Union Chapel of Seacoast New Hampshire

06/17/2026

A revised schedule of the ministers for the 2026 season.

06/17/2026

The new roof is complete!! If you're in need the same, give Alan a call at brown's! https://www.brownscontractorservices.com

06/13/2026

Coming down the home stretch - the new roof is just about complete! We've really been blessed with a week of fine weather and a top-notch crew!

06/10/2026

From a roofer's point of view.

05/31/2026

What a storm!

05/13/2026

The Story of the Tiffany Window

Given the fact that the very existence of Union Chapel stems from the dedication of women, it's important to note that all of the stained glass windows in the Chapel are dedicated to women who were very important to it's history. Indeed, the Tiffany window at the alter was dedicated to three of the founders of the Chapel, Mary Bell White, Elizabeth W. Stott, and Phoebe S. Baker. The window itself is a testament to women.

It was probably designed by Agnes Northrop who began her career at Tiffany Glass Works in the 1880's. It was 'cut by the Woman's Glass Cutting Department' at Tiffany Glass Works under the direction of Clara Driscoll. The women were known very fondly as “The Tiffany Girls.” The department began with 5 women and grew to over 30.

The Window wholly encompasses the Lord's Miracle of nature. There are no figures in the window which is very unusual for a stained glass window in a church. Louis Comfort Tiffany was enthralled by nature and he took both Agnes and Clara with him to Paris in order to 'sketch nature.’

The glass used in the making of the window was developed by Mr. Tiffany in conjunction with Arthur J. Nash. It was not enameled and then fired in order to introduce color into the glass but, this newly developed product known as 'Favrile Glass’. was manufactured by pouring colored molten glass into clear molten glass - a technique that Tiffany trademarked in order to prevent other manufacturers from doing the same. This technique allows the for appearance startlingly beautiful colors when light shines through the glass.

When the window was restored several years ago by the wonderful craftspeople at 'Sash and Solder' in Portsmouth we found that the window is actually 3 panes thick in places. This allowed for the introduction of 'perspective' that Agnes Northrop had called for in her design. It's a truly unique window that was inspired by the 121st Psalm:

"I lift my eyes up to the hills; from where is my help to come? My help comes from the Lord the maker of heaven and earth.”

The Tiffany Girls with Agnes Northrop standing at the far left.

05/10/2026

Aside from the extreme weather that constantly batters the New Hampshire coast, another reason for the need of extensive renovations was, believe it or not, was the trees that surrounded the Chapel. There were so many of these leafy maples, the Chapel was constantly shaded and damp. They also provided a pathway for critters to get in. So, while being beautiful, they had to come down. Another benefit for having taken the trees down was that all of them hollow so, in the next 'blow' they might have fallen in to the Chapel.

05/07/2026

04/27/2026

Being in charge of the upkeep of an old building is like owning a wooden boat in the ocean - there is ALWAYS upkeep. In a few weeks we will begin on a roof replacement for the old Chapel. Every windstorm blows off more shingles. We would truly appreciate any and all financial support that our congregation would care to offer. The projected cost is into the 'five figures'. Our mailing address is: Union Chapel, PO Box 111, Rye Beach, NH. 03871. Thanks!

04/26/2026

Spring is upon us! We've got all of the Ministers lined up for the season with one exception so, keep checking back to see the 'lineup'!