$75,000 pledge going to the chapel

SWAMPSCOTT – A Swampscott couple has agreed to match all donations and grants up to $75,000 to help finish restoration of the Andrews Chapel in Swampscott Cemetery.”It’s just so uplifting to think that there’s someone that supportive and generous and willing to show such leadership, and hopefully people will see their gift and step up,” said Deb Bogardus, chairwoman of the Andrews Chapel Restoration Committee. “We’re excited because we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I feel like it will happen. It really will happen.”The Isaac H. Andrews Chapel was built in 1923-1924 at the bequest of Ellen Andrews, in memory of her husband, a former Swampscott selectman, assessor and resident. The non-denominational chapel was designed by architect Charles V. Burgess in the Norman Gothic style with seam-faced granite, a heavy slate roof, and buttresses to support the structure, according to a historical survey of the building. The building and cemetery were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.The chapel, however, fell into disrepair, and town leaders had to decide within the last decade whether to raze or repair the structure. In fact, Bogardus had the last event in the chapel – a memorial service for her sister in 2001. Around that time, the town set aside $150,000 for the chapel’s restoration. But this was not used until 10 years later when the town replaced old stones in the exterior, realigned the walls and tower, and repaired the old slate roof.The work effectively shored up the exterior of the building so that rain, mold, animals and teenagers could not get inside. But a lot of work remained, and money had to be raised for each task.”We’ve done this whole project on a sort of a la carte basis,” said David Gardiner, a member of the restoration committee.The restoration group raised money and volunteers to have carpentry work done. An electrician rewired the entire building to bring it up to code. A local Boy Scout refinished the 20 wooden pews for his Eagle Scout project. A furniture restorer refinished the 250-pound oak front doors, and a local stained-glass craftsman cleaned, repaired, and re-soldered the 10 stained-glass windows.Last week, local residents William and Jane Mosakowski agreed to match all cash donations and grants received by next June and up to a total of $75,000. Part of this gift includes matching a $30,000 grant the restoration committee has already received.”This pledge gives us money to continue with some carpentry work over the summer and is just a great piece of momentum,” Gardiner said.Other projects include installing a wheelchair ramp, re-stenciling lettering and trim designs, refinishing the floors, plasterwork, and more.To see the work that has been done and the work that remains, the chapel will be open Monday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.”I’m just trying to live long enough to see this thing finished,” Bogardus said.To contribute to the restoration, please send a check payable to The Andrews Chapel Restoration Fund / ECCF to Andrews Chapel Restoration Fund, PO Box 104, Swampscott, MA 01907. Donations can also be made online at eccf.org.