​Westminster Park Chapel

(October 31, 1918–November 30, 2004) was a pioneer in animated short film.  In June 2002, the Chapel was dedicated to Carmen D'Avino and his wife Helena.  Carmen is a locally known artist in the Thousand Islands as well as nationally and internationally known.  In the 1940s, Carmen served in World War II as a war photographer.  He was one of five from his platoon to survive D-Day.  When he returned, he became an art photographer and later a painter, carver, sculpture, and filmmaker. 

As one of the leading figures in the avant-garde film movement of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, his films, known for their wit and graphic brilliance, received many international honors, including two Academy Award nominations, and were regularly seen at Cinema 16, the most successful and influential membership film society in North American history. His works in oils and sculpture have achieved similar success, part of his always expanding experimentation into shape, color and form.

Randy Arnot met Carmen through another artist, Edie Small, a long time resident of Summerland Island and painter of river scenes in a distinct folk art style.  Carmen lived and worked in Hammond, NY after moving away from the art scene in Paris and New York.  Carmen's philosophy was to strive for the ideal even though it is out of reach.