Swampscott Cemetery and Andrews Chapel (1923)

 

Andrews ChapelFollowing the incorporation of the Town of Swampscott in 1852, one of the town’s first actions was to establish Swampscott Cemetery.  The landscaping was designed to create a sense of enclosure and screen the cemetery from the adjacent railroad and streets with a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees.  While some large trees remain in the older section, many along Essex Street have been lost. The roads, originally gravel surfaced, are named for plants, a common practice in late nineteenth century cemeteries.  Several cast iron road signs date to the 1890’s.

Initially, Swampscott was mostly a working-class community, with fishing and farming as the primary occupations.  Numerous ships were lost along the rocky coast of Swampscott. One of the greatest maritime losses was the barque Tedesco, under the command of Captain Peterson of Portland, Maine, which was destroyed at sea during a severe storm in January 1857. Only six of the twelve bodies were recovered and buried at Swampscott Cemetery. The importance of this event is reflected in the Tedesco monument located near the Paupers Lot. The monument is an eight-foot-tall marble obelisk on marble pedestal and granite base. The original inscription is badly faded, but a newer bronze plaque on the base preserves the original language. The monument is surrounded by three granite posts, which were probably once connected by chains.

Andrews Memorial Chapel, designed by Charles Burgess in 1923, was built through a bequest of $32,210 from Ellen Andrews and named for her late husband, Isaac Andrews.  Mr. Andrews served the Town of Swampscott as Selectman and Assessor.  The Selectmen determined the location of the chapel within the cemetery and specified its use for funerals.

Original Construction of Chapel

The architect used Rockport granite, limestone ornamentation, a slate roof and buttresses to give it a Norman Gothic look.  Other distinctive features include a square tower topped with a crenellated parapet and pyramidal roof.  The interior has exposed roof trusses and stucco walls ornamented with a decorative stencil pattern, all of which were beautifully restored in 2016.

This chapel and Swampscott Cemetery are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  By the early 2000’s years of neglect left the chapel in ruins.  Volunteers used $180,000 which had been approved by Town Meeting to repair the exterior.  Private donations and a small grant raised $150,000 for interior renovations.  In addition, 26 local contractors and craftspeople, including a local restoration and conservation expert donated all or part of their labor costs between 2009 and 2016.

10 stained leaded glass windows have been completely rebuilt to maAndrews Chapel Interiortch originals.  The original light fixtures are restored and rewired while new electrical and heating systems and a gas line have been installed.  The damaged ceiling and walls have been repaired.  The front entry doors have been restored along with the lectern and presider’s chairs.  Stain for restored wooden elements was mixed using period-correct materials, and plaster and stenciling were replicated.

On the exterior, steps were added at the entrance along with a wheelchair ramp with the same Rockport granite used to build the original chapel, resulting in a seamless appearance.

The restored chapel is a beautiful and personal space for graveside funeral services, or a space for families to reflect on the passing of a loved one. The chapel can also serve as a focal point for arts displays, or small musical performances by our resident artists.

 

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