A gem amid the stones - Samuel Wilde Memorial Chapel

I have had the pleasure of conducting several weddings at the Samuel Wilde Memorial Chapel which is actually located in front of the Evergreen Cemetery in Portland, Maine. This is a fabulous stone church which makes you feel as thought you have stepped back in times. In fact, recently, the Portland Press Herald highlighted the chapel and the wedding I officiated at in July. Rob and Nicole tied the knot amidst their family and friends and I was happy to be there again.

This chapel was built more than a century ago and over the years has fallen into a bit of disrepair however, last fall the City spruced up the interior to continue to make it appealing and provide it with an opportunity to play a role in Portland's public life.

The history of the chapel in quite interesting. Mary Ellen Wilde, built the chapel in honor of her husband, Samuel Wilde, Jr. Samuel Wilde, who lived in New Jersey, was a wholesaler of coffee and spices. He was active with the underground railroad which helped runaway slaves reach freedom in the North and Canada. Mary Ellen Wilde was born in Falmouth, Maine and she and her husband spent summers frequently on the coat of Maine. As a result, she finally chose the Evergreen Cemetary as their final resting place. Samuel died in 1890, at the age of 58, and the chapel construction began in 1902.
Mary Ellen Wilde built the chapel so that it would be available for non-denominational funeral services for the poor families that could not afford in funeral parlors as the wealthier people could. The cost for building the chapel at that time was $25,000 which in today's dollars would be the equivalent of almost $600,000.

The granite is North Jay white granite, Brownville slate covers the roof and the stained glass windows were made by a Boston company. There is a bell in the chapel tower weighing 765 pounds. The pews and the altar are carved oak, which I have heard were carved by hand. The chapel can seat just over 100 people.

The rental fee for using the chapel for a wedding is $400 for City Residents and $500 for non-residents. There is no charge for using the chapel for funerals. John Dumais is the cemetary manager if you would like more details.