CHEEVER CHAPEL

920 Route 118, Dorchester, NH

Built in 1905, this chapel is actually more precisely named the Cheever Union Sunday School. The chapel’s construction was thanks to local ties with the American Sunday School Association, a Philadelphia-based organization that advocated for education of rural youth with curricula based on moral and religious teachings. It is the only known building in NH with this connection (but please send us other examples if you know of them!).

The Cheever Union Sunday School Association folded and over time, the chapel’s ownership became complicated, a real pickle when it came time to clean up the town’s tax records.

Thanks to our board member, Scott (of Cardigan Mountain Land Surveys), and Ned Gordon of Newfound Law, MVP was able to step in to clear up the ownership confusion and properly acquire the building.

MVP is planning restoration on the chapel, a scope that includes foundation work, window restoration, and bell tower repairs.