A legacy of strong community
Religious adherence was top of mind for the original white settlers to Preacher’s Pt. In fact, it was the sheer preponderance of preachers (10 in all) that gave the finger of land between Little Fork and Big Fork Lakes its first moniker.
The initial summer Sunday in 1905 proved very challenging for the inhabitants of Preacher’s Point because it meant that they had to attend church in the nearest town of Three Lakes. The arduous journey required rowing 2.5 miles to Medicine Lake Landing and then walking an additional 2.5 miles to town.
In 1924, the Chapel In The Pines was built to accommodate the ever expanding number of Northwoods worshippers. On August 5th of that year when the Chapel was dedicated, they raised all the money for construction costs + additional maintenance, a grand total of $1,062.90. The land for the Chapel was owned and donated by the Ladysmith Point and Viden Beach Campers Association. The LP&VBCA remain the caretakers of the Chapel to this day.
By the time they arrived home tired and hungry 6 hours later, it was unanimously decided that “The Lord did not require this of us!” Hence forth, services were held at different cottages on Little Fork, Big Fork, Island and Four Mile Lakes for the next 18 years. The first service of the summer was always a Vespers singing service. Boats came from all directions and held hands together while the hymns were played on a portable pump organ.
Enjoy this Gallery of archival images from the Point!
Click any image to expand it to full screen.
Rev. Turner in nightcap, 1908
Mr. Huebner’s Boathouse, 1951
Dickinson’s Boathouse Little Fork, 1951
Original Chapel In The Pines Survey
Burnt Rollways Dam Family, 1908
The Otto Gilbert launch, Little Fork, circa 1926
Palmer Cottage, Turner’s in Distance, 1908
Enid Saecker White, Little Fork, 1907
Little Fork Lake Saecker Boathouse (L to R, Ruth Saecker Wolfe, Austin Saecker, Enid Saecker white, Mrs. Herman Saecker), 1928
Herman G. Saecker Boathouse, circa 1928 (Farley cottage in background)
H.G. Saecker Boathouse, Little Fork, 1908
L.C. Smith’s Boathouse, Big Fork, circa 1905
Big Fork, Little Fork, 1910
William Saecker Boathouse, Little Fork Lake, 1908
Chapel in the Pines, Circa 1925
Long Lake Bridge, circa 1928
H.G. Saecker launch, Nezod, Little Fork, 1908
Daniel Kirkpatrick, Chair of the Ladysmith Point and Vinden Beach Campers Association, signing the historic Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement between the LP&VBCA and the Three Lakes Community Foundation (circa May 2024).