Espenschied Chapel is not a church nor affiliated with any churches. But the simple elegance of its design inspires a spiritual energy, making it an ideal place for people to gather together.
Mascoutah Cemetery Chapel, Inc. is the official name of the 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit group that was formed to save the chapel from demolition in 1999.
Since its restoration, it serves as a cultural center in the community. We have a concert series and are working toward hosting more programs and cultural events and workshops! We feature artists who play original and traditional music.
The chapel was built at the bequest of a generous local family in 1928. Though it was very well built, after a short time it fell out of use, as funeral homes and local churches were preferred for services.
So the chapel sat unused and neglected for decades, until a decision was made that it was not needed anymore and that it would be too costly to invest in repairs to save the building.
Some concerned citizens rallied community support just in time to spare it from the wrecking ball. A not-for-profit group was formed and raised all the necessary funds –thanks to the generosity of the community– and with sheer determination, pitched in and did the work to restore the chapel to its original glory. A kitchen was added downstairs, new furnace and central air conditioning, new restroom facilities and some other improvements as well.
The intimacy of the small venue (100-115) will spoil you!
If you are interested in sponsoring or underwriting a concert, please contact us.
With that same can-do attitude that saved the chapel, we aspire to become a looked-to cultural center and concert venue.
Monthly meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m., at the chapel, unless otherwise noted. During this time of global pandemic, all meetings are being held remotely until further notice.
All rentals are subject to the state and city guidelines.
This pandemic is not over.
But we are allowing rentals.
This has been a difficult time for all of us, and we are committed to adhering to the health and safety guidelines provided by the state, county and city and CDC.
In the event that you book a rental and guidelines prohibit the gathering, we will gladly reschedule your rental or refund your payment.
During this time, until further notice, all Mascoutah Cemetery Chapel, Inc. meetings will be conducted remotely.
All fundraising activities are suspended until further notice.
For more info, call: 618-566-7425.
We are still in fundraising mode!
Thank you to all the generous donors who have helped make this project possible.
Construction is complete! Several things have come up that have added to the estimated cost. We did not meet our fundraising goal,
so we do have a list of needed further improvements, which include plaster repair, a new roof, improving gutters, stage lighting, tables and chairs, microwave oven, landscaping, a vacuum cleaner ...
Please consider make a donation.
We are a 501(c)(3), so gifts are tax-deductible.
Wedding photos by Larissa Photography
Just to mention a few...
Espenschied Chapel is next to the Mascoutah Cemetery and is available to be used for funerals and memorial services.
To honor the original purpose of the chapel, we do not charge a rental fee for funerals and memorial services, though donations are gratefully accepted.
And the new addition is ideal for a luncheon after the services. This makes it more convenient for guests to stay and partake of a meal together after the services.
We present workshops from time to time. When Geoff Muldaur was here, he did a concert and also a guitar playing workshop.
Construction of the new addition is complete!
Espenschied Chapel is accessible! The new, accessible entrance to an addition includes new restrooms, a green room and an area for catered luncheons. The proposed improvements will make the chapel an ideal place for funeral and memorial services, as was the original purpose of the chapel.
Our fundraising fell short of our goal.
Part of the goal was to be for a new roof for the original chapel.
And we need to finish up the outdoor area by the new back door, and have plans to have a patio area back there. And also make a path from the old front entrance to the new, gently sloped sidewalk, and have a little sitting area in between with some benches.
Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Mascoutah Cemetery Chapel, Inc.
December 2
Judy Collins
Thank you to all who helped make this concert happen! The donors, the ticket purchasers, the chapel workers and, of course, JUDY COLLINS and her team.
It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
If you were here and would like to share a comment please, we'd love to hear it.
If you would like to receive email from us about upcoming events or news about projects at the chapel, please let us know. If you had signed up for our email list and are not receiving emails from us, please contact us. We have been getting a lot of rejected mail and are trying to update our mailing list.