About Our Chapel
St. Paul's chapel dates back to 1794, when a log house was built on the site adjacent to the church. In 1839, the log house was demolished and a brick schoolhouse was erected on the site. Considering German frugality, the logs from the old school were used to build a horse stable, known as the "minister's stable."
The brick schoolhouse was built in the spring of 1839. Jacob Ludwig and Ezekiel Rhoads were the building committee, John Redcay and Samuel Greiner were the carpenters, Godried and William Trexel were the chief masons. The schoolhouse measured 30 feet x 36 feet and cost $950. Upon completion, the school was used for educational purposes until 1869 and after 1880, the basement of the schoolhouse was used by the Amityville Library Association.
In 1889, the schoolhouse was torn down and in July, another brick building was constructed at the same location. This was the first structure built specifically for Sunday School purposes. It was built by the Amityville Union Sunday School with several stipulations:
- Amityville Union Sunday School may build on the church grounds without charge or rent.
- The chapel shall be used only for Sunday School services and activities.
- The congregation shall have a right to hold congregational and vestry meetings.
- The pastors shall have the privilege to conduct their catechetical lecutres in the chapel.
- If the chapel remains unused for Sunday School purposes for one year it shall become the property of the congregations.
- If the congregations at any time want to have the chapel they must allow the School what the chapel cost to build.
- No preaching of any kind shall be permitted in the chapel, except in the case that both congregations and Sunday School unite in consenting.
- So long as the Sunday School uses the chapel for Sunday School purposes, the officers of the congregations shall in no way molest them or interfere with their enjoyment of their rights as granted in this agreement.
The list of contributors toward the brick schoolhouse in 1889 included families who were connected with the congregations in 1839. They are as follows: Ezekiel Rhoads, Jacob Ludwig, Jacob Coleman, David Herner, Henry Herner, Samuel Achey, Dan Knabb, William Rhoads, Jacob Willman, Jacob Deturk, Sam Francis, John Lorah.
The building committee for the chapel consisted of: S.H. Romig (foreman), Harvey V. Reed, H.Y. Harbold, U.P. Heilman. The wall was constructed by John Rhoads and his hands from Freidensburg. In order to offset the cost of the chapel and furniture ($2300), an oyster supper was held in November of 1889. Furthermore, a sewing society of thirty or more women met every Saturday afternoon in private homes near the Sunday School to make garments, quilts, and needlework to sell at the Sunday School fairs.
Unlike many areas at the time, the congregations and the Amityville Sunday School had cordial relations. The Amityville Sunday School Easter Festival was held on March 1888 in the church building. On June 3, 1894 (Children's Day), over 1500 people were in attendance who had arrived in 270 carriages. The various Sunday Schools in the area such as Weavertown, Monocacy, Glendale, and Stonersville participated in this program.
On Good Friday of 1917, the chapel burned down during the night. Trees on the property had been trimmed during the previous day with the brush being burned in piles. The wind picked up during the night and sparks flew into the steeple, igniting bird's nests and the roof. Church members were left with only the piano and books, which were saved by the local undertaker Harvey Van Reed.
Following the fire of 1917, the steeple was enclosed and Sunday School classes resumed, however attendance dropped significantly and it became evident that steps needed to be taken in getting a suitable place to hold services. Committees were appointed for the purpose of finding a different home for the Sunday School and it was decided that a new chapel be built on the site of the old one. The old walls were used to build the present chapel which was erected at a cost of $4500.
The new chapel was equipped with electric lights, heated by a hot air heater, while its spacious kitchen was used for suppers. The new chapel soon became the center of activity for residents in the area. Spring festivals and Easter and Christmas programs all drew large numbers in attendance, providing the Sunday School with a source of revenue.
In the Union Sunday School, officers were both from the Lutheran and Reformed congregations. The respective superintendents had authority on alternate Sundays, these superintendents included: David Ludwig, Charles S. Rhoads, Henry Body, W. Jacob Moser, George Thompson, W.S. Kutz, Alice Kutz, Ida Trainer, Olivia Ehst, Leroy Haas, Herbert Weiss, Marie Kutz.
The first Vacation Bible School of the Union Sunday School was held during the summer of 1953. In the late 1960's, the Sunday School was rented to the Daniel Boone School District while a new school was being built. Although the chapel was no longer used, it continued to be a joint entity until the dissolution of the partnership between the Lutheran and Reformed churches. The final joint service was held on May 25, 1975.
During the annual congregational meeting of St. Paul's United Church of Christ in November of 1995, approval was given for a committee to be formed that would study the future of St. Paul's chapel. The chapel had gone unused for many years and the time had to come to either restore it or demolish it. Harold (Butch) Boyer volunteered to be chairman of the committee along with the following members: Jean Barto, Ken Biles, Nancy Casner, Arlene Hafer, Louise Selwyn, Gary Steppler, Ruth Wiltraut.
Six months later, the committee recommended that the chapel be restored rather than demolish it. At the time, the historical value along with the estimated cost for restoration was $100,000. The chapel was to be restored in three phases as funds became available. On June 6, 1998, a rededication program was held to commemorate the restoration of the Amityville Sunday School chapel.
Chapel Restoration
During the annual congregational meeting of St. Paul's United Church of Christ in November of 1995, approval was given for a committee to be formed that would study the future of St. Paul's chapel. The chapel had gone unused for many years and the time had to come to...read more
About Our Church
The ground on which St. Paul's United Church of Christ is located was part of a tract of land granted by William Penn in 1704 to a Peter Bonn. In 1716, a gentleman named David Hary became the owner of this ground and later sold 99 acres to a John Boyer, while one acre was set aside...read more