MT. HOPE CHAPEL

 

     Mt. Hope Chapel was built in 1886, the year Geronimo surrendered to General Miles in Skeleton Canyon, New Mexico.    It was built to replace the original house of worship, known as "The Meeting House," which was destroyed by fire, and stood east of where the Chapel stands now.

     Meeting House Road was so named because of the original house of worship.  

     The Meeting House, in its early days, was supervised by the Quakers, then the Mennonites.  However, the Mennonites, under the supervision of Reverend Noah Mack, became more active at the Welsh Mountain Mission, and less interested in the Chapel.

     At the time Mt. Hope Chapel was built, a young man from the south, Melford Hamilton Hagler, son of a plantation owner, came North to finish his education to become a lawyer.  It was during his last year of schooling that he felt the calling of God  and became more interested in religion than law.  By the time of his graduation he decided to follow his calling, to wherever the Lord wanted him to go.  His travels took him to many places, through many states, working with the under privilege, and the Indian tribes in Oklahoma, where he married a Choctaw Indian maid.  His travel brought him back to Pennsylvania with his young family.  He resided for a time at the Welsh Mountain Mission with the Reverend Noah Mack family.  This was during the time the Mennonites were becoming more active in their Mission and less interested in the Chapel.  They gave their full support to young preacher Hagler, who by this time had been ordained a minister in the Presbyterian church.  

     Mt. Hope Chapel was supported by the Presbyterian church, in association with Cedar Grove Presbyterian and Pequea Presbyterian churches.  Reverend Milford Hamilton Hagler became the Pastor of Mt. Hope Chapel in 1896.  The church flourished under his leadership and guidance until his death in 1933. 

     During the years following the death of Reverend Hagler, the Chapel was used by various church groups starting out or looking for a church home, many times sitting idle for years.  Reverend Hagler's daughter, and then granddaughter, Gladys E. Witman, continued the care and upkeep of the property after his death.

     In September of 1995, Pastor Don Hagen and Mrs. Witman meet to arrange for use of the building to Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, which had started in July of 1991 and was meeting in the Pastor's home.   Mt. Hope Chapel became the home of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.

     When we first moved in there was no water, no sewage system, and not much room in the Chapel for Sunday school classes and other activities.  My how God has bless.  

     I'm sure all those who have had a part in the Chapel, those who have gone on, and those who remain, have always felt a special touch of God's hand on this place.