Williamsville Chapel

Early History

In 1872, a group of women living in and around the village of Williamsville felt that a building was needed to use as a community meeting place. These women organized a sewing circle called the “Ladies’ Union Social Circle” with the intent of raising funds to erect a chapel. Original members were:  
Mary C. Cheney Mrs. C. M. Allen Mrs. C. C. Hemenway Mrs. Lucy B. Hale Mrs. John D. Williams Mrs. N. H. Felton
Mrs. Susan M. Jewett Mrs. Seth P. H. Hale
Mrs. Etta M. Sheldon

Many of these women were wives of prominent businessman of the day. N. H. Felton was a dealer in dry goods, boots, and shoes in the village. Hale & Williams were manufacturers of chair seats and dealers in lumber. Seth Hale ran a general store including a post office, express, and telegraph facilities. 

Susan Jewett’s son, Henry Jencks, was one of 3 men on the building committee for the chapel. He, along with Reverend M. H. Hitchcock and Charles E. Brown, were responsible for acquiring the land where the chapel was built.

The original Agreement of Association of the Williamsville Union Sunday School Society was dated June 22, 1888.  The stated purpose for which the Corporation was constituted was: 

“...to interest all the residents of Williamsville and vicinity in maintaining public worship and a Sunday School on the Sabbath and such religious and social meetings and other assemblies on weekdays, as the public interest shall require.”

The agreement was signed by:  
Chas E. Brown M. H. Hitchcock Henry B. Jencks Ellen M. Williams
Sarah E. Hemenway Minerva F. Hale Susan M. Jewett

 In 1887, the “Ladies’ Union Social Circle” felt the time had come to build the chapel and on August 29, 1888, “The Williamsville Union Sunday School Society” was incorporated. The chapel was constructed by J. N. Lincoln of Furnace, MA. The cost including furnishings was $2,073.75 and it was dedicated, free of debt, on February 22, 1889.

Hubbardston Historical Society Acquisition

The Hubbardston Historical Society (HHS) was approached by the Williamsville Sunday School Society (WSSS) in 1999 with a proposal to deed the chapel over to the HHS due to the dwindling membership in WSSS. Their intent was to put the building in the hands of a historically minded group that would allow future generations to appreciate it and use it for meetings, weddings, and other events. The members of the HHS voted to accept the chapel and the deed transfer was recorded in November of 2001. The WSSS had done a good job of keeping the building in fairly good shape and no major work was immediately required.

Since acquiring the chapel, HHS has done much maintenance including interior and exterior painting, ceiling repairs, window repairs, etc. but has maintained the original condition of the building. A composting toilet has been installed but we still have no running water or central heat, using the 3 wood stoves to take the chill off when needed.

Annual events at the chapel include:

Annual Pie Sale/Summer Social held in June

Annual Meeting & Potluck Supper held in October

Annual Thanksgiving Farmers Market held the Sunday before Thanksgiving

Architectural Description

The Williamsville Chapel, at 4 Burnshirt Road, is one of Hubbardston's best examples of Queen Anne style, and the only Queen Anne institutional building in town. The little-changed story and a half towered building has a main front-gabled block housing the sanctuary. Appended is a front shed-roofed section, which is a generous anteroom and reception area, and a tower which houses the entrance. An inset porch edged with a decorative railing leads to double leaf doors with central windows bordered in Queen Anne style with stained glass panes.

The tower interior includes a hall, coat closet, and small storeroom. The upper tower is octagonal, topped by an elaborate weathervane and skirted with faceted concave panels sheathed with decoratively cut shingles. The chapel walls are patterned with cut shingles, stickwork, and clapboarding. Upper pairs of panes in elongated 4/4 windows on the first floor are colored glass; tower windows are 6/6s. A kitchen wing (1920) leads to a stairway to the cellar where an earth closet was built at the same date. The building still has no running water; a metal sink is connected to a neighbor's hose when dinners are served in the chapel.

The interior is furnished with wooden chairs of late 19th century design, perhaps made in the village chairworks, and several ornate iron wood-burning stoves. The stoves provide the building's only heat, and a large one in the kitchen is used for cooking. An oilcloth with Chinese designs in the anteroom is the only covering on the wooden floors. A plain, low wooden platform was added to the sanctuary in the early 20th century. An antique Boston piano on heavy carved legs provides music.

Architectural Details photo Gallery

Summary from Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System Inventory (MACRIS)

Ongoing Building Maintenance Plan

under construction…

Restoration Photo Gallery