Cathedral of the Pines- Altar of the Nation - Rindge, NH
N 42° 46.523 W 071° 59.366
19T E 255441 N 4740206
The Altar, recognized by Congress as a national memorial, is the focal point of this "cathedral without walls" in southwestern New Hampshire.
Waymark Code: WM4WYK
Location: New Hampshire, United States
Date Posted: 10/07/2008
Views: 29
The history of Cathedral of the Pines began simply enough as an act of faith. Douglas and Sibyl Sloane of Newtonville, Massachusetts were seeking a place to erect an outdoor chapel.
The idea came to Mr. Sloane in the summer of 1935, when walking along the shores of Lake George, NY he found a stone that resembled an opened Bible.
Several years passed before they happened upon and chose the ideal site. Or, as the Sloanes later believed: it chose them. The property was a small farm in the rolling hills of southwestern New Hampshire just outside the township of Rindge.
The summer of 1946 saw completion of the stone altar and its first services. Official dedication of the Cathedral occurred that same summer. In the fall, the "Altar of the Nation" was officially dedicated as "a memorial to the World War II dead of New Hampshire" and as a shrine to the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. In 1950, the Altar was rededicated as a memorial to all American war dead.
Today was one of those gorgeous New England fall days. Visiting this place made me appreciate the day even more. I was here many years ago when I was young on a day trip with my parents. Today I viewed it in a very different light. It is worthy of a journey to see it.
Material(s): Stones from all 50 States and many other significant places
Associated Religion or Church: all-denominational and non-sectarian
Website: [Web Link]
Parking Coordinates: Not Listed
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Visit Instructions:
Include an original photo of the Outdoor Altar with your visit log.