All dogs go to Heaven. Well, unless they're Jewish. Or Muslim. Or whatever.

May 29, 2007 4:29 PM

"All Creeds. All Breeds. No Dogmas Allowed." Whether you are a dog person or not, you have probably seen Stephen Huneck's woodcut illustrations, sculptures, furniture or children's books. The man clearly likes his canines. About eight years ago, a wild idea came to him shortly after he returned home with his wife and three dogs following a near-fatal illness that left him in a coma for two months. He was inspired to build a non-denominational chapel on his 400-acre mountain-top farm in St. Johnsbury (named "Dog Mountain," naturally), and to style it in the manner of a small village church built in Vermont around 1820. He then opened Dog Chapel to the public. "I look at this chapel as the largest artwork of my life, and my most personal." he says. It looks cool. Woof.
posted by miss lynnster (16 comments total)

Crazy cat lady dog guy?
posted by Foosnark at 4:52 PM on May 29, 2007

Finally, irrefutable proof that there is a Dog.
posted by Kattullus at 4:57 PM on May 29, 2007 [1 favorite]

Oh, he's a little obsessed to say the least... he's channeled it well enough to pay for a 400-acre farm though. Man, I wish my crazy obsessions were half that profitable...
posted by miss lynnster at 5:01 PM on May 29, 2007

Amazing. The volume of work prior to this is impressive enough, but the artistry and dedication shown by the Dog Chapel's existence is astounding.

I see coming back to this whenever I really need to smile.
posted by batmonkey at 5:05 PM on May 29, 2007

Fantastic. The woodcuts from the "illustratons" link are laugh out loud funny and the chapel is incredible. All the best artists build chapels.
posted by fire&wings at 5:16 PM on May 29, 2007

The dog chapel is a lot of fun. A Vermont must-see.
posted by k8t at 5:19 PM on May 29, 2007

It's OK just as long as the dogs don't get a fundamentalist on us. I don't think they will since dogs are better than people.
posted by Eekacat at 5:30 PM on May 29, 2007

Perfectly timed! We are planning our first visit there this weekend. Thanks.
posted by meinvt at 5:40 PM on May 29, 2007

I first learned about this chapel on WCVB's "Chronicle". Too bad they don't have video available online.
posted by ericb at 6:38 PM on May 29, 2007

I hate that such a beautiful labor of love is so tacky. That being said, seeing it reminded me my dog is awesome. From VT, no less.
posted by absalom at 6:55 PM on May 29, 2007

What a sweet place. Great tshirts too.
posted by chance at 7:03 PM on May 29, 2007

Dog Chapel! Reason #1,462 why I am proud to be from Vermont.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 7:57 PM on May 29, 2007

My Karma ran over your Dogma.
posted by Eekacat at 12:42 AM on May 30, 2007

Oh man, those are awesome in that folk-art kind of way. Great find.
posted by malaprohibita at 3:58 AM on May 30, 2007

St. Johnsbury is such a cool town - I hope I get back up there sometime and when I do I am definitely taking my dogs to the chapel. Maybe a little faith will get the younger one to stop tearing up the couch cushions - it's like Lourdes! Only better!
posted by mygothlaundry at 6:32 AM on May 30, 2007

My late father-in-law has a one of his pieces. It's a life-sized nun with a lit-up face. She opens up to reveal a buttload of CDs.

I've been to his gallery. Neat place.
posted by bondcliff at 6:53 AM on May 30, 2007