| 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, 1930, The Girls' Friendly Society of Pennsylvania (GFS/PA) bought the building with the intent to also use it as a retreat house. 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 the age of 24. During this era, 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, 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 to organize 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 diocese of PA was established at the Calvary Church in 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. |
| Getting 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 GFS/PAPres@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 GFS/PASponsors@comcast.net. |
Holiday House and GFS
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| Letters to Holiday House Management. |
| "It was my first time at Holiday House in Cape May and I was not the only one. It's like a kid's paradise. There were many places to see there. The things that I say were outstanding like the beach, the mall, the boardwalk, and especially Holiday House. At the beach, I saw surfers, kites, horseshoe crabs, jellyfish, and seashells. It was very beautiful there. At the mall, we saw clothes and toy stores, and a big bell. When I went to the boardwalk I saw the arcade, the Cheese Cake Factory, the Fudge Factory, a beach store, and concert hall. Holiday House was the big finale. Junior Week '07 was a lot of fun. We did many things and met new people and you would like it too. I learned how to live with a roommate, to be a proper lady, to obey rules, and to care for one another." Signed: Miah |
