Founded in the Episcopal tradition to meet the educational needs of the sons of clergymen, the guiding principles of the Holderness chapel program are steeped in a Christian tradition of inclusion and open inquiry.
The Chapel of the Holy Cross is the center of this tradition. Twice weekly the community gathers there to worship and reflect on all things spiritual. In addition to inquiries about scripture, chapel talks often focus on honesty, community engagement, leadership, and what it means to live life to its fullest. And while many services follow the Episcopal litany, other services borrow from other traditions including Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism.
Our spiritual sense of place extends beyond the main campus. About once a month—sometimes even in winter—we climb the hillside to our Outdoor Chapel, a beautiful amphitheater shaded by towering oak trees and overlooking the hills west of campus. Services are also held in Trinity Church—the simple 18th century wood frame building that was the school’s original chapel—and on Chocorua Island, or as many of us call it, “Church Island.” This 100-year-old outdoor chapel on Squam Lake dates to the earliest days of Holderness School and maintains it connections to the school through many alumni and friends.