When we started our restoration project we did so with the idea it would take us five years to have the process completed.  In May, 1996, we were given approval to proceed with our plans.  In Feb.,1997 we started the actual working on the chapel.  Much to our surprise and pleasure, on New Year's eve of that same year a wedding was held in the chapel!  The committee asked the bride's father for permission to attend and we did so, beaming with pride at what we had accomplished.  Afterwards we celebrated at a party at the chairman's home.

The chapel dates back to 1794, when a log house was build on the site next to the church.  In 1839 the log house was demolished and a brick school house was erected on the site.  With the usual German frugality, the logs from the old school were used to build a horse stable, known as the "minister's stable."

The brick school house was built inn the spring of 1839.  Jacob Ludwig and Ezekiel Rhoads were the building committee.  John Redcay and Samuel Greiner were the carpenters.  Godfried and Wm. Trexel were the chief masons.  The Sunday School was 30ft.x36ft. and cost $950.00.  After it was completed there was a debt of $350.00 which was gradually paid off.  In this building school was also kept until 1869 when the public school house on the hill was built.  After 1880 the basement was used by the Amityville Library Association.

In 1889 this building was torn down and, beginning in July of that year, another brick building was built at the same location.  This was the first structure built specifically for Sunday School purposes.  This building was built by the Amityville Union Sunday School with several stipulations; 

     - The Sunday School may build on the church grounds without charge or rent.

     - The chapel shall be used only for Sunday School services and activities, such as festivals, as the Sunday School sees fit.

     - The congregations shall have a right to hold congregational and vestry meetings in the chapel as deemed necessary.

     - The pastors shall have the privilege to conduct their catechetical lectures 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 both congregations and Sunday School unite in consenting.

     - That 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 them in the enjoyment of their rights as granted in this agreement.

The list of contributors towards the brick school house in 1889 included families who were connected with the congregations, in 1839.  They were; Ezekiel Rhoads, Jacob Ludwig, Jacob Coleman, David Herner, Henry Herner, Samuel Achey, Dan Knabb, Wm. Rhoads, Jacob Willman, Jacob Deturk, Sam Francis, and John Lorah.

The building committee for this chapel consisted of; S.H. Romig, Harvey V. Reed, H.Y. Harbold, and U.P. Heilman.  Mr. Romig was foreman.  The wall was put up by John Rhoads and his hands from Freidensburg.  The cost of the chapel and furniture was about $2300.00.  In November 1889 an oyster supper was held for the benefit of the chapel.  The first Sunday School session in the new building was held on May 11, 1890.

During this time a sewing society met every Saturday afternoon in private homes near the Sunday school to make garments, quilts, and needlework to sell at the Sunday school fairs which were held in the spring.  Usually thirty or more women participated in this activity.

Unlike in many areas in those days the congregations and the Amityville Sunday School from the very beginning must have had cordial relations.  The Amityville Sunday School Easter Festival was held on Easter Sunday evening, March 1888 in the church building.  On Children's Day, June 3, 1894, there were 1500 persons in attendance, arriving in 270 carriages.  The various Sunday Schools in the area such as Weavertown, Monocacy, Glendale, and Stonersville paricipated in this program.

In 1917, on Good Friday, this chapel burned during the night.  Trees on the property had been trimmed during the previous day, piling the brush and burning it.  The wind picked up during the night and sparks flew into the steeple, igniting bird nests and then the roof.  The members were left with only the piano and the books, which were saved because the local undertaker, Harvey Van Reed, brought this "body wagon" to use for removing the books from the burning building.  Horace Harbold was the superintendent at this time.

After the fire the steeple was enclosed, to keep out the nesting birds, just as it is today.

Sunday school services were held in the church but attendance dropped due to discouragement as a result of the fire.  It soon became evident that steps needed to be taken to get a suitable place to hold services. 

With the completion of the new building the spirit of the Sunday school was revised and attendance increased.  Within two years the enrollment was over 200 and the debt was $2000.00.

The new Sunday school was equipped with electric lights throughout and had a private primary department.  The basement, having a large dining room and spacious kitchen, was used for holding suppers.  The building was heated by an under feed hot air heater.

Through the following years the Sunday school continued to be the center of activity for the residents of the area.  The spring festival was a good source of revenue for the Sunday school, with participation as well as attendance being very good.  Donations collected at the festival always paid for the entertainment, the Pottstown Band.

Easter and Christmas programs were the highlight of activity for the children, but enjoyed by everyone.

During World War II the basement of the chapel was used to distribute stamps for the purchase of gasoline, shoes, and sugar.

In this union Sunday school there were officers of both Lutheran and Reformed congregations.  The respective superintendents had charge on alternate Sundays according to the schedule of church services.  David Ludwig was the first superintendent of this chapel, who also would lead the singing with his beautiful voice.  Charles S. Rhoads was the next one and held that position for many years.  Other superintendents included; Henry Body, W. Jacob Moser, George Thompson, W.S. Kutz, Alice Kutz, Ida Trainer, Olivia Ehst, Leroy Haas, Herbert Weiss, and Mrs. Marie Kutz.

The first Vacation Bible School of the Union Sunday School was held during the summer of 1953, the 200th anniversary year of St. Paul's Church, Amityville.

The chapel attendance continued to grow as did the community and after using every available space for classrooms, with an enrollment of 400 persons in 1964, the joint congregations built an addition to the church for Sunday School purposes.  Historically, the good people of Amityville have been found willing and eager to expand it's educational and worship facilities to meet the needs of the day being served.

In the late 60's the Sunday school was rented to the Daniel Boone School for classroom space while a new school was being built.

Even though no longer being used the chapel continued to be a joint entity until the dissolution of the partnership of the Lutheran and Reformed churches took place by the Lutheran congregation moving into their new church, recently built along route 662, near Douglassville.  The final joint church service of the two congregations was held on May 25, 1975.

In May 1978, the Alpha Omega Players, a community group of talented, young, stage players began practicing their shows in the chapel.  They did so until the restoration project began in 1996.  The area boy scout troops also used the chapel for their meetings during this time period.

On June 6, 1998, a program of re-dedication was held to commemorate the restoration of the Amityville Sunday School Chapel.  We did so with prayers of thanksgiving for what the chapel was, what it is, and what it will continue to be in the future.