The Alvirne Memorial Chapel on Derry Road has been undergoing some major renovations over nearly a year, with much of the exterior of the building getting a facelift as well as some major land and hardscaping being done.
Because of some major drainage and foundation concerns, the Alvirne Trustees, who are responsible for maintaining the Chapel and its grounds, began the project to make some much-needed repairs and to enhance the appearance of the exterior.
The repairs included re-pointing of the granite blocks on the outside of the building, removing many of the bushes, shrubs and trees around the chapel, putting a drainage system in place around the foundation, re-grouting the stonework around the entire building and around stained glass windows, new lighting that will add to the buildings beauty at night and an addition was constructed as part of the renovation to provide restrooms to the facility.
According to the Alvirne Trustee Chair, Elaine Brody, the drainage issue was corrected at no charge by Erikson Foundation Solutions, who intalled the new system as a Community Service Project.
The Tudor-style chapel was built by Dr. Alfred K. Hills, in 1909, as a memorial to his late wife Ida Virginia Creutzborg on land purchased for the chapel and has been in use over the 115-years for multi-denominational religious services, weddings, and funerals, school tours, and other events.
The chapel is also used as the final resting place for the Hills couple and their two children.
The building is an adaptation of an English country chapel style and the exterior granite walls were constructed from ancient stonewalls of the Hills Farm Cemetery.
The large oak beams used in the interior for the trusses and the beams in the ceiling, doors, and the choir stalls where all sanded and given a treatment of linseed oil. The interior walls are also lined with gray brick. The floor was laid with red Grueby tiles with hexagon and quatrefoil patterns. The walls of the chancel are also lined with the Grueby tiles.
The building was designed by architect Hubert G. Ripley of Boston. Plans were completed and construction started in 1908. The builder, John W. Duff also of Boston, worked under the supervision of Ripley. Ripley was also the architect for the Hills Memorial Library and the library at the Alvirne supper home.
The chapel and surrounding grounds restoration project is managed by the Alvirne Trustees.
Brody also metioned that there are about 100 chairs that are being replaced and are available for free to anyone in need of some seating.
Some information gathered from the Alvirne Memorial Chapel website.