Fundraising

Click here for information about preserving WHEELER CHAPEL!

Wheeler Chapel Needs You! Wheeler Memorial Chapel is in desperate need of repairs if it is going to remain of service to the Town of Merrimack. This social and architectural treasure was built in 1889 and is well into its second century. If the chapel is going to survive to the end of this century and beyond, we need to act now! The Wheeler Memorial Chapel Trust is actively seeking funding in the form of grants, cash gifts and "gifts in kind" that will allow us to preserve this landmark and restore it to a condition that will let it - remain a source of pride in the community, be a facility that benefits the townspeople and provide a connection to the past of Reeds Ferry/Merrimack.

Wheeler Chapel has a rich legacy of service to the community. In addition to raising funds to help continue that tradition, the Wheeler Chapel Trust is also documenting the chapel's past. As we research the many anecdotes of the building's service to the town, those that can be documented will be added to the History section of this site.

While several groups currently call Wheeler Chapel their regular meeting place, including: Faith Episcopal Church and several support groups, Wheeler Chapel, since its very beginning, has played host to such diverse groups as the First Congregational Church, the Ladies Aid Society and the Reeds Ferry Water District. While the aforementioned groups meet or met on an ongoing basis, the chapel has also been the place of choice for many wedding receptions, parties, musical rehearsals and recitals over the decades. As we progress with the massive effort to preserve and restore this local treasure it is our mission to not only continue, but to augment the services available at Wheeler Chapel.

Below are an assortment of photos that show some of the areas of immediate concern in the life of the chapel. To the positive, there has been extensive repair of animal damage to the soffit, fascia and exterior crown molding as well as storm damage to some of the window systems in the first floor area. A replacement of the roof systems in early 2006, addressed the extensive accumulation of damaging moss, as well as a number of holes in the shingling itself that permitted damaging volumes of water into the interior of the building. This resulted in the collapse of a portion of the kitchen ceiling which has since been replaced.
The louvers in the steeple area of the chapel are in very bad condition and there is work to be done on some of the support joists under the floor.

With extensive support from users of the building, the community and grants from charitable foundations we have been able to effect the critical repairs that left undone would likely have rendered the chapel uninhabitable. Now we need to progress to the tasks that will make the building sturdy, predictable and of service to the Merrimack community for years to come!

Wheeler Chapel needs your help NOW! If you would like to see this building preserved for the benefit of the citizens of Merrimack, please contact us about making a tax deductible donation or other types of contributions.

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The Wheeler Chapel Memorial Trust is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization. All contributions are deductible within the limits of current tax laws.

Send e-mail to webmaster@wheelerchapel.org with questions or comments about this web site.

Mail: PO Box 194, Merrimack, NH 03054–0194