As Eagles Mere began emerging as a summer resort in the early 1900's, many wealthy cottagers came with a full retinue of servants. Among these employees were the Irish, reared in the Catholic faith. With no Catholic church in the town, they went by horse and buggy or on foot to Dushore, which had the nearest church. This exercise took up most of Sunday; therefore they were of little assistance to their employers that day. Finally as a consideration to themselves, as well as their servants, the Protestant cottage owners decided to establish an Eagles Mere Catholic Chapel.
Land was donated by H. L. Geyelin on the corner of Eagles Mere and Geyelin Avenues. The Most Reverend Carroll McCormick, Bishop of Scranton, was contacted and apprised of the plan. He agreed to provide a priest for the summer services. A small rustic wooden building was erected and opened its doors in the summer of 1905. Bishop McCormick presided at the first Mass in the chapel. There was no altar and only log seating for the congregation, but the spirit of love and community was evident.
Pews were added in the following years and by 1916 the Catholic community had outgrown the chapel. The building was moved to its present location and expanded. In 1923 a small rectory was built onto the rear of the structure.
Through the years donations by the summer parishioners have contributed to the upkeep, renovations and general improvements of St. Francis Chapel and its grounds. For many years this town chapel was the property of its congregation. Only in recent decades has its ownership come under the jurisdiction of the diocese of Scranton.
Masses will be celebrated at 10:00 AM Sundays beginning in July of 2008. The final Mass for the season will be on Labor Day weekend of 2008.
