James B. Chapman Memorial Church of the Nazarene was born in spirit during a two-week revival led by Rev. Donald Silvernail at the Morse Schoolhouse on the corner of 29th Street and UV Avenue. The revival closed with 18 Indian Lake residents and Nazarenes officially organizing the church on October 15th, 1950 at the schoolhouse.

One of the names on the charter, Louise Chapman, widow of Church of the Nazarene General Superintendent James B. Chapman, in a letter written to potential supporters, said the memorial chapel would be “a church home for Nazarenes who have permanent residences nearby, for summer vacationers and for the many un-churched people who live in the neighborhood.”

She saw an Indian Lake-area church as a fitting memorial for Dr. Chapman, who had died at age 62 in his Indian Lake cottage on July 30th, 1947. That was opening day of the Michigan District Assembly at the Nazarene Indian Lake Campgrounds.

Few could forget Dr. Chapman. He had begun preaching at age 15; had been a leader of a holiness group that had helped form the Church of the Nazarene at Pilot Point, Texas in 1908; was named editor of the Nazarene’s official publication, “Herald of Holiness” in 1922; wrote books and countless editorials; and was elected General Superintendent of the denomination in 1928, serving in that post until his death.

Mrs. Chapman also had gained stature while serving as a missionary in Africa for 20 years before marrying Dr. Chapman in 1942, two years after the death of his first wife, Maud Frederick.

Thus, support for the memorial chapel came from around the world. Funds were donated by Nazarene officials, pastors and laymen, Nazarene nationals overseas, American Chinese on the West Coast, blacks in West Virginia, American Mexicans on the Mexican border, Native Americans who had been touched by the denomination, Nazarene institutions ranging from colleges to the Casa Robles retirement home, and countless other sources.

Chapman Memorial has grown steadily since the church was organized in 1950. Today, after passing the 400 member mark, the church body is a vibrant one. The greatest asset is the spirituality and warmth of the people. Though Chapman has grown, it hasn’t lost its personal touch.