Restore Starkweather Chapel
Donation protected
The Starkweather Chapel is located in Ypsilanti, Michigan's Highland Cemetery. Funded by Mary Ann Starkweather, it was built in 1888 and designed by the Detroit architectural firm of Mason & Rice. It is in the Richarsonian Romanesque style and contains beautiful Tiffany stained glass memorial windows.
Cemeteries all across the country face budget shortfalls due mostly to the trend away from in-ground burials and low interest rates paid on perpetual care funds. Highland Cemetery is no different. Over the years the Ypsilanti Community has expressed an interest in restoring the chapel to allow its function for services to occur and perhaps even allow the building to be used for more contemporary purposes such as weddings or committment ceremonies, etc.
This initial fundraising effort, modest as it is, is intended to fund costs related to brick and wood repair, drywall and insulation, restoration of original furniture and humidity control. We think that a phased effort will allow the chapel to be put into service while a second phase can afford us repairs to the deteriorated sandstone trim and conservation of the stained glass windows.
As of the summer of 2020 the restoration of the roof is complete and the restored doors have been re-installed. Interior work completed so far includes restoring the ceiling, wet plaster repairs to the walls, and reproducing the missing wainscot in the tower (or apse) area. A majority of the chapel walls have been painted in their original colors. The current Covid-19 situation slowed our work this past spring but we are back on the job and have completed the sanding and refinishing of the hardwood floors. We are very close to being able to conduct services and other activities after a closure of over 30 years.
As a 501 (c) (13) donations are tax deductible, and the Ypsilanti community will be the richer for acting as good stewards for this architectural gem!
Cemeteries all across the country face budget shortfalls due mostly to the trend away from in-ground burials and low interest rates paid on perpetual care funds. Highland Cemetery is no different. Over the years the Ypsilanti Community has expressed an interest in restoring the chapel to allow its function for services to occur and perhaps even allow the building to be used for more contemporary purposes such as weddings or committment ceremonies, etc.
This initial fundraising effort, modest as it is, is intended to fund costs related to brick and wood repair, drywall and insulation, restoration of original furniture and humidity control. We think that a phased effort will allow the chapel to be put into service while a second phase can afford us repairs to the deteriorated sandstone trim and conservation of the stained glass windows.
As of the summer of 2020 the restoration of the roof is complete and the restored doors have been re-installed. Interior work completed so far includes restoring the ceiling, wet plaster repairs to the walls, and reproducing the missing wainscot in the tower (or apse) area. A majority of the chapel walls have been painted in their original colors. The current Covid-19 situation slowed our work this past spring but we are back on the job and have completed the sanding and refinishing of the hardwood floors. We are very close to being able to conduct services and other activities after a closure of over 30 years.
As a 501 (c) (13) donations are tax deductible, and the Ypsilanti community will be the richer for acting as good stewards for this architectural gem!
Organizer
Barry LaRue
Organizer
Charter Township of Ypsilanti, MI
