(click any photos to enlarge)
I've been seeing a lot of commercials on TV for "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" (which was filmed here in Massachusetts), the new Jennifer Garner/Matthew McConaughey movie due out Friday, May 1st...
Some scenes for the movie were filmed in and around the Martha-Mary Chapel, situated on the grounds of the historic Longfellow's Wayside Inn in Sudbury, Massachusetts.
So I headed over there the other day to take some pictures to share with you and, as you can see from my photos, it was a gray and misty day (actually a good thing because I pretty much had the place to myself)... The chapel was locked up, so I took photos through the beautiful windows... This is the interior of the chapel that you will see in the movie (I wonder if they'll show that gorgeous chandelier hanging from the ceiling?)
Then I walked around to the other side of the chapel and took this photo. (Do you see the little red school house reflected in the glass? I'll be writing about that later this week.)
In the movie trailer that I've posted a little further down, you'll see the chapel starting at about the 1:57 point...
...and when Jennifer Garner, the bride, enters the church, these are the woods that are behind her.
This is the rear entrance to the chapel, and these are the windows that Jennifer Garner's character is getting married in front of in the movie. Just click on the photo above to watch a very short movie trailer (which features the Martha-Mary Chapel starting at the 1:57 mark)...
Did you know that the Martha-Mary Chapel was named for Henry Ford's mother, Martha Ford, and mother-in-law, Mary Bryant? This plaque is attached to the front steps of the chapel. You can read a brief history on the Wayside Inn website by clicking on the above photo, or for a much more in-depth article on Ford's acquisition of The Wayside Inn and the building of the Martha-Mary Chapel, just click here.
The Martha-Mary Chapel, with its quaint charm, continues to woo movie makers... Bride Wars (the Kate Hudson/Anne Hathaway movie released earlier this year) filmed some scenes there, and Jennifer Garner was back at the Chapel to film scenes for another movie she'll be starring in, ("This Side of the Truth," a.k.a. The Invention of Lying), a comedy due out this September...
I hope you enjoyed your visit to the Chapel... I'm a sucker for romantic comedies, so I'm really looking forward to this movie! Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!
Donna
I can sure see why movie-makers would want to use this chapel in their film. It is so charming and beautiful! I'm amazed at what good pictures you got of the interior by photographing through the windows. Interesting to learn about the chapel's name. laurie
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting post. I adore that little Chapel.
ReplyDeleteI also can't wait for that movie. Everyone that knows me says I'll be the first in line as it so my type of movie. I'm a sucker too.
I also love Jennifer Gardner and I go see all her movies.
Now I'm looking forward to it even more since this post.
Hugs,
Joanne
This is such a neat post! That is why I love the East coast there is so much history, and I am a history buff! I've never heard of this movie before but I love Matthew ;) hehe. Can't wait to check it out.
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
Allison
I grew up on the North shore but the area you are talking about is so pretty. I love New England. I may have to take a ride to visit that pretty church.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos and what an interesting post on the movies from the Martha-May Chapel! Such a beautiful little chapel; no wonder movie-makers are drawn to it! Thanks for all the pics!
ReplyDeleteOh I just have to tell you! There is an almost identical Martha-Mary Chapel on the grounds of the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn! I've been to many weddings there and in my young days, sang at quite a few! Obviously its named for the very same Ford family member. I had no idea there was one in Massachusetts, too!
ReplyDeleteOh, I must see this film! I love Jennifer Garner. Those dimples are just adorable. And what an incredible cast! I love the photos and the trailer. Thanks for sharing with us. Such a pastoral setting.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
hello Donna; That is a gorgeous Chapel, I can see why they love to film there. The photos you took are so pretty. I love the romantic comedies too... Thanks for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteHugs;
Alaura
Enjoyed reading your post. We've got a lot of film-making go on here in Massachusetts. I am looking forward to this movie. Jennifer Garner's husband is in town now filming a movie right here in Massachusetts.
ReplyDeleteYour going to the chapel music was used in the closing credits for one of my favorite romantic comedies, Four Weddings and a Funeral.
What a cozy and lovely virtual home you've created here. I've enjoyed my visit here very much.... and so nice meeting you!
ReplyDeletecielo
Wonderful post. I will have to get out around Stowe and see what NE has to offer us.
ReplyDeleteI have something for you at my blog :)
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
Allison
stumbled upon your blog. My co-worker's daughter was there the day they were filming at the chapel. She is 12 and was SOOO excited to meet her. Pretty neat!
ReplyDeleteDonna,
ReplyDeleteI love this little chapel so much. My own sister Margaret was married here. The reception was at the Inn which was quite beautiful because it was in January and she arrived in a horse drawn sleigh. They had the huge fireplaces burning and I swear everyone who attended was a history buff.
Mary Ellen
I just saw the movie "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" tonight, for one because I'm a big Jennifer Garner fan and two, I, myself got married inside Martha & Mary Chapel on Oct. 1, 1994, so seeing that beautiful place in the movies is really cool.
ReplyDeleteI definitely have to see this movie. My husband and I were married there on September 14, 2002. What amazing memories I have of that beautiful chapel!
ReplyDeleteWent here too!!!! We praticially did the same trip! xxx
ReplyDeleteMy husband (military) was stationed in the Boston area for only a year, but we visited Longfellow's Wayside Inn several times that year and completely fell in love with it, including the chapel. I took my mother, a West Texas native, to see it when she was up for a leaf-peeping visit. She said, "That's it. That's what I've always thought a chapel should look like. It's just perfect!" We took lots of photos with the fall colors, too. So... a few weeks ago, my husband and I rented and watched "Ghosts...," not knowing they filmed in Sudbury. I nearly jumped off the couch when I saw that beautiful chapel. I would know it anywhere! By the way, I hear Jennifer Garner filmed part of another movie there after "Ghosts..." Will have to keep an eye out, now.
ReplyDelete