Early History of the Ocean Plaza Hotel Part Two

Ocean Plaza 2019

Welcome back to "The Book Of Historical Secrets." This post is the second in a series of three parts on the early history of the Ocean Plaza Hotel. If you haven't read my last post "Early History of the Ocean Plaza Hotel Part One" I would recommend that you read that first before reading part two.

After Martha’s death, the ownership of the Inskip Cottage passed to John E. Inskip, who was at the time of Martha’s passing a resident of N.Y. State. John Edward Inskip was born in 1859; he was the grandson of Rev. John and Martha Inskip. John E.’s father, John Foster Inskip died when John E. was less than a year old.

In 1893, when John E. Inskip was in his 30's, he purchased the business owned by Joseph A. Wainright. The business was located in the building where the museum of the Historical Society of Ocean Grove is today at 50 Pitman Ave. Mr. Inskip purchased the Grocery, Hardware and Crockery Departments, while Mr. Wainright continued to operate the house-furnishing department. After Mr. Inskip purchased the grocery business of Mr. Wainright, Mr. Inskip moved himself and his family (wife, Emma and two sons, Harry and John) to Ocean Grove. 

In 1894, John E. Inskip hired a local contractor named Nelson H. Kilmer to renovate and enlarge the Inskip Cottage. The photo below was taken in 1894 showing the Inskip Cottage before construction was started. The cottage was transformed within 60 days into a 3½ story hotel with 36 rooms. Mr. Inskip named his new hotel, The Inskip House. It appears that Mr. Inskip decided that rather than run the hotel himself, he would rent it out. It was a common practice in that day for people such as Mr. Inskip to rent their hotels to entrepreneurs who would run their own hospitality business out of them.

Photo from the 25th Annual Report of the President OGCMA 1894

Inskip House 1911

When construction of the Inskip House was nearing completion, there was a notice in the Ocean Grove Times (11/17/1894) that The Inskip was being leased for 5 years to a Miss M. J. Holt. This apparently fell through because two months later in the January 12^th, 1895 addition of the Ocean Grove Record, there was an ad announcing that The Inskip House was for rent. A few months later The Inskip was rented to Mrs. Mary Fitzgerald of Baltimore. Mrs. Fitzgerald rented The Inskip for 10 years. All together The Inskip House was rented for a period of 33 years to various individuals until the property was sold in 1929 to someone outside of the Inskip family.

In May of 1896, it appears that Mr. John E. Inskip sold his property at the corner of Ocean Pathway and Beach Ave. (Lots 487 & 488) to his father-in-law, Isaac G. Flack. For the sum of  $5,996.96.

Sanborn Map of Ocean Grove 1905 Sheet 52

Mr. Isaac G. Flack was a businessman from Lansingburgh New York and a well-known summer resident of Ocean Grove, New Jersey. Mr. Flack was born In Lisbon, St. Lawrence County, New York, July 4^th, 1830. Mr. Flack was involved in many different business ventures in his life. The most notable of which was in 1871, when he established with his brother, William A. Flack, a wholesale grocery house in Troy, New York, under the firm name of Flack & Brother. In 1884 William A. Flack retired and Isaac G. Flack formed the firm of Flack & Co., his sons being interested in the business. He also found time to take an interest in public matters. The people of Lansingburgh elected him as their supervisor twice and once as their village president. Church matters occupied a considerable amount of his attention and for many years he was a trusted steward of his local Methodist Church. Isaac Flack also was a director of the Union National Bank of Troy, New York and his advice in financial matters was often sought and heeded. Mr. Flack was married twice. His first marriage was to Mary E. Abrams on April 12^th, 1856. She died seventeen years later on May 17^th 1873. His second marriage was to Mary S. Wade, on January 7^th, 1875. She was a cousin of his first wife. Mr. Flack had six children, four sons, George A. Flack, Frank Flack, Harry Flack and Charles I. Flack, (both Frank and Harry died in early childhood) and two daughters, Mrs. Emma S. Inskip and Miss Mary L. Flack. On October 26^th, 1899, at the age of 69, Isaac G. Flack died of a stroke at his home in Lansingburgh, New York.

The next owner of the Inskip House was Mrs. Emma S. Inskip, who was the daughter of Isaac and Mary E. Flack and the wife of John E. Inskip. Emma S. Flack was born in 1860. In 1881 while spending the summer in Ocean Grove she met her future husband, John E. Inskip. The couple where married the following year on March 28^th, 1882. The ceremony took place in Lansingburg, New York and was officiated by the groom's grandfather, Rev. John S. Inskip. Emma and John E. had two children, Harry born in 1883 and John born in 1885.

After Emma and her husband John sold their Ocean Pathway properties to Emma's Father, Isaac Flack, it appears that they moved their residence back to New York State.  After the death of Emma's Father Isaac, it was mentioned in the November 3rd 1899 edition of the Asbury Park Journal, in the death notice of Isaac G. Flack, that “He (Isaac Flack) was the father of Mrs. John E. Inskip, wife of a former merchant of Ocean Grove." It would seem that by 1899, John no longer operated his Ocean Grove grocery store.

"Old Brick - Inskip House - Ocean Grove" by rich701 is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Guests on the porch of the Inskip House. (year unknown)

In 1903 there was a notice in the Ocean Grove Times (6/13/1903), which said that Emma and her son Harry arrived in Ocean Grove from Lansingburg, New York and that they were at their family’s cottage on Beach Avenue. It also said that while there, Emma was going to look after some repairs "to her property, the Inskip House, on Ocean Pathway.”

In 1905, there was another mention of Emma in the Ocean Grove Times. (2/25/1905) It said that she pledged to use natural gas in her cottage (the cottage directly behind the Inskip house) on Beach Ave. and McClintock Street. This would indicate that ownership of the Inskip House and the surrounding properties had returned to the Inskip Family and Emma was the owner.

Ocean Pathway Between  1913 - 1919

On December 27^th, 1914, Emma's Husband, John E. Inskip died of "apoplexy" (stroke) at their Ocean Grove cottage, on the corner of Beach avenue and McClintock street. John's Funeral was held at their cottage and was conducted by Rev. A.E. Ballard, who was at the time the president of the OGCMA. After the death of John, it appears that Emma spent her remaining summers in Ocean Grove, at her cottage on the corner of Beach and McClintock. It was here that she entertained family, who came to visit and spend a week or two, for a vacation by the sea. Then On March 21^st, 1924, Emma S. Inskip died, at the Leonard hospital in Troy, New York.

This concludes part two of the early history of the Ocean Plaza Hotel. I have saved the best for last, so keep your eyes open for part three, which once again is coming out next week. If you found this post interesting please share and Comment. Until next time… Justin Truth.

Early History of the Ocean Plaza Hotel Part Three

Early History of the Ocean Plaza Hotel Part One

Ocean Plaza Hotel 2019

Welcome back to "The Book Of Historical Secrets." In this post we are going to delve into the early history of the Ocean Plaza Hotel in Ocean Grove, NJ. In the summer of 2018, I had the pleasure of spending some time at the Ocean Plaza. During my stay I overheard a guest asking the manager about the hotel’s history. The reply was that they didn't have much information on the subject. One thing led to another and I volunteered to look into the matter. What I found was interesting to say the least. I found that there was some misinformation in the official history of the hotel, which I will endeavor to set straight in the coming weeks. Originally, I was going to post everything I had written on the subject in one post, but I realized that it would be entirely too long. I decided to break it up into three or four parts. Here is part one of the early history of the Ocean Plaza Hotel.

What would become the Ocean Plaza Hotel began as the cottage of Martha and John Inskip, which was built in the early 1870’s. John Inskip, a Methodist minister, and Martha Foster were married in 1836. Together John and Martha became a “ministry team” and were thought of as the first “clergy couple.” They ministered in churches, camp meetings, as well as on the battlefields during the Civil War as chaplains, ministering to the spiritual and physical needs of the 14^th Brooklyn Regiment. In 1867, John became the first president of the National Camp Meeting Association for the Promotion of Holiness. It was through John’s friend, William Osborn, the founder of Ocean Grove, that John and Martha Inskip came to Ocean Grove and that John became one of the first trustees of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association. On November 21^st, 1870 the Inskip's purchased a lot at the corner of Ocean Pathway and Beach Ave. from the OGCMA. The following year (1871) they had a cottage built on the lot. It was in 1872 after the death of Rev. Rulif Lawrence, the 1^st vice-president of the OGCMA, that Rev. Inskip was elected the 2^nd vice-president to fill Rev. Lawrence's place on the executive committee. In 1878 John and Martha made Ocean Grove their home. They held religious services at their cottage, where at times more than one hundred people would congregate. Evangelistic work often called them elsewhere, and it was from Ocean Grove that they began an evangelistic tour around the globe. After one year, it was to Ocean Grove and their cottage on Ocean Pathway and Beach Avenue to which they returned.

Picture from the 10th Annual Report of the President OGCMA 1879

In September of 1881, John and Martha Inskip moved their residence to Philadelphia, Pa. It was written in ‘The Life of Rev. J. S. Inskip’ by W. McDonald and John E. Searles (1885,) “He was convinced that, unless he circumscribed his labors, he would soon utterly break down."  John and Martha decided that they should confine their labors to one place; it appears that they felt that Philadelphia and not Ocean Grove was the place for their evangelistic work. But it wasn't long before Rev. Inskip over extended himself again. Rev. Inskip wrote in his journal concerning this, "We thought we were able to do all we engaged to without damage or serious difficulty. We were mistaken. We must submit, and consent for a season to cease from all pulpit labor.” As a result John and Martha purchased a farm in Chester County Pa. and moved their residence there. They hoped that the change would be beneficial to John's health and that with rest they could return to their evangelistic work.

Bird's eye view of Ocean Grove 1881

After the Inskips moved to Pennsylvania, Miss Tillie Thorne, a good friend of John and Martha, operated a boarding house in their cottage called ‘The Thorne House.’ Tillie was known as one of the most popular boarding house keepers. She was a very popular and successful proprietor with a very large following. She operated the first boarding house on Ocean Pathway, called Thorne Cottage, and later renamed the Waverly, before operating a boarding house at the Inskip’s cottage.

- Ocean Grove Record 7/28/1883

On October 24^th, 1883, Rev. John Inskip suffered a stroke and on December 10^th of that year Martha and he returned to Ocean Grove. It was his desire to return to his former place of residence at the corner of Beach Avenue and Ocean Pathway. It was here at the Thorne House where he spent his final days. He departed this life on March 7^th, 1884, in the very bedroom that he occupied when it had been his residence.

Martha Jane Inskip Born 1819 – Died 1890

Rev. John Swanel Inskip Born 1816 – Died 1884

After the passing of her husband, Martha put an ad in the Ocean Grove Record to announce that she would be taking in boarders at her Ocean Grove cottage. It appears that she once again resided at the cottage and became the proprietor, becoming very involved in the community, as she had been in the past. She also continued the ministry that she and Rev. Inskip had begun.

- Ocean Grove Record 6/20/1885

In 1886, Mrs. Inskip traveled with some friends to Jacksonville, Florida, which marked a new chapter in her life. She began preaching and holding revival meetings there. In 1887 she continued her work in Jacksonville. It was in 1888, at Ocean Grove that a Mr. Champlin approached Martha with an offer of two lots at the village he had founded, Eggleston Heights, Florida, for the purpose of establishing a Methodist church as a memorial to her husband. On March 24^th, 1889, the Inskip Memorial Church was dedicated. Later that spring Rev. Ashley L. Bateman was appointed to Eggleston Heights to pastor the new church. Martha was pleased with the appointment of Rev. Bateman to the church she had founded. In fact she was so pleased, that on September 2^nd, 1890, Martha Inskip married Rev. Ashley Bateman. It was at the Inskip Cottage in Ocean Grove that the wedding took place. After the wedding, they immediately left for Florida, where they continued their work at the Inskip Memorial Church and began preparations for the Eggleston Heights Camp Meeting; which was being held the following February. Tragically, before their plans came to fruition, Martha took ill with “a congestive chill, which developed in gastric fever.” (Typhoid Fever) This ultimately led to her death on December 26^th, 1890 at her winter home in Eggleston Heights Florida.

This concludes part one of the early history of the Ocean Plaza Hotel. Keep your eyes open for part two, which is coming out next week. If you found this post interesting please share and Comment. Until next time… Justin Truth. 

Early History of the Ocean Plaza Hotel Part Two

The Life of Rev. Joseph Henry Thornley

Thornley Chapel

In some of the posts to come I will be introducing to you the founding fathers of Ocean Grove, who
they were, what they did and their importance to our history. I've noticed there is a lot of information made known about the founding mothers of Ocean Grove, but not a whole lot is known about the other half of the story. Who were these men and what was their vision and hope for this little town of Ocean Grove?

It was as a young child I began attending the little chapel in Ocean Grove called Thornley Chapel. Some of my fondest memories were going to Thornley Chapel's children's program on summer mornings at 9am. Being the inquisitive child that I was, I became curious about why the chapel was called Thornley Chapel. "What was a Thornley?" I came to find out that it wasn't a 'what,' it was a 'who.'

Rev. Joseph Henry Thornley

Rev. Joseph Henry Thornley was born August 3rd, 1827 in County Fermanagh, Ireland. His parent's names were James & Ann Thornley. The Protestant Episcopal Church was the home of his childhood. In 1842 at age 14, he experienced a true conversion and started attending the Wesleyan Methodist Church and it became the place of his choice. At the age of 16, Joseph was entered as a clerk with a Mr. Wood, one of the leading businessmen of Enniskillen in his dry goods business. At his church he was a devoted student in his Sunday school and he soon became an itinerant class leader, going with other young men into the surrounding country on Sunday mornings. They would hold meetings and encourage the people, returning in time for church and Sunday school in the town where they lived.

In the year 1883, Joseph Thornley returned to Ireland and made a pilgrimage to the spot where he was converted. This is his account in his own words... “Yesterday, in company with an old friend, made a pilgrimage to the spot where, in my 14th year, I was blessedly converted to God. I found in the venerable occupant of the house the same old lady who lived there at the time, more than forty years before. It was at a time of revival. The house was filled and crowds were on the outside listening to the singing. I remember to this day the opening hymn:

“O, disclose thy lovely face. 

Quicken all my drooping powers,

 Gasps my fainting soul for grace,

 As a thirsty land for showers, 

Haste, my Lord, no more delay,

 Come, my Saviour, come away.” 

“I entered the room, telling the lady the object of my visit. I want to fall down upon my knees here and give thanks to Almighty God, who more then 40 years ago, when a little school boy, saved me in this very room. We all knelt and sung, “O happy day that fixed my choice,” &c. After the stanza, “Tis done, the great transaction’s done,” I poured out my heart’s warmest thanksgiving, amid sobs and tears, and while still on our knees, I sang the doxology and pronounced the apostolic benediction. “As we arose we all felt the presence of the Triune Deity, for it was God’s house and the gate of heaven. “Taking the hand of the aged widowed saint, amid flowing tears, I bade her an affectionate adjeu, until “On zion we stand having reached the blessed shore, with harps in our hands, we praise Him evermore.”  

Ocean Grove Record 2/23/1889

The Cruise of Life

It was in 1850 that Joseph Thornley came to the United States at the age of 22. He arrived in Philadelphia on July 4th. He entered as clerk in the dry goods store of A. McElroy. It was on his way over on the ship that he met the woman who would become his wife, Maria Deering. They were married some months after his arrival to the United States. It was in 1851 that Joseph Thornley formed a partnership with a person of the name of Chism, a fellow clerk, in the house of L. J. Levy & Co. Thornley and Chism opened a dry goods business on Spring Garden Street, above 8th. A few years later the health of Mr. Chism declined, so that he had to retire, leaving Thornley sole proprietor.

There isn't much known about Thornley for a number of years after this. It was about 1861

( exact year unknown in this research,) we pick up the fact that he became superintendent of the Central Church Philadelphia Sunday School. It was in 1864, while in his mid thirties, that Thornley received his local preacher's license. This is an account which was found that gives us more information. It was from a letter written to Rev. A. Wallace, D. D. owner of the Ocean Grove Record by Rev. D. F. Price. :

"It becomes me to write of Bro. Thornley, because it was once my privilege to be his pastor, and our intercourse in these relations for two years were of the most pleasant character. It was during the eventful period of our civil war. I was pastor of Central Church, Philadelphia. It will not be out of place to say, while I was an anti slavery man and patriotic in my zeal for the Union cause, I was not ultra, but strictly Methodistic in my views, and being a Peninsula man, I was suspected by some of being in sympathy with the rebellion. Bro. Thornley had heard of it; he was unacquainted with me, perhaps he had never seen me. On my first visit to Central Church, the Sabbath morning after Conference, I went to the Sunday school, of which Brother Thornley was superintendent, to whom I was introduced by Brother John Celesbury, who accompanied me. Brother Thornley introduced me to the school as a body and to each teacher and class, and, as he told me after, to use his own language, “I made up my mind that one poor sinner (meaning himself) would be your friend.” And I am glad and grateful to testify, true to his resolve, he was my cordial and steadfast friend. O, how pleasant and joyous was our personal, social and Christian fellowship! He was one of the pillars of Central Church, one of the heroes of the Lord’s hosts, and one of the true and faithful of the saints. Liberal with his means, wise with his counsel, modest in his zeal, and untiring in his devotion to the interests of the church. Although soon by a change of residence to remove his membership to Spring Garden Street Church, he gave a thousand dollars to pay off a mortgage on Central. He abounded in “every good word and work.” It was my privilege to bring his name before the Quarterly Conference of the charge for local preacher’s license, which was given him by Dr. Castle. My intercourse with Brother Thornley in private and public during my ministry at Central forms one of the richest pictures in the gallery of memory."

By REV. D.F. Price, Ocean Grove Record 3/9/1889

It was in July of 1869, that Joseph Thornley and his wife, Maria, came to what would become Ocean Grove for the first time. Nine other families gathered together along with them for rest and religious fellowship. They set up camp in what is now Founder's Park. A few days later, on the evening of July 31st, the first religious service in Ocean Grove was held at the urging of Mrs. Thornley, in the Thornley tent. Some months later, on December 22nd, the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association of the Methodist Episcopal Church was formed. This took place at the Trinity Church in Trenton, New Jersey. Joseph Thornley became a charter member at this time and also part of its executive committee.

The Devotional Hour

Joseph Thornley was the founder of the Ocean Grove Sunday schools and was their first superintendent. It began with only a handful of students who gathered in two or three tents on a straw floor. It wasn't long before it grew to very large proportions and became known throughout the country. It was comprised of 3 departments, the Primary Department, the Intermediate Department and the Adult Bible Class. The peak attendance for all three departments on one particular Sunday in 1887 was 5,877. This was the highest on record during his administration. It was said of Thornley that he was a man of the highest integrity and at the same time of the most genial and joyous temperament. From the beginning of the organization until the end of his life he held the office of superintendent of the summer Sunday school and there wasn't a child who didn't adore him. He was never too busy or too involved in other matters, to take the time to give a smile or a word of encouragement to the children.

In 1881, Joseph Thornley retired from the dry goods business, after having been in active business life for more than 30 years. It was on October 26th, 1882, that Joseph Thornley lost his wife, Maria, after a lengthy illness. President E. H. Stokes commented on Thornley's loss in the fourteenth annual report of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association as follows:

"One of our number, Joseph H. Thornley, Esq., has been called to mourn the loss of his excellent, and long invalid wife, in whose tent, July 31st, 1869, the first little meeting was held upon these grounds; who after living a devoted Christian life, for many years, ascended, a few weeks after our last annual meeting, to be forever with her Lord. She leaves a trail of light, in which, we walking, hope to meet her in the skies at last." 

 14th Annual Report of the President of the OGCMA

It was on the 22nd of September in 1883, after the death of Maria, that Joseph Thornley boarded a steamship to Ireland to visit the home of his youth. President Stokes later joined him to travel to other locations throughout Europe. They returned on April 15th, 1884.

It was on June 4th, 1884, at the age of 56, that Joseph Thornley married his 2nd wife, Mary R. Dickson, age 26. She was the daughter of Rev. George N. A. Dickson, of London, Canada.

"Wedding Bells.

Our excellent director of the Summer Sunday-school at Ocean Grove, Bro. Joseph H Thornley, accompanied by his bride, formerly Miss Mary R. Dickson, arrived at the Grove and took possession of their Ocean Pathway Cottage last week. They were married June 4th, at the Wesleyan Parsonage, Ontario Canada, Rev. J. N. A. Dickson father of the bride, officiating on the auspicious occasion. The lady spent part of last Summer at the Grove, and is not, therefore, an entire stranger. She is, moreover, an active Christian worker, and in this, as well as other respects, is very highly appreciated and most heartily welcome."

Ocean Grove Record 6/28/1884

J. H. Thornley Cottages, Ocean Pathway Near The Sea.

It was on June 7th, 1885, that Thornley's first child, Fanny Bertha Thornley was born. In the following year, on July 15th, 1886, a son was born to complete the family... Joseph Henry Thornley.

It was in 1888 that Rev. Joseph Thornley's health began to decline. Here is the account from the Ocean Grove record:

"Many of our readers are aware of the fact that for a number of months the health of Rev. J. H. Thornley, so well and favorably known to all who visit Ocean Grove, has been declining. Three weeks ago, by advice of his physician and some of his friends, he went to the former home of Mrs. Thornley, at London, Ontario, Canada, in the hope that change might be helpful. The latest intelligence is not as hopeful as we could desire. His wife was summoned on Tuesday. It is a great satisfaction, however, that while the earth side is not as cheerful as we could wish, the heavenly is all brightness, joy and hope."

Ocean Grove Record 2/9/1889

The following words are a testimony to the faith of Joseph H. Thornley, an inspiration to all:

"How beautiful his last testimony, in the February number of the Guide to Holiness, edited by Bro. Hughes. He says: 'Jesus is very precious. He keeps me in perfect peace. I am not so well physically, but the joy of the Lord is my strength. My supporting motto for the coming days is: The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.'"

Ocean Grove Record 2/23/1889

"The bloody Cross precedes the rocky tomb,
The rocky tomb, the resurrection morn;
The golden light follows the midnight gloom,
The smiles of God, the fiercest earthly scorn;
The Lord Christ suffered all His pathways, through,
Courage, O Saint, He triumphed, so shall you."

    -18th Annual Report of the President of the OGCMA

On February 12th, 1889, at the age of 61, Joseph H. Thornley went home to be with his Lord and Savior. This is what was written in the 20th annual report of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association by President Elwood H. Stokes D. D. in a memorial to Thornley.

"A great bereavement, has come to us all, in the removal from us to the climes of the blessed, at a time when we seemed most to need him, the glad-hearted, sunny-faced genial, devoted, useful and beloved Joseph H. Thornley. White-robed and washed in the blood of the Lamb, he ascended from London, Ontario, Canada, February 12th, 1889, to be forever with the Lord. It was in his tent, at the suggestion of his wife, that the first little informal meeting was held upon these grounds, July 31st, 1869. For nearly twenty years he never wearied in his attention to any duty, secular or sacred, connected with the interests of this place, and counted it his highest joy, in season and out of season, to give his time and strength to promote its welfare. He was a man without reproach, loved by all, diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord."

It was after Thornley's death, that the Association decided to create a Memorial Chapel in his memory. They took an existing building from Pitman Avenue and moved it to an empty lot at the corner of Pilgrim Pathway and Mt. Tabor Way (where the chapel stands today.) It had been Joseph Thornley's desire to have a building at this site for smaller meetings. The following is the account which was written in the 20th Annual report of the President ,Dr. Elwood H. Stokes, of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association.

"Thornley Chapel.

For more than a year before Mr. Thornley's death, he, with the rest of us, felt the need of a place
suitable for the smaller meetings. We talked about it almost every time we met. It was among the last things he thought of before going away for the last time. But the time to accomplish the object did not seem to have come.  After his decease, the thought of carrying out the last cherished desire of his heart, in the form of a Memorial Chapel, occurred. The plan was approved, and as a building just the size we talked of was on our hands, the Association, at its Semi-Annual Meeting, in May, 1889, granted the said building, to be remodeled, and the lot at the N. W. corner of Pilgrim Pathway and Mt. Tabor Way, for it to rest on, provided the work of transformation could be made without cost to the general treasury. The President, Vice-President, Secretary, Dr. Alday, and Rev. W. H. Wardell, were appointed to carry out the plan. The work was completed June 29th, 1889, and the house ready for opening on Sabbath, June 30th.
The cost of the improvements, with furniture, organ, and all it contains, is $1,299.58, every cent of which has been raised and paid, so that the Committee has the great privilege and pleasure of presenting it to the Association, at this meeting, free of debt. It is a great satisfaction also to the Committee to add, that the whole sum was cheerfully and promptly raised by the many friends of our saintly and ascended brother"

20th Annual Report of the President of the OGCMA

This little chapel in memory of the inspirational man, Joseph H. Thornley, still stands today. It has been cherished by many throughout the years, as a meeting place where hearts and lives have been touched and changed, by the same Lord and Savior who transformed the life of Joseph H. Thornley. I would invite you to share in the comment section your fond memories of attending meetings and programs held at Thornley Chapel. Until next time... Justin Truth