermont, and later Chairman of the Board of the Stratton Corporation, had an idea for people who came to this ski area, especially for those who came on Sundays (when services were conducted early in the morning at the base lodge); they needed a church of their own. He also thought that the majestic old mountain might be a better mountain if it had a little church nestled up on it. "It should be a church for all faiths," Tink said, "a place where all who come to ski can, if they wish, take a few moments for worship and meditation, each in their own way."
In the summer of 1963, Tink's dream became reality, as well as Kay's suggestion that the church be called "Chapel of the Snows." Others who helped bring Tink's dream alive were the Stratton Corporation, which donated the land, Alex Mellvaine, who served as architect to the design of the building, and Robert Pluff, who donated his time as the Chapel's first president and fundraiser.
For over fifty years, the Chapel of the Snows has hosted everything from weddings, memorial services, Catholic masses, Protestant services, Christmas Eve services, Easter celebrations, and more. Come be a part of its history!
