Charles Church, locally known as “Charlie,” built the Wallis Cove cabins over 50 years ago to help afford to maintain the beautiful 100 acres of forest his family resides in. Charlie was well-known and loved by the town of Douglas and many have fond memories of his political and philanthropic involvements. His family were lumberers in this territory since before Douglas was founded, when it was simply known as the county of New Sherborn.
A Family Legacy
Though most saw old Charlie as your typical New England swamp Yankee tending to the animals and crops on his gentleman’s farm, or cutting and stacking cordwood from his beloved forests, Charles had, to his credit, a degree in engineering, served on the Douglas Planning Board and Conservation Commission for many years, as well as being a trustee, and was a Sunday school teacher for the First Congregational School of Douglas.
Virginia Clark Church worked for over a decade as a clerk for the Douglas Selectmen. She was born in Bar Harbor, Maine. After graduating from Dartmouth, she became Executive Assistant to the President of American Optical Company during WWII.
While horseback riding at a friend’s stables, she met a young man also out for an enjoyable day of riding. That fellow was none other than Charlie Church and in April of 1951, they were wed at the Methodist Church in Southbridge, MA.
The Next Generation
Continuing the dream of Charles and Virginia Church, daughter Laurie Church manages Wallis Cove today. One of Charlie’s wishes was to protect the forest where the cabins reside. Laurie continues many of the traditions started by her father. Wallis Cove is now protected forestry land under Chapter 61, which allows the land to be assessed as timber-producing forest under the management of a professional forester.
The cabins, and the people who vacationed in them, became a big part of Laurie’s life. Since the early 60s, families have returned to vacation here every year, and new families have been discovering this natural setting without having to travel far for a vacation.
It is important that Wallis Cove maintain its tranquil setting which is far different from many campgrounds you’ll find today.
Why the Name Wallis Cove?
Laurie shares “When I was a little girl and my dad and I were looking at the sign he was putting up, I asked him why it was called Wallis Cove. A straight-forward man, my dad looked at me and said, ‘Well, this land belonged to your great-great grandfather, Salem Wallis, and this is a cove… so it is Wallis Cove’.”
A Family Legacy
Though most saw old Charlie as your typical New England swamp Yankee tending to the animals and crops on his gentleman’s farm, or cutting and stacking cordwood from his beloved forests, Charles had, to his credit, a degree in engineering, served on the Douglas Planning Board and Conservation Commission for many years, as well as being a trustee, and was a Sunday school teacher for the First Congregational School of Douglas.
Virginia Clark Church worked for over a decade as a clerk for the Douglas Selectmen. She was born in Bar Harbor, Maine. After graduating from Dartmouth, she became Executive Assistant to the President of American Optical Company during WWII.
While horseback riding at a friend’s stables, she met a young man also out for an enjoyable day of riding. That fellow was none other than Charlie Church and in April of 1951, they were wed at the Methodist Church in Southbridge, MA.
The Next Generation
Continuing the dream of Charles and Virginia Church, daughter Laurie Church manages Wallis Cove today. One of Charlie’s wishes was to protect the forest where the cabins reside. Laurie continues many of the traditions started by her father. Wallis Cove is now protected forestry land under Chapter 61, which allows the land to be assessed as timber-producing forest under the management of a professional forester.
The cabins, and the people who vacationed in them, became a big part of Laurie’s life. Since the early 60s, families have returned to vacation here every year, and new families have been discovering this natural setting without having to travel far for a vacation.
It is important that Wallis Cove maintain its tranquil setting which is far different from many campgrounds you’ll find today.
Why the Name Wallis Cove?
Laurie shares “When I was a little girl and my dad and I were looking at the sign he was putting up, I asked him why it was called Wallis Cove. A straight-forward man, my dad looked at me and said, ‘Well, this land belonged to your great-great grandfather, Salem Wallis, and this is a cove… so it is Wallis Cove’.”