The Chapel of The North American Martyrs
By Pati Egan
In 1959, the first year of Camp, the campers had Mass in the Grotto. The Chapel was not built yet. The 50th Anniversary Book notes that the Chapel was dedicated June 12, 1960. This was the formal dedication of Camp Ondessonk.
The Chapel was designed by long-time volunteer Tom Halterman of St. Philip’s Parish in East St. Louis, Ill. The Chapel was built by volunteers organized by Monsignor J.J. Orlett of St. Mary’s Parish, dean of the South Deanery of the Diocese. There was no air conditioning. I have heard that the stained-glass windows came from the old St. Elizabeth’s Parish in East St. Louis but I don’t think that is correct because this was an active parish in the early 1960s. Students who went to St. Teresa Academy in East St. Louis attended Mass at St. Elizabeth’s. The windows most likely did not come from there.
This pre-Vatican II photo shows a communion railing with a gate that was seen in all Catholic Churches at that time. Notice that all girls wore head coverings. Campers went to Mass every morning.
As Camp grew it became difficult for each unit to attend mass every morning. Units would go twice a week and sides of Lake Echon would determine when your unit attended Mass.
Mass attendance during the week was appreciated but presented challenges to both the Unit Leader and the campers.
This Camp schedule shows when units had to be at Mass. Units were expected to wear their unit shirts. Breakfast followed quickly after Mass. Activities started at 9:30 am. The units would have to hurry back to their unit, change out of their unit shirt, and be at their first activity on time. The far units, such as Raganeau, would have to be up by 6:00 am to arrive ready to go by 7:25 am.
The staff manual printed in the 1970s listed the duties of the unit in charge of the Mass.
On Sundays, benches were placed on the sides of the Chapel to handle the overflow of campers and staff who attended Sunday Mass.
Just like today, the main gathering place for units for evening activities was the area between the Chapel and the Dining Hall. It could get very noisy outside the Chapel. Some campers had already attended Sunday services before they arrived at Camp. Ropes would be put up as barriers with signs saying quiet area but that really didn’t work.
In 1977, renovations were completed on the Chapel. By this time there were 12 units and the seating area was just too small for six units to fit in the Chapel at one time. An altar platform, ceiling insulation, stained glass windows, and an enlarged seating area were added to the inside as well as a stone tabernacle inset behind the altar.
Volunteers from St. Patrick’s Parish in East St. Louis, under the direction of Paul Fournie, completed the rock work that campers now associate with the Chapel. The doors are mahogany wood brought from Haiti. The Chapel now had the shape campers, volunteers, and staff have worshipped in since the late 1970s. I could not find when air conditioning was added, but I do remember that it was probably around 1980.
The Chapel of The North American Martyrs finally took on the shape it has today.
Sunday Mass for the whole Camp is now held in the Grotto. Campers can attend an optional Prayer Service every day in the Chapel.
The Chapel has taken on a modern feel. Anyone is welcome to come in. Rosaries and Prayer Books are available. There is something very comforting and welcoming about the Chapel. All Faiths are welcome. Just like in the early days of Camp you will still find Campers stopping in just to say “Hi God.”
I don’t know if Tom Halterman envisioned his basically A-frame Chapel still in use 66 years later. I remember his daughter, Pam, once telling me, “Not everyone can say that their dad designed a Chapel!” Good job, Tom, it’s still showing off the wonder of creation all these many years later.
The Chapel takes on a stunning look at night when it is lit up. It serves as a reminder of God’s presence at Camp Ondessonk. It is a welcoming light for all to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. The inside is inviting and open to any who want to find a place of quiet reflection.
Click here to learn more about Camp Ondessonk’s history.