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St. Elisabeth's Chapel-by-the Sea was built through the efforts of Mrs. T. Robinson Warren of New Brunswick, NJ as a thank offering for the restoration of the health of her daughter, Cornelia. The original design was a modification of the New Jersey seashore cottage style, using vertical siding and scalloped shingles. While there have been alterations to chapel's exterior, the interior of the chapel remains in its original condition.
The chapel is
beautiful in its simplicity. Upon entering the building through its
small vestibule (narthex), you get the feeling you are in a miniature
cathedral. The vaulted ceiling and the transepts are finished in natural
wood. The stain glass windows date back to over 100 years ago, and were
restored in 1993.
In 1916, the
daughters of the founder deeded St. Elisabeth's Chapel-by-the-Sea to the
Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey. The description of the memorable
day is quoted from the Ocean County Review:
“With the chapel
filled to capacity and with the boy’s choir from St. Mark’s Church,
Philadelphia, the Ven. R. Bowden Shepherd, Archdeacon of the
Episcopal Church, NJ, dedicated the Memorial Chapel of St. Elisabeth on
Sunday, July 14, 1916. In a short address before the sermon, Archdeacon
Shepherd called attention to the loving devotion of those who
had built the chapel in the wilderness by the sea,
looking forward to the day when thriving communities would grow up
around it. Each timber and shingle, he continued, was a memorial to the
devotion and faithfulness of those who had gone before and whose spirit
mingles with those present in the dedicatory services."
April 26, 1922 was an
eventful day in the history of the chapel. On this day, a brush fire was
burning along the railroad right of way when a high northwest wind came
up, causing the fire to break out of control. Bayberry bushes adjacent
to the tracks quickly caught fire and the waxy brands were blown like
fiery torches through the sky. Soon the elegant Victorian hotel on
Second Avenue and several cottages, as well as the roof of the chapel,
were afire. Through the grace of God, the volunteer firemen were able to
save our beloved chapel. We believe that St. Elisabeth’s is the oldest
remaining building in Ortley Beach.
The chapel has endured the severe northeasterner of 1962
when two adjacent oceanfront homes were carried out to sea. Two other
oceanfront homes were so badly damaged that they had to be torn down.
The chapel also survived the northeasterner of 1992 when the water
reached to within two inches of the baseboards of the chapel.
Some of the major improvements that have been done in recent years
include the installation of the bathroom, the residing of the chapel’s
exterior, the installation of working shutters, and the installation of
new cabinets in the narthex. In 2004, central air-conditioning and heat
were installed and we purchased new pew cushions. In 2005, an irrigation
system was installed. The chapel was completely insulated and we have a
new roof. For the first time ever, we will hold services at the chapel
throughout the entire year. Our dream for a fellowship hall is going to
be realized in 2009. Please continue to visit our web site. We will post
pictures as the work progresses
Our Arts and Crafts Festival and our Gift Auction have become major annual events in Ortley Beach.
St. Elisabeth’s Chapel-by-the-Sea has been serving the
spiritual needs of residents and vacationers of the barrier island every
summer since 1885.
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