Longport's summer chapel' opens for season on Father's Day

Longport's historic Church of the Redeemer.

LONGPORT The Church of the Redeemer, originally formed as a summer chapel, will start its summer season of services starting on Father's Day, Sunday, June 16. The season will be extended by one week this year to the Sunday after Labor Day, Sept. 8, according to a letter to congregants from Tim Dearnley, chairman of the historic church's Board of Trustees.

The church located at 20^th and Atlantic Avenue, which is on the National Historic Register, overlooks the bay and shines its blue light nightly for seafarers' safe return.

The church burned down to the sand beneath it during the freakish derecho storm on June 30, 2012 and was painstakingly restored according to 1908 blueprints on file at the Longport Historical Society. The original stained-glass window designs created by Willet Houser Architectural Glass were re-created, along with the bronze bells in the bell tower, which were manufactured in France by the historic Paccard Bell Foundry.

Rev. John Baker speaks about the labyrinth.

The Midland Pipe Organ Service of North Carolina installed a new 12-rank pipe organ, and the labyrinth in the church courtyard, which attracts people seeking meditation from all over South Jersey, was repainted. The 11-circuit labyrinth was first painted on a 42-foot diameter slab of concrete outside the church in 2000. It was a gift to the community by church member and teacher Milda Clucas Balch in memory of her husband Bertram.

Regardless of religion or belief, intentional walking and mindfulness can reveal what all human beings intuitively know is waiting for them, according to Rev. John Baker, who talked about it with 50 congregants at a special event held last summer. Although the church is only open during the summer season, the labyrinth is open 24-7 year-round

Today, the church is Protestant Episcopal, but all faiths are welcome.

The following ministers will conduct services this summer:

• Rev. Megan Dambi of Morgantown, Pa., June 16, 23


• Rev. Paul Jeanes of Princeton, June 30 and July 7


• Rev. John Baker of Alexandria, Va., July 14, 21


• Rev Tim Gavin of Episcopal Academy, Pa., July 28


• Rev. Sean Rowe, bishop of Northwestern Pa., and bishop provisional of Western N.Y., Aug. 4, 11


• Rev. Bill Lewellis, Aug. 18, 25


• Rev. Nancy Hagner of Concord, Mass., Sept. 1

• Labyrinth Walk and Talk with Rev. John Baker, 6 p.m. Thursday,  July 18


• Blessing of the Bay and Boats, 11 a.m. Sunday, July 21


• Book signing, talk and slideshow with Janet Benton, author of Lilli de Jong, 7 p.m. Friday, July 26


• Blessing of the Animals, Sunday, Aug. 25 after services, with Rev. Bill Lewellis. All pets welcome.

For more, email [email protected].

Church of the Redeemer Labyrinth