Before St. John's was built on Bear Island, families wanting to attend Sunday religious services rowed to Advent Cove on Meredith Neck and trudged up the hillside to attend services at the white frame Meeting House built in 1839. Now known as Meredith Neck Church, it is still actively supported during the summer months.

In the early 1920s, interest arose from several sources in having more regular opportunity for summer worship on the island. The Rt. Rev. Edward Melville Parker, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, and the Rev. Kenneth Ripley Forbes of Stamford, Connecticut, and Birch Island, particularly desired that a summer chapel be built at the highest point on Bear Island. An observation tower, built around 1900 by Ellery Channing Mansfield, was already standing at this spot.

In 1926, Bishop Parker having died, a tract of land was purchased by the Rt. Rev. John T. Dallas for the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire. The tower was repaired and enclosed, and the sanctuary built of local stone was erected between May and July 1927. Much of the cost of $4,000 was donated by island residents. The chapel was dedicated by Bishop Dallas in memory of Bishop Parker. The church was intended to be a religious center for the somewhat scattered island population regardless of religious affiliation.

Rev. Kenneth Ripley Forbes was Priest-in-Charge for weekly services with two services sometimes held on Sundays. About ten minutes before church convened, Rev. Forbes would tug on the rope which hung from the tower bell to summon everyone walking up the paths. Boatloads of worshippers from the Weirs, along with other craft, parked at the church docks in Deep Cove. There was no church organ, and Mrs. Forbes usually set the pitch for hymns with the congregation following her lead.

Services were held sporadically following the resignation of Rev. Forbes in 1939. World War II gas rationing further affected all island functions, including church attendance as many had to forgo vacations. In 1954, a proposal was made to form the St. John's-on-the-Lake Association to provide funds to keep the church in operation and to oppose the ordered closing of the church at the end of the season. The association was organized that December and, working with the Diocese, took over the church's financing needs and the obtaining of services from clergy.

Around 1967, when Dr. Hopper was President of the Association, the organ pictured was donated. It has been lovingly repaired and enhanced since.

In August 1976, the deed to the church was turned over to the St. John's-on-the-Lake Association for $1.00 with the stipulation that the church will revert to the Diocese if it is ever used for other than religious purposes.

The chapel, beautiful in its simplicity, with altar and lectern of white birch, contains ten Roman Arch memorial windows. Many other memorials have been presented to the church, a tribute to many of those who were key in the developing and maintaining the chapel as a place for all to enjoy.