Home   Life at UM House   Guest rooms   Photo gallery   More information   Hosts' blog, 2010   United Methodist House   Box 115   Chautauqua, New York 14722   summer: 716-357-2055   year-round: 716-357-4045   hurlbut@ netsync.net

More information The history and growth of the House The United Methodist House was dedicated in 1888 by the two men who had been the 1874 founders of Chautauqua, Methodist Bishop John Heyl Vincent and Methodist layman Lewis Miller. A chapel was added in 1950 and the interior was renovated in 1988 for the centennial anniversary. At the time of Chautauqua's 125th anniversary, the United Methodist House was extensively renovated, with the work completed for the 1999 anniversary season. That project included construction of four entirely new bedrooms as well as the refurbishing of the existing accommodations across the original front wing. Since then, work has continued to improve the facilities, brighten the exterior and interior, and preserve the House's historic fabric. A note on administration The United Methodist House is responsible to the Western Pennsylvania and Upper New York Conferences of the United Methodist Church. The house is governed by a board of trustees representing the two Conferences and the Chautauqua community. Members of the board are elected at an annual meeting of the House, held on the Wednesday of Week 3 of the Chautauqua season. All members of the House are welcome to attend that meeting and take part in setting the directions for the House's work. (The qualification for membership is a (tax-deductible) donation to the House at some time during the year.) The current president of the board is Bruce Burr (right) of Amherst, New York. Volunteers and generous supporters continue the work and vision of our founders. (Pictured at left: volunteers in the kitchen during a “work day” after the 2009 season.) In the United Methodist tradition, everyone is always welcome and invited to enjoy our United Methodist House and its facilities. The UM presence at Chautauqua The United Methodist House is one of four UM establishments on the grounds at Chautauqua. These are the others: • Hurlbut Memorial Community UM Church, on Pratt Avenue in the heart of Chautauqua, a year-round congregation serving the residents of Chautauqua and the surrounding area. Outside the nine-week summer season, Hurlbut holds its principal weekly worship service Sundays at 10:45 a.m. Telephone 716-357-4045; web www.hurlbutchurch.org. • The UM Missionary House at 34 South Lake Drive, facing Chautauqua Lake, which provides accommodations during the summer season only. Telephone 716-357-9544. • Fenton Memorial Deaconess House, on Hawthorn Avenue, offering accommodation for deaconesses and others during the summer season. Telephone 716-357-2013. The mission of United Methodist House In the spirit of the Founders of the Chautauqua Institution and in the spirit of the United Methodist Church . . . the mission of the United Methodist House: To offer a positive radiant expression of United Methodist Christianity in this place which will provide for spiritual refreshment, quiet renewal, friendship, and fellowship onsite housing for the Host couple, Chaplain,and short term guests services for the Chautauqua community. This web site Redesigned, November 2009, by Chris Redmond (credmond@uwaterloo.ca) under the supervision of the Communications Committee of the United Methodist House board. Comments, suggestions and additional material are welcome and will be considered as volunteer time allows. Hosted by register.com.