Andrews Chapel Grand Opening Planned For Summer

Andrews Chapel, a historic church built on the grounds of Swampscott Cemetery, is nearly done with its lengthy restoration process. After seven years of work, an opening ceremony for the chapel is currently being planned for the summer.

Donations towards the renovation of Andrews Chapel have totaled $140,000 over the past seven years, which significantly helped turn the restoration project from a vision into a reality. In addition to one charitable donation of $75,000, there have been over 110 separate donations that range between $5 and $5,000. Seven contractors from the Swampscott area also donated either some or all of their labor costs.

Andrews Chapel has been officially closed to the public since 2001, a fact that Deb Bogardus, chairperson of the Chapel Restoration Committee since 2009, remembers quite well.

“I was actually the last person to use the chapel for my sister’s funeral in 2001,” she told gatherers at a Town Meeting last week.

During the Town Meeting, Bogardus spoke of how the money for the renovation project was raised to bring Andrews Chapel, which was built in 1923, back to its original form.

“Town Meeting had voted $180,000 over the years to fix the building. So the town really kicked in first,” she said. “Those monies were used to shore up the exterior – repairing holes in the slate roof, replacing missing stones, granite work – basically sealing up the outside, making it weather tight.”

Bogardus also listed a number of repairs and improvements to the chapel’s interior, including 10 leaded glass windows, new walls, wiring and light fixtures, stenciling and lettering, new electrical and heating systems, and a new bathroom. The chapel will also now be handicap accessible.

“We’ve repaired the damaged ceiling and installed new fans to improve circulation,” she elaborated. “We’ve restored the two enormous doors at the front entrance and refinished the floors and stage. The original pews are also restored and ready to be installed.”

“We’re very close to the finish line, but we’re not done yet,” Bogardus went on to say. “There are two things that are very special about the restoration. One, we’re restoring an architectural gem and preserving a bit of what makes Swampscott a special place. And two, we’re reopening an amazing gathering place for music, poetry, veteran’s services, and to celebrate the lives of people who not only live in Swampscott but choose to make it their final resting place.”

Photo courtesy of A.Davey via Flickr