In Memory: Chapel of Grace

by Debbie Neece, Bartlesville Area History Museum

Doris Harrison was raised at the Tipton Children’s Home in Tipton, OK where she found strength and spiritual guidance. She graduated as Salutatorian at the Tipton High School, attended Abilene Christian College in Texas and Central Christian College in Bartlesville, graduating in 1958.

After her marriage to Keith Stumpff, they took a leap of faith, in 1966, establishing Bartlesville’s Stumpff Funeral Home, a comforting outreach for the community where they were raising their family.

Doris’ giving nature extended to the Service League of Bartlesville, Bethel White Shrine, Adams Blvd. Church of Christ and throughout the community. So, on January 16, 2002, when a fatal accident brought angels to carry Doris home, community wide heartache was felt. Family and friends opened their hearts in prayer, searching for guidance in honoring her memory.

On April 6, 2021 members of her community took shovels in hand and broke ground paving the path for the Doris Stumpff Chapel of Grace at The Journey Home. The project took an army of planners, volunteers and supporters. It is with the generous support of Scott Holz and the Stumpff Funeral Home and Crematory that the project took hold. The Richardson Foundation, the Williford Family and the Bank of Oklahoma have also been generous supporters.

For anyone who has faced the final adventure of life and needed a place to call home, The Journey Home has been the respite for many in need of peace and comfort. The non-profit, donation supported 501(c)(3) organization offers a comforting homey setting for family and friends away from a clinical atmosphere, free of charge. Volunteers and staff provide physical, emotional, medical and nurturing support while our community’s love pours upon The Journey Home visitors with nourishing meals, laundry, housekeeping and the comforts of home.

The one thing missing was the Chapel of Grace in honor of Doris Stumpff. One shovel of earth and pounded nail at a time, volunteers have created a quaint, rustic country church in a country setting as a tranquil, peaceful retreat.

It’s from the humble beginnings of an orphanage that the legacy of Doris Harrison Stumpff brings a family and community together, wrapping the hurt of others in the comfort of the Lord. And, it’s through the volunteer spirit of the First Baptist Church and every carpenter, with the guidance of Joe Lewis, who has tirelessly crafted the Chapel of Grace as their labor of love. This is about community.

After the death of Delaware Chief and Reverend Charles Journeycake and his wife Jane Journeycake, their daughter, Nannie Bartles was instrumental in building the Journeycake Memorial Baptist Church in Dewey. The church was embellished with stained glass windows, two of which were dedicated to Jane Journeycake and Reverend John Sarcoxie, Sr., ordained Baptist minister, Delaware Councilman and beloved missionary.

Doug and Penny Quinn salvaged the two windows after the church was razed and have donated the stained glass, adding history to the project. The Journeycake and Sarcoxie glass artwork was placed in the craftsman hands of Joe Lewis, who created backlit display boxes to show the detail and reverence of the century-old stained glasses now adorning the Stumpff Chapel of Grace.

The Journey Home is unique for our area with open arms to bless all in need. On November 9th, from 4:00-7:00, all who wish to attend are welcome to join in the dedication ceremony of the Stumpff Chapel of Grace at The Journey Home.

“The chapel will embrace guests’ families and friends as an intimate gathering space and safe refuge in the presence of love, grace and serenity.” — Doug & Penny Quinn