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.   

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 diocese of PA 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 and GFS
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 your 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.