Watch Hill Chapel Updates

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.

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.

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: 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.

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.

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.

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: 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.

Funeral Service for Sam Kellogg May 10, 2025. To watch the service, please click here.

In addition to our regular Sunday services and this summer's Hymn Sing on July 27^th , we are excited to celebrate the Chapel’s 150th anniversary with three unique Sundays. Everyone is invited to join the festivities so please mark your calendars today noting special music events on June 29^th, July 6^th and September 7^th , and a celebration brunch following the Union service on September 7^th.

See details below:

June 29^th “Austin Organ Celebration Sunday” Join us for a special event following refreshments and fellowship on the terrace, around 11:45 am, with a brief tutorial by Austin Organ restoration expert Jake Dowgewicz in concert with Andrew Howell’s live demonstration. You do not want to miss this exceptional opportunity to learn about our most magnificent instrument!

July 6^th “Hot Cat Jazz Band Celebration Sunday” The six-piece Hot Cat Jazz Band, featuring trumpet, trombone, clarinet, guitar, bass, and drums will lend a celebratory tone to our Union service on July 4th weekend, playing our hymns and songs with a jazzy flair!

July 27^th “Annual Hymn Sing” Join us to sing all our favorite hymns with celebration gusto!

September 7^th “Founders Day Celebration Sunday” Completing the season’s anniversary celebrations, we invite you to join us for a Champagne Brunch (complimentary) to be held in the Chapel undercroft directly after the final Union service. All Chapel worshipers are welcome. Seating is limited, so please check your email or our website (watchhillchapel.org) for reservation information.

On an administrative note, the trustees have elected to change the Chapel’s Fiscal Year (FY), historically June 1 to May 31, to a calendar FY (January 1 to December 31), mainly for accounting purposes.

Organ Renovations In April of 2024, Trustees Beth Bean, Liz Sayre, Grant Simmons, and Music Director, Andrew Howell had an enlightening visit to the Austin Organ Workshop in Hartford to see the Chapel’s 1925 Austin Organ which was in the process of a complete restoration and enhancement. While there, they had a full tour and explanation of every aspect of historic Austin Organ building and repair and got to see various members of the Austin team in action. One of the brand-new sets of pipes (an English Horn-like sounding rank called a Schalmei) was in the process of being voiced, so they were able to play and hear that one live. They also saw the new Solo Trumpet pipes all wrapped up and ready to go, the cleaned and revoiced String pipes, and the brand-new set of Mixture pipes which add shimmer and sparkle to the sound of our instrument. The pedal board (keyboard played by the organist's feet) looked great with its new wiring and beautifully cleaned and repaired keyboards. It was a reassuring visit, and it all turned out beautifully as the new organ was up and running for the first Sunday service on June 23, 2024.

To celebrate the Instrument’s 100th anniversary, June 29th will be designated as “Austin Organ Celebration Sunday” - Join us for the Union service and enjoy a special event following refreshments and fellowship on the terrace, around 11:45 am. There will be a brief tutorial by Austin Organ restoration expert Jake Dowgewicz in concert with Andrew Howell’s live demonstration. You do not want to miss this exceptional opportunity to learn about our most magnificent instrument!

Watch Hill Chapel History

2025 News & Updates