William West Durant commissioned St. William's on Long Point in 1890 as a house of worship for his many workers and support staff. At that time, the original town of Raquette Lake was located on Long Point. St. William's was the Catholic parish church until 1939, when a new church was built in the current Raquette Lake village. Later, it served as a summer retreat for Franciscan Friars. In December, 1992, a non-denominational not-for-profit organization was formed to preserve and use the site. Extensive restoration projects have been undertaken with the help of volunteers and generous donations. St. Williams on Long Point, accessible only by boat, is available for rent to provide your family or group with a lakeside setting rich in natural beauty and history.