Mission and History of
Chapel in the Pines
Gather in Grace, Grow in Faith,
Serve in Community, Glorify Christ!
The Mission of Chapel in the Pines
The Chapel in the Pines Church established a Constitution Committee in July 2007 to frame a constitution that would clearly define the Chapel's interdenominational mission, identity and covenant whereby all Christians of established denominations (e.g., Lutheran, Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian, etc.) are welcome to worship together, share their faith and learn how much as God's children we have in common, without exclusion. Our constitution requires the continuation of the visiting pastor program, a defining feature and mission of the of our church that reinforces our commitment in embracing all established Christian denominations.
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​Our fiscal year ends on June 30th and we hold an Annual Congregational Meeting in July to approve the previous annual meeting minutes, the budget for the next fiscal year and Election of members to Church positions.
The History of Chapel in the Pines
Our church has roots dating back to the 1920s, when a group of summer-time Red Feather Lakes residents gathered in what is now the Chapel Thrift Shop on 960 Ramona Drive. Built in 1929, services were held during summers by a variety of pastors, many of who became Red Feather area residents.
In 1961, the congregation had grown to exceed the confines of the building and moved its services to Red Feather School. At this same time, it was determined it was time to build a permanent chapel in Red Feather Lakes. The chapel site was donated by a local family (Swansons) in 1962.
Byron Swanson, then a theological student, encouraged the Red Feather Lakes community to develop a local Interdenominational church in the area. By 1962 a church building was under construction with the help of donations and land, and the idea became a reality where people from various Christian denominations (e.g., Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Catholic, etc.) could worship together, share their faith and learn how much they had in common. How wonderful that a group of summer vacationers with varied church backgrounds put aside their differences to come together to worship their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
The first service in the new Chapel was held on July 21, 1963. There were no pews and folding chairs were used until the new pews arrived in 1969. Services were held with no furnace, no well and no septic system. Our Chapel in the Pines was originally designed to hold summer services only but once-a-month winter services began in 1994. It wasn’t until 1995 when water services and restrooms were constructed and year-round services began to be held.
The year 1969 also saw the construction of the Chapel manse, a comfortable 2-bedroom mountain cabin that is located on-site that hosts our visiting pastors and their families.
Music has always been an important component of the Chapel’s ministry. The Chapel’s baby grand piano was donated by Marvin and Kathryn George two days prior to the 1963 opening. It is carefully maintained and the 130+ year old Henry F. Miller piano still plays beautifully today.
The Chapel’s 3,000 square foot Fellowship Hall was constructed in 2003 and is a desired rental space for weddings, meetings, concerts, workshops and other community events in Red Feather Lakes. This facility features a kitchen, large meeting area, upstairs classroom, restrooms, offices and a full basement.
In 2012, the Chapel in the Pines completed its campus construction with the addition of an enclosed hallway between the Fellowship Hall and the Chapel, new restrooms, a narthex and an additional upstairs meeting room.
The Swanson Memorial Garden, adjacent to the Chapel grounds was established in 1988. It is the only internment facility in Red Feather Lakes. The grounds host cremated remains and includes a memorial wall for those who wish to rest eternally in Red Feather Lakes.
