Boathouse at the Green Lake Conference Center
wealthy businessmen to cover the expense of constructing the first Baptist chapel car . The car , built to Dr . Hoyt ’ s specifications by Barney & Smith Car Company of Dayton , Ohio , was completed in spring 1891 .
From 1890 and 1915 three existing train cars were refitted and ten new chapel cars were constructed . The Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan used two refitted rail cars between the years 1891 and 1898 to reach people in Michigan ’ s Upper Peninsula . The Catholic Church Extension Society acquired three chapel cars , the first of which was a reconstructed Pullman car named St . Anthony after the saint of the lost that remained in service until 1919 . The Catholic Church ’ s two other carriages were built as chapel cars , one serving the Midwest and Northwest from 1912 to 1930 , and the other traveling mostly in the South . These two chapel cars are now property of a private railroad in Wells , Michigan .
The American Baptist Publication Society ( ABPS ) acquired seven chapel cars between 1891 and 1915 : Evangel ( 1891-1924 ), Emmanuel (( 1993- 1942 ), Glad Tidings ( 1894-1926 ), Good Will ( 1896-1938 ), Messenger of Peace ( 1898-1948 ), Herald of Hope ( 1900-1935 ), and Grace ( 1915- 1946 ). Chapel cars visited most states with the exception of those in the Northeast .
The Life and Times of Grace
During our visit to Green Lake we happened onto the last chapel car constructed by the Barney & Smith Car Company for the APBS . Money for its construction was donated by the Conway / Birch Publication Family in memory of family member , Grace , for whom the car was named . This was only the second chapel car made of steel and its interior has the appearance of a tiny church . Grace is fitted with a golden-oak interior , pews , and Gothic
40 Valdosta Scene | August 2022