The Episcopal Cottage of Chautauqua, established in 1919 and supported by interested Episcopalians and other people of faith, provides a ministry of hospitality in the name of Jesus Christ consistent with the teaching and doctrines of the Christian faith as received by the Episcopal Church.
From the By-laws of the Episcopal Cottage of Chautauqua, Inc.
Shortly after WW I a group of Episcopal women gathered to form an organization to support their summer ministry of hospitality at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York.
From the early 1920s until 1950, the first Cottage was located at 6 Pratt adjacent to Bestor Plaza. During the Depression this Cottage fell into disrepair and rather than rebuild at that site, the Board chose to relocate.
Their choice of the present Cottage at 24 Peck was purchased in 1949. One generous member loaned the corporation the funds necessary to acquire the property. Since that time, the corporation has repaid this loan and re-invested many times that original purchase price to make the capital improvements necessary to further our mission.
In its second century of service, the Cottage continues to provide a ministry of hospitality.
The Episcopal Cottage of Chautauqua, Inc. is lovingly shepherded by an eleven person Board of Directors. The election of directors by our Cottage members takes place at the annual meeting at the Cottage held on the last Sunday of Chautauqua’s Season. The term of service for directors is three years.
Past and Present Board Members
Glen Chichester, Jim Porter, Barbara Bumsted, Sue Chichester, Rick Schultz
Joyce Brasted, Sallie Holder, John Sampselle, Bob Seaman, Coleen Smith, John Tamplin
Rick Schultz, President
Ginny Taylor, Vice President
Sallie Holder, Vice President
Glenn Chichester, Secretary
Sue Chichester, Treasurer, Reservations, and Off-Season Rentals
Bryan Gorney
Nancy Graham
Margie Muldoon
Joyce Norris
Rev. Rob Picken
John Tamplin
David and Merry Kim Meyers are life-long natives of Michigan. They have been active at Chautauqua for fifteen years and both graduated from the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle last year. Familiar faces at the Cottage, they are looking forward to serving guests during the second half of the season.
David is a retired psychologist who worked many years with the courts, schools, and mental health agencies. Additionally, he assisted the Diocese of Western Michigan (now Great Lakes) for many years as a trainer and troubleshooter. David, a priest of the diocese, has just retired from his most recent parish, St. Peter’s By The Lake, in Montague, MI. In the past, he has enjoyed being a chaplain at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd. In his leisure time, David is a watercolorist and leads classes in iconography. The Meyers make yearly treks with Overseas Travel.
Merry Kim (Kim) holds degrees in Landscape Architecture and Educational Leadership. She found her calling as an Agriscience educator and FFA advisor teaching horticulture, botany, and animal sciences at the high school level, ending her working career as a program advisor for the Michigan State University Institute of Agricultural Technology. She and David, who met on the MSU campus, have been married for 47 years. They have two daughters, Eve and Caroline, and five grandchildren. Kim’s lay ministries are in Christian formation and music. She finds her joy in tending all things green and growing. Walking the Portuguese Camino in 2023 and camping in the Sahara Desert are some of her favorite adventures (so far).
Faye Perkins joins the Episcopal Cottage as a host for the first time this season, although she is already known to some through her regular attendance at Chautauqua. A Canadian, she spent ten years living and working in New York City in the international marketing division of Sony Classical.
Faye first attended Chautauqua in the summer of 2003 while living in New York and quickly felt that she had found a place that reflected her love of the arts, thoughtful conversation, and the exploration of faith and ideas that define the Chautauqua experience.
During her professional career, Faye served as Vice President of International Marketing at Sony Classical under Peter Gelb, now the General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera. Classical music remains one of her lifelong passions, and she enjoys introducing others to the work of the renowned Canadian pianist Glenn Gould.
Now semi-retired and living in Ontario’s Niagara Region, Faye spends much of her time hiking, cycling, and running along the Niagara Escarpment. She looks forward to welcoming guests to the Episcopal Cottage and sharing in the conversations and friendships that make a Chautauqua summer so special.
Chaplains serving weekly at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd stay at the Cottage each summer. Chaplains are available for pastoral care to guests of the Episcopal Cottage upon request.
The Chaplains serving each week are listed on the Chapel of the Good Shepherd website in the spring:
One way we are able to continue to offer affordable housing at Chautauqua is through the generous help of volunteers. One very important area of need is the regular maintenance that is performed by volunteers every Spring and Fall.
Everyone, including members of the Episcopal Cottage, is invited to sign up for workdays that are scheduled each Spring and Fall to open and close the Cottage for the year.
There are many other areas of maintenance and administration that need attention as well. So no matter your skill level or abilities you can be of service. Please stop by the Cottage during the Season to inquire about volunteering or send us an E-Mail. We look forward to meeting you and to having your help.