Wilde Memorial Chapel

This granite memorial building was erected as a mortuary chapel by Mary Ellen Wilde in memory of her husband, Samuel Wilde, Jr. of Montclair, New Jersey. Born in Dorchester, Massachusetts in 1831, he spent his adult life as a businessman in New York City. At seventeen he joined his father’s wholesale spice and coffee company, Withington & Wilde, the first firm in the U.S. to perfect the process of roasting coffee by machine. Like his father, he was an abolitionist and they provided a safe place in their store for fleeing enslaved people. The company ultimately became Samuel Wilde & Sons. After his father and brother died, Samuel became the sole proprietor of the business. Under his management the firm continued to prosper.

Samuel and Mary Ellen Lunt of West Falmouth, Maine, married in 1853. They had one daughter, Mary Houghton Wilde. In 1860 the family moved to Montclair, New Jersey, where he built a luxurious home. He became actively involved as a trustee in a number of businesses, was elected to several city offices and also served a term in the New Jersey legislature.

With Mary Ellen’s family connection to Maine and the memories she and Samuel probably shared about their summer visits, Samuel purchased a family lot in Evergreen. He and Frank M. Floyd, cemetery superintendent, had an ongoing correspondence about the cemetery and plans for its improvements. When Frank spoke about his interest in building a chapel at a cemetery entrance, Samuel responded enthusiastically. In October 1889, Samuel sent a letter to Frank explaining poor health had prevented him from coming to Maine. In the letter he asked how much it would cost to build a chapel in the cemetery. Frank’s response was $20,000.

Samuel Wilde died March 8,1890 and was buried in Evergreen. After an appropriate time, Frank Floyd contacted Mary Ellen about his conversation and written correspondence with Samuel about providing the funds for a chapel. She was not aware of Samuel’s contact with Frank Floyd and she responded she would take the matter under consideration. Frank Floyd waited for an answer but none came. It would be ten years before she happened to meet a mutual friend of her husband and Floyd who assured her Floyd was an honest man who could be trusted. She was then determined to carry out her husband’s wishes. She traveled to Portland to meet with the cemetery trustees and city officials. After much communication in person and on paper, Mary Ellen and the cemetery trustees signed a contract for the chapel construction.

Frederick A.Tompson, a highly regarded Portland architect, created the Gothic design. Frank W. Cunningham & Co. had the masonry contract and J. W. Burrowes was responsible for the wood construction. On June 10,1902 the corner stone was laid in place. The copper box placed within the stone contained a picture of the Montclair First Congregational Church, which Samuel had generously supported financially and with his time. Other photos and family items were also placed in the box. Portland mayor Frederic E. Boothby coordinated the ceremonies which also included prayers and addresses by four local clergy.

The stonework is North Jay white granite. The roof is covered by Brownville slate. The 765 pound bronze bell was cast by Menelly Bell, Co. of West Troy, NY. Inscribed on it are the following words: In Memory of Samuel Wilde/ born Dorchester, Massachusetts/ October 3, 1831/ Died Montclair, New Jersey/March 8.1890/ Dedicated in loving Memory/ By his wife/ Mary Ellen Wilde.

The interior woodwork is cypress. The floor is granolithic, a combination of cement and granite. The walls are covered with buff colored Philadelphia brick. The pulpit, altar and pews, whose ends are hand carved, are made of quartered oak. Spence, Moakler & Bell of Boston designed and made the stained glass windows.

Dedication ceremonies were held on Samuel Wilde’s birthday, October 3, 1902. At the conclusion of the opening remarks, Mary Ellen Wilde presented the chapel keys to Mayor Frederic E. Boothby and stated “In this chapel all are free to participate in rites to the honored dead.” She also stated that ivy was not to be planted against the walls.

The Wilde family burial lot is located at Baxter Circle, a short walk on Arbutus Avenue. A tall marble female figure holding a cross and leaning on an anchor, which symbolizes hope, tops the monument. Both Samuel and Mary Ellen are interred here as is their daughter Mary Houghton Wilde. Mary Ellen’s parents, Joshua and Mercy Lunt and Mercy’s sister Harriet are also interred on the lot.

Sources: “Samuel Wilde Memorial Chapel to be Erected at Evergreen Cemetery,” Evening Express March 22, 1902.

 Jordan, William B.(Jr,) “The Wilde Memorial Chapel” Friends of Evergreen Bulletin June 1992. p 2.