Chapel Island

In 1885, Mr. Alexander Brandon was approached by village officials to sell a piece of land he owned known as "Limerock". Limerock was an island along the East Shore of Greenwood Lake. The island would be used by the church for services. The island was sold for $1000.00, a large tent was erected there in 1886, and services began there in summer of 1886. The island was then called Chapel Island. The church was incorporated on June 28, 1886 and given the name "Church of Strangers". Invitations were sent out to pastors of many denominations to use the island as locations for worship, but only the Episcopal Church responded. The Episcopal Church took over the "Church of Strangers" in 1888 with the understanding that they would conduct services there June through September. In 1900 a wooden building was built along with a stone tower, choir room and preaching platform. In 1902, the church was named "The Church of the Good Shepard" and moved into the village of Greenwood Lake (site 4). The Episcopal Church fell into hard times and Chapel Island was sold to Edward Schradin in 1953. Mr. Schradin began building a house there but the structure caught on fire and was burnt to the ground. Mr. Schradin sold Chapel Island to Mr. Victor Ludmerer in 1959. In 1980, Mr. Ludmerer began the building of his private house on Chapel Island. By 1983 the house was complete and remains a private residence to this day.

Link to historic photo/drawing of site

 

Ramapo Catskill Library System - About I Spy - Kids' Web Search Tools