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1875
1875: Watch Hill Chapel Society in the Town of Westerly was organized on September 1,1875. By-Laws were adopted on September 4, 1875.
1876
1876: Act of the General Assembly establishing the Society was passed February 8, 1876. George M. Nash deed for the Chapel lot (70 x 120 feet) was conveyed to the Society on July 20, 1876.
1877
1877: The Chapel, built in the “English Gothic style” at a cost of $4,000, was dedicated on July 18, 1877. The initial design was perhaps suggested by James L. Howard of Hartford, later a President of the Chapel Society. The architect was actually George Keller of Hartford. Its initial dimensions were 36 x 60 feet, with a capacity estimated at 300-400 people.
1882
1882: Additional land (a 10 foot right-of-way) to the west of the Chapel was conveyed by deed from Howard Collins and Helen R. Collins.
1887
1887: The Chapel was enlarged by adding the transept to the southwest corner of the nave and rebuilding the chancel, thus creating an estimated capacity of 450. George Keller of Hartford was again the architect.
1902
1902: A second enlargement included extending the transept eastward to create a full south aisle, extending the chancel 25 feet westward and establishing the current dimensions (roughly 90 x 110 feet) with an estimated capacity of 600-750. A second front door and porch were added. The organ and fixed pews were also installed. George Keller again served as architect.
1903
1903: The deed from Edward S. Brewer was recorded, releasing his rights over the 10 foot parcel earlier conveyed by Collins grant.
1925
1925: The organ was rebuilt and enlarged.   
1928
1928: The Chapel exterior was remodeled in the Colonial Revival style, and the Gothic steeple was replaced with a cupola. 
1939
1939: Special Service of Prayer and Thanksgiving was held to mourn the losses from the Hurricane of September 21, 1938. The Rev. Remsen B. Ogilby, president of Trinity College, Hartford, presided.
1942
1942: In light of the Second World War, Watch Hill volunteers formed the Watch Hill Volunteer Defense Committee, which established support activities, including a Casualty Station, which was located in the Chapel Undercroft.
1945
1945: On Tuesday, August 14, 1945, the end of the Second World War was marked by the defeat of Japan, and on Wednesday morning, a Special Service of Thanksgiving was offered at the Chapel.
1995
1995: Entrance terrace and plantings were installed.
1999
1999: Watch Hill Chapel Prayer Book was published.
2008
​2008: A $1.5 million, 3-year Capital Campaign for the restoration and mission of the Chapel was completed, allowing a major restoration to be undertaken, an outreach component established, and the endowment replenished.
2019
2019: Extensive renovations to the Undercroft included installing two new windows on the west wall and modernizing the entire kitchen and painting area, reconfiguring the restrooms into two ADA compliant restrooms and adding air-conditioning.
2020
2020: Virtual services were added to summer offerings. The Chapel also offered a full season of in-person services following State of Rhode Island mandates for safety regarding the Covid-19 pandemic.
Changing lives forever

Over A Century Of Ministry

The Watch Hill Chapel has remained central to the life of Watch Hill and the surrounding communities as a cherished part of the lives of those who worship here. Its non-sectarian spirit and purpose give the Chapel a special quality.

The Chapel exists to support Christian worship in Watch Hill and to encourage religious, moral, charitable, educational and social activities that serve the spiritual needs of Watch Hill and the greater community. 

INFORMATION
Chapel Mottoes

The spirit of the Chapel is well expressed in the mottoes inscribed on its walls and shown below.

"The Church is Many as the Waves, but One, as the Sea."

Suggested by the Honorable James Leland Howard, a founder and early President of the Chapel.

"In Essentials, Unity: In Non-Essentials, Liberty: In All Things, Charity."

Attributed to Petrus Meiderlinus (1592-1651), a Lutheran priest. It reads: In necessariis unitas, in non-necessariis lebertas, in utrisque caritas.

Watch Hill Chapel History 1875 - Present

1875  
Watch Hill Chapel Society in the Town of Westerly was organized on September 1,1875. By-Laws were adopted on September 4, 1875.

 

1876  
Act of the General Assembly establishing the Society was passed February 8, 1876. George M. Nash deed for the Chapel lot (70 x 120 feet) was conveyed to the Society on July 20, 1876.

 

WHC HISTORIC PHOTO 01

1877  
The Chapel, built in the “English Gothic style” at a cost of $4,000, was dedicated on July 18, 1877. The initial design was perhaps suggested by James L. Howard of Hartford, later a President of the Chapel Society.  The architect was actually George Keller of Hartford. Its initial dimensions were 36 x 60 feet, with a capacity estimated at 300-400 people.

 

1882  
Additional land (a 10 foot right-of-way) to the west of the Chapel was conveyed by deed from Howard Collins and Helen R. Collins.

 

WH Chapel 1887 Photo

1887  
​The Chapel was enlarged by adding the transept to the southwest corner of the nave and rebuilding the chancel, thus creating an estimated capacity of 450. George Keller of Hartford was again the architect.

 

WH Chapel 1902 Photo

1902  
A second enlargement included extending the transept eastward to create a full south aisle, extending the chancel 25 feet westward and establishing the current dimensions (roughly 90 x 110 feet) with an estimated capacity of 600-750. A second front door and porch were added. The organ and fixed pews were also installed. George Keller again served as architect.

 

1903  
The deed from Edward S. Brewer was recorded, releasing his rights over the 10 foot parcel earlier conveyed by Collins grant.

1925  
The organ was rebuilt and enlarged.  

 

WH Chapel 1928 Photo

1928  
The Chapel exterior was remodeled in the Colonial Revival style, and the Gothic steeple was replaced with a cupola. 

 

1939
Special Service of Prayer and Thanksgiving was held to mourn the losses from the Hurricane of September 21, 1938. The Rev. Remsen B. Ogilby, president of Trinity College, Hartford, presided.

 

1942
In light of the Second World War, Watch Hill volunteers formed the Watch Hill Volunteer Defense Committee, which established support activities, including a Casualty Station, which was located in the Chapel Undercroft.

 

WHC Historic Interior 

1945
On Tuesday, August 14, 1945, the end of the Second World War was marked by the defeat of Japan, and on Wednesday morning, a Special Service of Thanksgiving was offered at the Chapel.

 

1995  
Entrance terrace and plantings were installed.

 

1999  
Watch Hill Chapel Prayer Book was published.

 

2008  
​A $1.5 million, 3-year Capital Campaign for the restoration and mission of the Chapel was completed, allowing a major restoration to be undertaken, an outreach component established, and the endowment replenished.

 

img-1677_1

2019   
Extensive renovations to the Undercroft included installing two new windows on the west wall and modernizing the entire kitchen and painting area, reconfiguring the restrooms into two ADA compliant restrooms and adding air-conditioning.

 

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2020   
Virtual services were added to summer offerings. The Chapel also offered a full season of in-person services following State of Rhode Island mandates for safety regarding the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

2023  
The Watch Hill Chapel Speaker/Music series began.

 

IMG_9117-1

2024  
Historic Austin organ removed for renovations.

The Watch Hill Chapel Society
On September 1, 1875, the Watch Hill Chapel Society was organized. The Chapel Society's By-Laws, adopted on September 4, 1875,  provide:  “The object of the Society shall be the erection and maintenance of a Chapel at Watch Hill, and the support of Christian worship therein during the summer months, without any denominational or sectarian distinctions.” The February 8, 1876 Act of the Rhode Island General Assembly, under which the Chapel Society was incorporated, speaks of establishing a corporation “for religious purposes.”

For almost 150 years since the establishment of the Chapel Society, its Board of Trustees has interpreted its mission to encompass a broad range of services and outreach to the community, including the use of its Chapel as an important community gathering center and supporting charitable services in the Westerly, RI area.
 
The Watch Hill Chapel Society is governed by a Board of Trustees, who are ​elected by the members of the Society. Officers are elected by the Trustees. Based on the election held at the WHCS Annual Meeting, the following individuals currently serve on the Board of Trustees:
 
Board of Trustees 2022-2023:
Elizabeth W. Bean, President
Andrew J. Parsons, Vice President
​Kevin R. Hoben, Treasurer
Elisabeth N. Sayre, Clerk

Trustees:
Charlotte M. Brittan
Carl A. Contiguglia
Patrick A. Lemp
Thomas D. Lips
H. Jackson Marvel
Grant G. Simmons
Walter S. Tomenson
Charles S. Whitman III

President Emerita:
Edith Eglin
Necrology
At each summer’s opening service, we read the names of those from our congregation who have died during the past year. On June 23, 2024 at 10:30 am this year we remember those we have lost in our congregation over the past year.
 
Alpha Necrology 23-24

Michael Burke
M’liss C. Chapman
Anthony C. Fonda
Elise Griffin
James W. McCormick
Kathryn B. Townsend
William Keith Walker
Nelson C. White, Jr.
Many as the Waves, One as the Sea

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