It All Started in Your Beautiful Little Church
Dear Reverend Dunkley,
I'm not sure what inspired my wife Loretta and I to view the churches website.
But I'm pleased to see the beauty and diversity of this quaint church goes on.
We were married in your beautiful church, August 5, 1969.
Our marriage in your church by Rev. James Bash was a bit unique.
My wife spent a couple of summers working at Farm & Wilderness Camp and knew quite a few local Woodstock people (who were totally instrumental in making this happen).
Although we left with an official marriage certificate, it was quite a few years later, and visiting the church that we discovered we were not in the Church registry.
We discovered and laughed that we weren't the only ones from that period.
As we recalled, things got running a bit late and Rev. Bash was anxious to get to the party. He brought the registry with him to sign there. After much merriment the book never got signed.
Here we are about to celebrate our 52nd anniversary and it all started in your beautiful little church.
Phil and Loretta Lavell
Happy 52nd Anniversary, Phil and Loretta Lavell
Married August 5, 1969 in North Chapel
“Here we are about to celebrate our 52nd anniversary and it all started in your beautiful little church.”
The Lavell Wedding Party, August 5, 1969
Maid of Honor, Renelda Meeks of Kentucky; Loretta Lavell; Phil Lavell; and Bill Menning of Woodstock, Vermont (l to r)
North Chapel Unitarian Universalist Church on August 5, 1969
“. . . I'm pleased to see the beauty and diversity of this quaint church goes on.”
See photos of North Chapel as it looks today, and learn more about getting married in our church.
Weddings
Celebrate your wedding at North Chapel
Celebrate Your Wedding at North Chapel
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!
Couples of all religious backgrounds and orientations are welcome at our Unitarian Universalist Church, and we are pleased to have you consider North Chapel for your wedding celebration.
Please use our Wedding Date Request Form below to inquire with our Office Administrator about scheduling your wedding ceremony at North Chapel.
Rodeo & Co. PhotographyHolding Your Wedding Ceremony at North Chapel
North Chapel charges for use of the building and grounds for weddings ceremonies, based on the packages described below.
Sanctuary or Riverside Garden Wedding Ceremony
Fee includes use of the following areas for your wedding celebration and rehearsal:
Sanctuary
Our performance-quality music and sound options in the Sanctuary, including:
“Thayer” Pipe Organ
Yamaha C3 Grand Piano
Sound system with audio/assistive listening support
Video capabilities available in the Parlor
Parlor and Library
Riverside Garden
Use of the Sanctuary or Riverside Garden for your prescheduled rehearsal
Your signed contract and a nonrefundable payment of 50% of the total fee is required to hold your wedding date. The remaining 50% balance of your fee is due 45 days prior to your wedding.
Should you plan to hold a rehearsal at North Chapel, please note that rehearsal space is based on availability and should be scheduled no later than 45 days prior to your wedding date.
Elopement/Intimate Wedding Ceremony
Use of the Parlor or Meditation Chapel
A signed contract and nonrefundable payment of $300 is required to hold your ceremony date and space.
Minister
$400 fee based on availability and agreement of our minister, Rev. Dr. Leon Dunkley.
Weddings are often performed by our minister but couples also are welcome to have their own officiant for their ceremony. In either case, please speak with Rev. Dunkley prior to finalizing arrangements for your ceremony at North Chapel. He can be reached by email at lldunkley@gmail.com or by calling 802-369-5104.
Music
The wedding couple is free to hire musicians of their own choosing to play at their ceremony.
Our Director of Music, Diane Mellinger, is frequently available to play at weddings and may be contacted directly if her services are desired. Diane can be reached by email at vermontdianem@aol.com or by calling 802-234-6619.
Visiting musicians should contact the Diane if there are questions about the use of the facilities, sound equipment or Thayer Pipe Organ.
Event Spaces
The North Chapel Unitarian Church’s beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces were renovated in 2009-2010 and are ADA compliant/accessible
In a town known for historic and beautiful buildings, the North Chapel Unitarian Universalist Church stands out.
We are proud to have preserved and enhanced our facility to offer a spiritual gathering place, community resource, and historic treasure for Woodstock area residents and visitors.
Our beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces were renovated in 2009-2010 and are ADA compliant/accessible.
The Sanctuary
The Sanctuary’s quiet beauty, amazing natural light, and superb acoustics make it a desirable venue for celebrations, memorials and concerts.
The Thayer Pipe Organ provides a stunning backdrop for ceremonies and impressive sound when played. An impeccably maintained Yamaha C3 Grand Piano is also available. The Sanctuary has wonderful acoustics, and microphones may not be needed, but they are available if desired. A state-of-the-art sound system also enables recorded music and assistive listening. With the recent addition of ceiling fans The space is comfortable and inviting.
Occupancy: 250 people (175 seated)
Social Hall
North Chapel’s traditional Social Hall can be accessed from the Sanctuary by two staircases or an elevator, and through an exterior entrance from the Riverside Garden and parking lot.
Tables and chairs are available and can be set up in various arrangements. The recently upgraded Kitchen and prep area is available for service and warming of previously prepared food. Those renting the kitchen MUST have prior approval.
The Social Hall supports audiovisual presentations with a built-in sound system, a large screen for video, and room-darkening capability.
Occupancy: 157 seated (74 seated at tables)
Riverside Garden
Riverside Garden
Bordering the Ottauquechee River, the back of the Church offers elegant gardens and a well groomed, flat, grass lawn that will accommodate a large tent for receptions, parties and meetings.
Benches and a small gazebo along the river offer opportunities for photos or quiet conversations.
We also have a picnic area with a wood fired pizza oven and a children’s play area.
Stop by and visit anytime.
Meditation Chapel
Added in 2019, the Meditation Chapel offers a simple, elegant space, with a separate entrance, for intimate ceremonies. Bright walls and large windows offer beautiful natural light, and a view of the Riverside Garden. This space is reserved for quiet gatherings.
Occupancy: 15 seated
Parlor
Our recently remodeled Parlor, which overlooks the Ottauquechee River, is suitable for small ceremonies, meetings and presentations, and offers advanced presentation/audio capabilities with a large screen that can be connected to a laptop for video presentations.
Occupancy: 60 seated
Library
With a large table and bookshelves, the Library is an ideal location for small meetings and conversations.
Occupancy: 12 seated
The above photos of North Chapel interiors are by Mark Bluteau courtesy of the Bradley Family.
See more photos, floor plans, and a drone video here:
North Chapel Images 2024
Thanks to Laird Bradly and his connections for providing these images that will assist in the rental of our spaces.
Click on the link below to take a Matterport 3D Virtual Tour of our beautiful church.
Walk through the light-filled Sanctuary then continue through the door on the back left.
Turn left and down a few steps to see the first floor Parlor and Library.
Head down the large staircase on the right to view the ground floor Social Hall and Kitchen.
Step outside and to the left through the side entrance to see our Meditation Chapel.
Accessibility
The North Chapel is completely ADA compliant. A ramp in the front of the Church provides direct access to the Sanctuary. Hearing assistance/aids are available within the sanctuary.
A small elevator located behind the Sanctuary provides movement between the upper level (Sanctuary, Parlor, Library and Church Offices) and the lower level (Social Hall, Kitchen, Meditation Chapel, Classrooms, Riverside Garden and parking area).
Restrooms are accessible on all levels and doorways to all rooms are ADA compliant.