Nichols Designs

When visitors come to CPC, and they have a camera, The E.H.Nichols Chapel is always one of the first pictures taken. Going back more than three quarters of a century that custom just sort of fell into place. The Nichols Chapel, on the highest ground at "THE POINT", shows up in all the photo albums located in The Lawrance Administration Building. The Nichols Chapel is one of "ROCKS" at Conference Point. Some restorative procedures are underway right now. Heidi Strand, the camps director, is very excited about that direction for this coming year.

Here is a little history about The E.H.Nichols Chapel. --- Way back before 1900 there was a wooden rectangular chapel in almost that same spot. It served the founder, Dr Joseph A. Collie, and his church family. It was a rather simple structure --- certainly not the most esthetic but it was a beginning for church service. According to some of the hand drawn maps of that day there was a pathway going directly up from the point that went straight to the dining room cutting in half the circular area where the chapel now stands. Today that pathway leads to the main doors of the chapel.

Mr. E.H.Nichols, a Chicago Business Man, during the summer of 1906 came to visit CPC. He was the President of The Cook County Sunday School Association. There was a new movement within the churches for Sunday School Training and Development. He formed The Lake Geneva Sunday School Association and purchased Conference point from the Collie Boys. Dr. Collie had died in 1904. E.H.Nichols deeded the property to the Lake Geneva Sunday School Association. He wanted Conference Point to be tied to INTERDENOMINATIONALISM and travel together for Sunday School Training.

Conference Point Camp took it's name in 1908. The chapel was dedicated to him August 2,1925 on the hill top and it stands today as a BEACON of CPC'S HISTORY and it's service to God. N.Max Dunning was listed as the architect - his professional studies took him through The Prairie School of Architecture well remembered with Frank Lloyd Wright.

Our CAMP FAMILY REUNION will be in August. Give God a chance to dazzle your life.

Best wishes from the old album guy.

don brandeau