The Forest of the Lost Green Cathedral
An atmosphere of mystery wafts through the air and curls around the tree trunks in this deep, conifer forest. The Forest of the Lost Green Cathedral evokes a time of dragons, princesses, and their magic realms. Imagine a story here. It could have taken place while no one was looking.
Some things we do know:
Long ago, someone set up a small woodland chapel here for the girls living at resident camp. It was a simple arrangement: two rows of split-log benches in front of a large timber cross. The glory of the chapel wasn't in the handhewn furniture. It was in the hearts and spirits of the girls who worshipped God in this quiet place. The trees surrounding them reached toward heaven like the great pillars of the medieval cathedrals, and their green branches filtered the light like stained glass windows. The "Green Cathedral" became a sacred and beloved spot.
Years after resident camp closed, Girl Scouts camping for the weekend would search for the Green Cathedral, but could never find it. Then one day, the old resident camp director came back for a vist and said that she could take anyone who wanted to go see it. But even she could not find it. Is it simply that the forest grew beyond her memory, or are there other forces in motion here? Did the cathedral simply disappear, like the magical Scottish village that only becomes visible once a century?
Only one other observation gives a hint of something that happened here. Notice how the trees are arranged. The arrangement is not natural. The forest was planted for a purpose. It may have been timber, it may have been a Christmas tree farm. It is known that in the early 1960's there was a small Christmas tree farm at camp*. Even though the Forest is north of the Gas Cut, the Kirby eatate (and hence Camp Julia Crowell) extended halfway across Lake Linnea. So when they talk about the tree farm at CJC, this could have been it.
* This is from the November-December, 1961 Millwheel:
"For the second straight year, a "do-it-yourself" Christmas tree program is offered to the Girl Scout families in the Cleveland area. They are invited to come to Camp Julia Crowell between 2 and 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3 or Sunday Dec. 10 to select and cut their own trees. Once again, Norway Spruce and Scotch and White Pines are ready to harvest. Tree prices will be $3 for those three to six feet tall and $5 for those seven to ten feet tall. Camp Julia Crowell is located on Route 303, one and a quarter miles west of West Richfield. Signs at the entrance of camp will direct the way to the area where trees are to be cut. Members of the campsite committee, who will be in charge of the sale, want to remind you to bring your own tools and to dress warmly."