Union Church of All Faiths explained

The Union Church of All Faiths, also known as the United Memorial Chapel for All Faiths, is a 5feet by 11feet wood-framed chapel located in Hudson, Massachusetts, United States. It is occasionally cited as the "smallest church in the United States."[1] [2] However, smaller and older "tiny churches" exist in the United States, too.[3] Retired clergyman Rev. Louis Winth West built the chapel in 1953, beside his own home on Central Street. In the 1970s, it was moved to the grounds of the First Federated Church of Hudson, where it was located for many years. The building's interior fits four people, although 100 people sometimes gathered outside for religious services, including weddings.[1] In 2003, former Hudson resident Vic Petkauskos bought the chapel, relocated it to Hyannis, Massachusetts, and renovated it. He planned to place it on a barge and hold wedding ceremonies off the coast of Cape Cod, although whether he ever did so is unclear.[4] The church still exists. At some point, it made its way back to Hudson from Hyannis. It is currently located on private property on Causeway Street in Hudson, where it is visible from the road.

References

42.3814°N -71.5373°W

Notes and References

  1. [#Halp01|Halprin 2001]
  2. Book: Citro . Joseph A. . Foulds . Diane E.. 2004 . Curious New England: The Unconventional Traveler's Guide to Eccentric Destinations . registration . Lebanon, NH . University Press of New England . 129–130 . 1-58465-112-1 . 2nd.
  3. Web site: Kirby . Doug . America's smallest roadside churches . . June 10, 2006 . May 15, 2020.
  4. Book: Gellerman . Bruce . Sherman . Erik . 2008 . Massachusetts Curiosities: Quirky characters, roadside oddities & other offbeat stuff . Guilford, CT . Globe Pequot Press . 171–173 . 978-0-7627-4680-4 . 2nd.