“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” -Psalm 19:1
Exhibit Details
The Horseshoe Chapel was constructed by the Order of the Arrow in the 1930. The location was chosen for its majestic view of camp. In 1960, the Chapel was expanded and dedicated to Sgt Frederick Schlaanstine.
The Schlaanstine Memorial Chapel is one of the most memorable places in camp, as it challenges the visitor to look inward as well as outward on the beauty around us.
Chapel Trail Marker
2008 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
Marker at the foot of the Chapel Trail points the way to the Schlaanstine Memorial Chapel. In 1960 the chapel was expanded and dedicated with this marker.
Chapel
Contributed by G. Ernest Heegard
Chapel … a Scout is Reverent.
1960's Chapel Procession
1965 – Contributed by John B. Rettew III
The flags lead the way past Browning Lodge to the Chapel Trail on Sunday morning.
Chapel Procession
Contributed by G. Ernest Heegard
Leading the Camp to Chapel service along the Chapel Trail.
Chapel Procession
Contributed by G. Ernest Heegard
Onward to the services at the Chapel.
Chapel Cleanup
Contributed by Anonymous
Scouts help clean up the Chapel by removing downed branches after a storm.
Chapel View
1981 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
View of and from the chapel in 1981.
Chapel Service
Contributed by Rev. James Goudie
Scouts gather at Schlaanstine Chapel in the ’70s. Allan McEuen, Tr. 176, at the pulpit reading.
Is that Uncle Phil, camp chaplain, seated in uniform in front of the US flag?
Chapel Service
Contributed by Rev. James Goudie
Scouts assemble at the Chapel on Sunday morning in the late ’60s.
Chapel Choir
2008 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
The chapel choir, accompanied Brian Flanagan playing the Horseshoe pump organ, sings at the Sunday worship service.
Chapel Choir
1983 – Contributed by Anonymous
G. Ernest Heegard (left), Pete Motel, Kevin McDermott and Karl “Moose” Winsch sing during the chapel service of the 1983 Section NE-5A Conclave.
Foggy Chapel
2008 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
A foggy view over Camp Horseshoe from the chapel.
Chapel
Contributed by John B. Rettew III
Several folks look out from the pulpit at Chapel on a beautiful sunny day.
Chapel Sunset
2010 – Contributed by Jacob Regensburger
A beautiful scene of a sunset over chapel.
Winter Scouts Own Service
2010 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
Scouts from Hibernia Troop 116 lead a Scout’s Own Service at the Horseshoe Chapel during Winter Camp.
Camp Pump Organ
Contributed by G. Ernest Heegard
The Camp pump organ donated by Phoenixville Mothers’ Auxilliary is brought to the service.
Chapel Benches
2002 – Contributed by Anonymous
The Horseshoe chapel without patrons, showing its amphitheater benches overlooking a beautiful view of camp.
Chapel Benches – Front
2008 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
A front view of the Horseshoe Chapel benches.
View From Chapel
2012 – Contributed by Mike Arles
Camp Director Mike Berkeihiser overlooks the camp from the Horseshoe Chapel.
Early Chapel Benches
1937 – Contributed by John B. Rettew III
This early picture of the chapel shows the board on rocks style pews.
Chapel Pulpit
Contributed by Anonymous
Here is a closeup of the Chapel Pulpit.
Winter Camping Service
Contributed by John B. Rettew III
Devon 50 conducts a religious service at the Camp Horseshoe Chapel.
Winter Camping Service
Devon 50 conducts a religious service at the Camp Horseshoe Chapel during Winter Camp.
Contributed by John B. Rettew III
Devon 50 conducts a religious service at the Camp Horseshoe Chapel during Winter Camp.
Bagpipes
2014 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Jim Harris plays the bagpipes at Rick Crompton Jr. and Kerri Petterson’s wedding at the Camp Horseshoe chapel.
Reverent Sign
2019 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The new Horseshoe Chapel Reverent sign went up in 2019.
Chapel at Dusk
2020 – Contributed by Evan Ellwanger
This beautiful picture of Schlaanstine Memorial Chapel at Camp Horseshoe is one of the reasons it’s one of the most treasured place on the reservation.
Chapel Panoramic
Contributed by Andrew Smith
A panoramic view of Schlaanstine Memorial Chapel.
Chapel in the 1970s
Contributed by Rev. James Goudie
An early morning view from the Chapel in the ’70s.
Chapel Cross
Contributed by Rev. James Goudie
Early morning shot of the cross and view from the Schlaanstine Memorial Chapel.
Chapel View
1969 – Contributed by Rev. Thomas Shanklin
A beautiful view of chapel and the parade field.
Outside Chapel
1969 – Contributed by Rev. Thomas Shanklin
A look outside of chapel in 1969.
Chapel View
1969 – Contributed by Rev. Thomas Shanklin
A beautiful view of chapel and the parade field.
Chapel View
1969 – Contributed by Rev. Thomas Shanklin
A beautiful view of chapel and the parade field.
Altar Side
Contributed by Rev. James Goudie
The altar that was used at Schlaanstine Memorial Chapel in the 1960s.
Front of Altar
Contributed by Rev. James Goudie
The altar that was used at Schlaanstine Memorial Chapel in the 1960s.
Chapel Entrance
Contributed by Rev. James Goudie
A view of the altar from the entrance of the Schlaanstine Memorial Chapel at Camp Horseshoe.
Chapel Gathering – Standing
Contributed by Rev. James Goudie
A number of Scouting parishioners attend a service at the Schlaanstine Memorial Chapel.
Chapel Gathering Seated
Contributed by Rev. James Goudie
A number of Scouting parishioners attend a service at the Schlaanstine Memorial Chapel.
Minister Photos
Display Details
Over the years, many ministers and Scouters have given their blessings, their messages, and their wisdom to those at Schlaanstine Memorial Chapel.
Father Sal
1968 – Contributed by Anonymous
Catholic Camp Chaplain, Father Sal, all knew him as a bread baker, hiker of Horseshoe Trails, and chicken fryer.
J. Holland Heck
Contributed by Anonymous
Chapel message being delivered by J. Holland Heck (around the late 40’s).
Church Service
Contributed by Anonymous
A church service at Camp Horseshoe Chapel
Sunday Service
Contributed by Anonymous
Sunday services at the Chapel.
Large Chapel Service
Contributed by Anonymous
A large audience attends this chapel service with a sermon.
Chapel Service
Contributed by Anonymous
A large audience attends this chapel service with a sermon.
Reading from Scripture
Contributed by Anonymous
This minister is reading from scripture during a Sunday chapel service at Camp Horseshoe.
Sunday Message
Contributed by Anonymous
This Scouter provides a Sunday morning message to the Scouts at Camp Horseshoe’s chapel.
Walter Wright
Contributed by Anonymous
Dr. Walter L. Wright, President of Lincoln University and chairman of Chester County Council District 5 was a guest minister at the Camp Chapel in and around the late 1930’s.
Walter Wright Sermon
Contributed by Anonymous
Dr. Walter L. Wright, President of Lincoln University and chairman of Chester County Council District 5 was a guest minister at the Camp Chapel in and around the late 1930’s.
Walter Wright at Chapel
Contributed by Anonymous
Dr. Walter L. Wright, President of Lincoln University and chairman of Chester County Council District 5 was a guest minister at the Camp Chapel in and around the late 1930’s.
Walter Wright Giving Sermon
Contributed by Anonymous
Dr. Walter L. Wright, President of Lincoln University and chairman of Chester County Council District 5 was a guest minister at the Camp Chapel in and around the late 1930’s.
Videos
Display Details
Here are some videos of various chapel services conducted at Camp Horseshoe throughout the years.
Sunday Chapel Service This is part of the Scout’s Own Chapel Service that the Horseshoe Staff provides the Scouts and Scouters each Sunday morning during summer camp. 2002 – Contributed by AnonymousChapel at Inspection The National Camp Inspection team visits the Camp Horseshoe Chapel and sees an amazing site over the hill and into camp. 1995 – Contributed by John B. Rettew IIIChapel Service Practice The Camp Horseshoe staff, led by Clarke Green, practices before the start of the service. 1995 – Contributed by John B. Rettew IIISunday Chapel Service Snippets of a chapel service, focusing on the 2002 Camp Horseshoe Staff Choir. 2002 – Contributed by Alexander MustoChapel Choir The Horseshoe Chapel Choir sings My Country Tis of Thee. 2016 – Contributed by AnonymousSunset Timelapse A sunset timelapse over the Horseshoe Chapel. 2022 – Contributed by Anonymous
Narratives
Display Details
This display houses any narratives written about the chapel or its namesake, Raymond Frederick “Fred” Schlaanstine.
Contributed by Andrew Coe
Fred Schlaanstine
Raymond Fred Schlaanstine was born in Kenvil, New Jersey on June 23, 1925. He was one of two children. His family moved to Kennett Square Pennsylvania in 1931. His father worked for Hercules Powder Company in Wilmington, Delaware. Raymond liked to be called by his middle name Fred. He graduated from Kennett High School in 1943. Fred was an accomplished viola player, Boy Scout and a member of the New Garden Meeting of the Society of Friends.
Fred joined the Army in September, 1943. After basic training he was deployed overseas to the European Theater in February, 1944. In a letter home, Fred wrote it’s not so bad, except combat. He also said that he had been lucky that only his shovel had been hit.
The newspaper of Hercules Powder Company, shared the following information on December 8, 1944.
Notification on Saturday, December 2, that Sgt. Raymond Frederick Schlaanstine, Jr., 19 year-old of Synthetics Director of Operations Ray Schlaanstine, was killed in action in France on October 25 has saddened the entire company. Fred had spent his last two civilian summers working at the Experiment Station where his forthright manner, winning personality and fine spirit of cooperation endeared him to all.
Overseas since February, 1944, the tall athletic Fred participated in the fight for the Anzio Beachhead, April 28: the push to Rome, June 5, and was in the first wave to land on the beaches of Southern France on August 15. During the Rome engagement, he distinguished himself for excellence in combat, wining the Infantry Badge, and becoming a private first class.
After Fred’s division, the 3rd, then part of the 6th Army Corps, helped to establish the Southern France Beachhead, he was wounded on September 8 at Besancon, France as they pushed up the Rhone Valley. For this he was later awarded the Purple Heart. After being hospitalized for two weeks he returned to active duty in the Vosges Mountains sector. On October 15 he returned to a rest camp, where he was promoted to Sergeant. His last letter home was written on October 24th, the day he again returned to his outfit and active duty. Fred was the type of boy upon which the Army bases its faith for victory. He had held the 100 and 200 yard dash records a Kennett Consolidated School. He was an Eagle Scout, and had been Assistant Scoutmaster of his Scout troop at Kennett Square. A viola player, he also had represented his school on the All Pennsylvania Orchestra, comprised of outstanding talent from schools throughout the state. Fred’s courage and unusual bravery in action gives us all a deep sense of pride…and of true gratitude. At one time the teen-age lad and another boy came head-on to a German munitions tank—and managed, with typical American Know-how and determination, to blow it up. Fred had collected and sent home a large number of German trophies: arm bands, watches and insignia. He had hoped, on returning, to study medicine. His basic training at Camp Wheeler in the fall of 1943 delayed his premedical studies. Home Office shares with the Schlaanstine’s their great loss, and their pride in the boy who, in such a brief period, contributed so much to his country’s future. And we know that Fred would feel the same way about his father, who in the face of such heart break, was on the job as usual on Monday morning. Many who carried on the business with Ray Schlaanstine were unaware of the tragedy.
Jigsaw Puzzle
Display Details
Enjoy this jigsaw puzzle of the Schlaanstine Memorial Chapel. Press this button to play on Jigsaw Planet’s website.
to play on Jigsaw Planet’s website.