The Martha Mary Chapel was built in 1940 under the direction of Henry Ford. One of six similar chapels that serve six different communities in three states, the chapel was built and dedicated by Mr. and Mrs. Ford as a tribute to their mothers, Martha Bryant and Mary Ford. The non-denominational chapel was built from large pine trees, once occupying the ground where the chapel presently stands, that were blown down during the infamous hurricane of 1938. Misfortune was quickly turned into a community building project by Henry Ford, resulting in the creation of the most dramatic of the six chapels. Starkly white, silhouetted against the green of fir trees on a grassy knoll, its design is essentially a miniature version of the First Parish Church located in Bradford, Massachusetts. Exactly why the First Parish was chosen as the inspiration for the Martha Mary Chapel is unknown. The “community” which Ford brought together at the time were the two public grade schools on the grounds of the Wayside Inn; the Redstone and Southwest schools, as well as the Wayside Inn Boys School, a residential trade high school. All the schools helped to build the chapel under the supervision of masons and carpenters. The building was originally heated by twin wood-burning fireplaces located in the basement, and when completed, all students attended chapel services held daily throughout the school year. In September of 1940, an employee of the Wayside Inn asked permission to have her wedding in the chapel. The Walkers became the first of now nearly 450 couples per year that are wed in the simple structure. Its interior of white pews with light grey walls, cranberry carpeting and cushions, and touches of dark wood, showcase the many wedding parties that stand at its altar. Lit by an antique chandelier of Irish crystal, the chapel seats 150 people in all four seasons, yet June, September, and October are the most popular. It is also used as the setting for lectures, musical performances, poetry readings, bell ringing concerts, and other events held by non-profit community groups. The Sudbury Ecumenical Church Council celebrates Good Friday and Easter services on this “common ground” each year, and holds services which are attended to capacity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marker on the ground right in front of the front doors: “On this spot Mrs. Henry Ford turned the first sod for this chapel Aug. 30th 1939″

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1970 Sudbury Militia

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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