John T. Brown, a long-serving Oak Hill Trustee donated to the cemetery a bell and tower opposite the main entrance for the intention of tolling during funeral processions as they entered. He also donated money to build the entrance from Parker Street, “In memory of those dear to me who repose within the boundaries of Oak Hill Cemetery.”
At his death in 1901, his will be designated $10,000 to erect a chapel for burial services. His intention was for a nondenominational chapel for burial services whether the person was interred at Oak Hill Cemetery or elsewhere. An additional $2,000 was donated by his brother Charles H. Brown when he passed away several years later.
It was completed in 1914 and was designed by Edwin Sherrill Dodge, who had also designed the beautiful Newburyport High School. He chose a Neo-Palladian building, named after the Italian architect Andrea Pallado. Mr. Dodge used Rockport granite blocks that were transported via Cambridge by freight. Inside the chapel, tiles imported from Wales adorn the floor while light can shine through by six-foot arched windows reflecting off an arched ceiling. Fourteen handmade wooden pews were provided for seating. [Thirteen remain today]
Two large slates dedicated to Ellen T. Brown and other family members adorn either side of the doorway under the portico.
The emergence of modern-day funeral homes had made the chapel a less popular venue for funerals. Worse, the heating system was outmoded and deteriorating causing the closure of the chapel in 1953. The last funeral held in the chapel was held under the direction of the late Todd C. Woodworth, a local mortician.
Fortunately, years later, an effort by the board of trustees was made to restore the chapel in August 2007 and the exterior restoration was completed in November of 2007. The Trustees were recognized by the Newburyport Preservation Trust for their efforts to restore the exterior. Presently (as of 2024), no attempt has been made to bring back a heating system or plumbing into the building. It is used occasionally for local special events.