History
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 small 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 Arts and Crafts Festival, our Gift Auction, and the Yard Sale have all 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.