Trail of Religions

We are re-activating the “Save the Trail” campaign including the Brick Fund which was started several years ago with the restoration of the Jesus Statue and installing new bricks in a 10 foot by 10 foot area around Jesus. A generous pledge of $40,000.00 over the next 5 years is the seed money to completely restore the Trail of Religions. The first installment of this pledge paid for the removal of 3 large trees behind the Trail that were cracking the stone wall due to the tremendous ground pressure they put on the back side of this wall. The second installment covered a water line from the Chapel with outlets at the Garden of Prayer and the Trail of Religions, re-setting the stepping stones from the Garden of Prayer to the Trail of Religions (referred to by Mable Riffle in the 1943 Camp Program) and the professional landscaping, new walk and garden benches you see in the above photo.

The Trail of Religions consists of ten limestone busts representing the founders of ten of the world’s true spiritual disciplines. This Trail was a vision of Mable Riffle, Secretary of The Indiana Association of Spiritualists and in 1942 she commissioned the Lindley Ornamental Limestone Company of Bloomington, Indiana to create the Trail on the grounds of Camp Chesterfield. The Trail was completed and dedicated in 1943, 64 years ago and since that time has suffered the effects of Indiana’s hot summers and cold winters. To the best of our knowledge, this is the only place in the world that honors the Unity of Religions and we invite you to assist in any way you can in the restoration of this great monument. To learn more about our Trail of Religions a book Compiled and Edited by Ester Milburn is available for sale at our Tree of Life Book and Gift Store.

As Spiritualists who believe in the truth of all religions as coming from the one God, it is our responsibility to protect, preserve and restore this unique monument to the world religions for future generations. Please send your donations to the Administration Office with checks made out to Camp Chesterfield and marked for the “Save the Trail Fund” or you may purchase a Brick for $100.00 and request the form to define your inscription. We need your help now as the next phase of restoring the back wall MUST be completed before winter to prevent any further damage to the stone work