Will the intact Bell of Chapel 1871 in North Clarendon ring once more in years to come?
Neighbors and residents of Clarendon-rich with early settler’s history, have set their mind to restore the old Chapel to bring back their village.
Bringing back the history of the area would enhance its uniqueness, foster pride for residents for its yesteryears filled with wonders that started 10’000 years ago when the last glacier receded, and Native American moved in.
Fire warden Clayton Rockwell has volunteered to paint the southern end, Jim Theodore of ITT Properties offered to do split rails, Bronson Spencer a survey. Jackson Evans, a window restoration expert, assists with various aspect of the stain glass windows, a crucial component of this revival. Devin Colman, Architectural Historian, who has worked on several projects in the area such as the Kingsley Bridge and the Grist Mill has deemed the Chapel National Registry eligible.
An incentive for everyone to better their town, gardens, and homes.
So, what is there to lose? Increase cyclists exploring the rural roads of our beautiful region? Attract new residents who will enjoy, protect, and invest in this untouched Vermont dominion and enclave?
“Bringing back the history of the area would enhance its uniqueness, foster pride for residents for its yesteryears filled with wonders that started 10’000 years ago when the last glacier receded, and Native American moved in the territory. Give an incentive for everyone to better their town, gardens, and homes…” says: Nicolette Asselin Board member and grant writer for the project.
On July 27th, during the ‘Town-Wide Sale’ the Chapel will be open for viewing. Please stop by, visit, share your stories, perhaps you may want to get involved in this community effort to bring back our forgotten precious jewels. The repurposing of a neglected building could bring new life in the old village.
Questions: 802-468-7047
Address: 437 Old Route 7 North Clarendon, VT
CLARENDON — Anna Towle said she’s convinced the North Clarendon Chapel has shrunk. “When I was a kid it was an awful lot bigger,” said the 75-year-old from behind a table where she was selling vegetables Saturday on behalf of Friends of the North Clarendon Chapel. “My mother used to teach Sunday school. There were seven of us kids who kids who used to come. … Our minister was Mrs. Baker, Christina Baker. She used to be a missionary to India.”
The Friends were offering tours of the building and soliciting ideas from the community about what should be done with it once it’s been renovated. The chapel was constructed in 1871, and Nicolette Asselin, of Clarendon Heritage, said it has been closed since sometime in the 1980s.
“It was built as a little country church,” Asselin said. “It’s been closed, really, forever. … I guess they didn’t know about how to write grants, get money. … It’s not really unsafe. It’s just kind of gotten forgotten.”
Asselin has been working with the Friends organization, and got them a $250 grant to which they raised a $250 match for an assessment of the building. CONT
The Chapel situated in North Clarendon is being evaluated for repairs. The Preservation Trust of Vermont will be sending a Field Representative in September to look at it and may grant a “Condition Assessment Grant”. Meanwhile, we have started a fundraiser to raise funds for its repairs and rehabilitation into a Community Center. Read more
A Barn Census is underway. Many barns are on the National Registry. The State of Vermont is working on a database to update the conditions. Read more. You may volunteer to assist with this project.
Our Education Director is preparing Field Classes for the Fall Semester. If you are a teacher or are part of an organization that wishes to host a class, we recommend signing up early. Read more.
The Clarendon Historical Society is researching information on archeology and early settlers. Meetings are third Wed of every month at 6 PM. Next date: Wednesday, August 16, 2017. Clarendon Town Hall.
If you have news to share for our Newsletter, send us a note.
CLARENDON Heritage 