I started building Saint Michael's Chapel on my 2.3 acre property at the foot of the Shawangunk Ridge in New York's Hudson Valley in the Spring of 2021. When Covid shut down the churches, I knew I had to take a radical step and insure that Mass at Easter would never be banned again.
I had had a waking vision many years ago to build a stone chapel at a certain spot on my property where a massive weeping willow tree stood. A few years later the tree was knocked over in a fierce wind storm. I took this as a signal from God to begin the Chapel. I began slowly clearing the land around it. When Covid-19 hit and the Churches were closed, I knew what I had to do. By the grace of God, our priest had secretly said Mass for us and given us holy Communion all throughout darkest parts of the plandemic, especially at Easter. But we were lucky.
A Bishop can order his churches closed, but they have no such control over a private chapel. Our priest would be able, willing, and welcome to say the Old Mass, Traditional Latin Mass here without worry or fear.
When I started, I thought I had enough money to finish the chapel. Life interfered and I was wrong, my wife and I have been married 30 years and have 8 children. Inflation has driven up the cost of everything. I think I have most of the stone on hand, but mortar and concrete are expensive and have gone up massively in price. And then there will be the roof. I have the roof beams already, but installing them will take time and money as I will need to hire a lift.
I have spent about $25,000 of my own money so far on the chapel. My cash reserves are gone. I think it will take about $25,000 more to finish it completely. That's why I am asking for your help. God willing, you will find it in your heart to help me complete this holy project. I will remember all your names in daily prayers and in the chapel itself, inscribed on the walls. And when the chapel is finished, you too can come to Tridentine Mass there.
Thank You- Michael Rose, Father, Artist, Teacher.
https://saintmichaelschapel.org/#