| HISTORY The rich history of Holiday House began in 1867 as the Baltimore House. Years later, the property became a retreat house for the Sisters of St. Margaret, an Episcopal order from the Germantown section of Philadelphia, PA. On October 27, 1910, The Girls' Friendly Society of Pennsylvania (GFS/PA) bought the building. The values found at Holiday House mirror the deep rooted values in the Girls’ Friendly Society. Mary Elizabeth Townsend founded Girls’ Friendly Society in England on January 1, 1875 at a time when women had no recognized power in society and very little influence in the Anglican Church. Routinely, Girls’ between the ages of 11 and 14 who lived in poor families were sent to work in industry or as servants at wealthy houses. The Girls’ Friendly Society offered Christian fellowship to young female mill workers who were separated from their family. The motto of the society is “Bear ye one another’s’ burdens” (Galatians 6:2). In the United States, Elizabeth Mason Edson, a rector’s daughter from St Anne’s Church in Lowell, Massachusetts was the key to the origin of the American side of Girls’ Friendly Society. The need to provide comfort and support to Girls’ who were forced to leave home to find jobs spurred. Elizabeth organized the first American branch of the Girls’ Friendly Society in 1877. The organization grew, and by the late 1800’s, GFS members’ assisted young women entering this country by providing housing and helping them find jobs. In 1881, the first GFS/PA branch was established at the Calvary Church in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, PA. At an annual council meeting in 1893, it was decided that Pennsylvania and New Jersey Societies should unite and purchase a boarding house in Atlantic City. In 1894, Holiday House was opened in Atlantic City. Shortly thereafter, it was decided that Atlantic City was not a good location so the Dioceses separated. In 1896, Pennsylvania bought its first summer vacation house at 615 Hughes Street, Cape May, NJ which it occupied until 1911, when the larger house was purchased at 644 Hughes Street. In the early 1900’s the Girls’ Friendly Society had 21 Holiday Houses and 14 lodges in multiple States. Today, the only remaining house is our beloved Holiday House in Cape May, New Jersey. |
| Get Involved in the Future The Girls' Friendly Society (GFS) is an international non-profit organization affiliated with the Episcopal Church and is open to girls ages from 5 to 21 of any race, religion or nationality. GFS is dedicated to supporting and nurturing young women and girls with positive guidance from adult leaders through worship, service, recreation, and study. If you are interested in becoming a GFS Leader and would like more information about starting a GFS branch in your area contact the GFS Diocesan President at gfsangie@verizon.net. If you have or believe you can offer support to the organization as a volunteer or in making a financial contribution contact GFS/PA Sponsor Chair at gfsjul@comcast.net. |
 |  |  |  |
Holiday House is a Christian Retreat House Open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Holiday House offers single, double and triple occupancy rooms for individuals, families, and Christian affiliated organizations. (Maximum capacity is 42.) Located in the Historic District of Cape May it has 4 floors; the first floor has a living room, parlor, a dining room that seats 60, a fully equipped kitchen and a cozy chapel. Holiday House offers sea breezes, three wonderful porches with rocking chairs, clean and pleasant rooms, two meals a day, and a warm and friendly atmosphere. |
| The operation of Holiday House includes a Manager, Assistant Manager, and Cook. The cleaning and service staff are young adults from within the Girls' Friendly organization who are learning about service, community, teamwork, leadership, and responsibility. Holiday House relies heavily on volunteers. If you are interested in applying or volunteering you can contact us through the Holiday House Reservation system at: GFSHoliday@yahoo.com |
| Owned and operated by the Girls' Friendly Society of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania. |
