Gap Cabin

Standing in "The Gap"
Back in the 1930's when the Post Office, LeVasseur and other cabins were constructed on the Shrine of St. Therese grounds, another small cabin was built to be used for a most simple place for a retreatant to stay. As the years passed, the weather and nature in the Southeastern rainforest started to its take claim on this structure, first the roof shakes, then the roof boards log rafters, and finally the log structure itself.

In 1994, Christie Loney, who was the Shrine Caretaker along with her husband, Bob, was inspired to suggest that the name of this "wee" building be called "The Gap." She had been reading a book Love On Its Knees by Dick Eastman and his message was that we can make a difference by praying for others, we can "stand in the gap" for others through our intercessory prayers. Christie envisioned that this small cabin could be moved to another place of quiet and restored to provide that ecumenical way-side stop, whereby the person could pause and prayerfully ask the Lord to heal, change hearts, reconcile, renew, or empower the need brought forth in humble prayer.

The Shrine Board agree to the name, "The Gap," and the idea of moving the cabin; it was not long before a time arrived for such to be addressed. In the fall of 1995, Andrew VanderJack sought an Eagle Scout project at the Shrine. The plan was to dismantle the small log structure and to move it someplace close by in the woods where it could be rebuilt. After dismantling the structure and seeing the dry rotted condition of many of the logs, plan B needed to be initiated. This called for new logs for the lower sections to be selected and sized from a pile of yellow cedar and the task was started. Finding out that the project was much larger than anticipated, Andrew received credit for the portion of the plan that he and his Troop #6 had accomplished, the dismantling, and this left room for other Eagle Scouts to pursue their part of the Gap project, too. In 1997, Andrew received his Eagle Scout rank award.

Nick Polasky was the second scout to pursue the work on "The Gap," as an Eagle Scout project, and he and his Troop # 6 moved new logs to the designated site overlooking the water and constructed the outside rectangular walls. It took some grubbing and graveling to level a surface for the first log. Openings were cut for the door and one window. Notching the logs was a challenge to get them to fit together as well as possible. After many hours and much labor, Nick's portion of the project was completed. "The Gap" was well on its way but still in need of numerous hours before it was to be called completed. In1997, Nick, too, was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout.

After sitting for a two years, with just the four open unchinked log sides and no roof, Ben Muse from Troop # 11, the third person to take on "The Gap" as his Eagle Scout project begin to organize his crew to accomplish more on "The Gap". Smaller logs were fashioned at the Shrine that were needed for completing the triangular or gable higher walls. The ridge and roof poles were cut and placed, and the plywood roof constructed and topped with metal roofing. Now, for the first time, the elements of nature could be kept from drenching the interior of this structure. Ben celebrated his Eagle Scout achievement in a ceremony in the spring of 2000.

Soon to follow were two others, Chris Barte and Travis Larsen from Troop #11, who both had, along with their crews, plenty of hours to provide them with the fulfillment of their Eagle Scout awards. Chris and his crew put windows in the two frames and mortared between the logs of The Gap with patience, perseverance and an excellent chinked finish. The mortar, over 1000 pounds, turned this building into a nearly finished product with an appearance of solidness and craftmanship. Christopher Barte also received his recognition as an Eagle Scout in 2002.

To place a firm base within "The Gap", Travis and his many willing workers, mined the recycled asphalt from a storage pile at the Shrine and lugged the heavy surface material into the cabin to make a lasting interior floor pad. "The Gap", nearly completed, needed an outside door, and it was hand fashioned out of wood to complement the impressive facility. Travis provided some signs to identify "The Gap" and to direct people to this work of art from the trail system. To make sure that visitors would be able to navigate well the trail to "The Gap", the busy workers dug and pick axed more defined steps to the cabin, outlined the steps with perimeter logs, and provided a gravel base for the footings. Having completed this segment of the project, Travis, too, received his Eagle Scout Award in 2002.

And, so, the envisioned place where people could stop and pray, "to stand in the gap" for others, became a reality. "The Gap" stands invitingly in the woods behind the Lodge, Post Office, and LeVasseur Cabins, and can be reached by taking the St. Therese Foot Trail located behind the LeVasseur Cabin or by climbing the few steps on the trail leading off from the Columbarium Trail. It overlooks the Columbarium, a place where many come to grieve their losses and to find hope in their lives after the death of a loved one. The Gap invites you, too, to come and spend time there in the solitude of the Creator's gift of nature to intercede, "to stand in the Gap" for the needs and the persons you wish to lift up in prayer. And, when you visit "The Gap", please remember to pray for all the Eagle Scouts who have undertaken this project as well as the many people who have assisted in helping to bring this dream into reality.