We almost missed it driving in.
Tucked into the bluff, the peak of the slate roof is just above road level and was barely visible through the thick summer foliage.
We pulled onto the side of Skyline Drive to park. The air was still damp from the afternoon thunderstorm as we climbed down the stone steps to the access road.
Garrett Chapel stood before us β 90 years old last summer. Made of ashlar granite and cast stone, I was immediately enchanted by the stone arches, the large terrace overlooking the lake, and the curved stairway leading down to the crypt.
We arrived in time to catch the groundskeeper before he left for the day, which meant we could step inside. There was a large granite archway at the front framing a small dome-shaped chancel separated by a twisted iron railing. Arched stained glass windows lined the walls with three more at the front.
We had the place to ourselves.
It was this visit on a Thursday afternoon in July that inspired us to write a piano prelude β a hymn to Garrett Chapel. It's the first of three short pieces in our new collection, Three Preludes for Piano.
The second prelude is inspired by the historic meeting house in Vermont where we were married, and the third prelude is a reflection on a salmon- and gold-colored church we encountered in a piazza in Ispra, Italy (a lake town) a few summers ago. Each prelude incorporates a familiar hymn tune as well as original material.
Steve made the initial sketches and I sat down with them at the piano to make edits. I recorded them in our living room last week (you're the first to know!).
I hope you enjoy it.
