Early settlers of the Monroe Valley, three miles northeast of Lickdale, now Swatara Township, Lebanon County, erected a small one story, field stone structure 22 feet by 33 feet, to serve as their place of worship. The best information available would indicate the Chapel was built between 1760 and 1800. It is most likely that the Moravians were the first to worship in this Chapel. The building ser
ved a dual purpose: first it was used as a church; later a partition was placed half way between the front and rear and the rear section was then used as a school room. Around the mid 1800's two local school houses were build, one in the east end and the other in the west end of the Valley. After this, the partition was removed and the building was used solely as a chapel. The pulpit was located inside the door to the right of the center aisle. It was said that after the Lutherans took over, the pulpit was moved to the other end of the room. A large wood burning stove stood in the center to provide heat. The 1869 Business Directory of Lebanon County lists this church as the Monroe Valley Meeting House. The last known minister was a Reverend Owen Reber and/or a Reverand Griesz of the Lutheran Faith. He was there from 1911 to 1917. A large community burial ground exists on the west, north and east sides of the church building. As of now 20 graves have been identified by names and dates. It is possible that up to 150 graves may be on these grounds, including several persons that may have been killed by the Indians. Some of the old, German script tombstones remain. Many were destroyed by squatters who occupied the building and grounds from 1940 through the 1970's. A local resident, who attended church services in the chapel, told us that the last three squatters who occupied the Chapel and parked their trailers on the grounds, committed su***de. All three within the same year. The plot of ground, about an acre, was original donated by a Mr. Fisher, a local farmer. Eventually the property was over grown with briars, ivy poison and underbrush. Trees were growing inside the building and had fallen all around the property. It was difficult to recognize this Historic Chapel and Cemetery. The roof and most of the 24 inch thick stone walls had collapsed. It was our sincere desire to clean up the grounds preserve the remaining grave markers and restore and preserve whatever portion of the Chapel that we could, within available resources. Historical research is ongoing to determine further details of the Monroe Valley Chapel. This valley was settled by German Immigrants in the early 1700's . Many local residents were killed by the fierce Indians that came through the "hole", better known today as Swatara Gap. Dr. Eyle, author of History of Dauphin and Lebanon Counties, 1882, relates to these atrocities. This Chapel was the only place of worship in this four mile long valley. It is very likely that this small Chapel was first started as a Moravian Mission. The Moravians did have a two story church and pastor residence in 1743, several miles south and across the mountain. The Moravians also had assisted a Lutheran Congregation several miles north of the mountains in the mid 1750's. If it is a fact that graves exist here of persons killed by the Indians, then the Chapel would have possibly been built in the early 1760's. Dr. Eyle, in his aforementioned history states that the last fierce Indians were in this area in 1763. The former Luthern Ministerium of Pennsylvania, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was the owner of this property. Church records do exist for the years 1841-1901. The historic Preservation Trust of Lebanon County purchased this property in 1976. Lack of funds prevented the Trust from undertaking a restoration program. Students, along with their teachers, from the Northern Lebanon School District and with the help of local tradesmen and residents, undertook the project to restore the Chapel. The project was completed in 2002. This small historic Chapel is again a place of pride and respect in the Monroe Valley. The Chapel is available fro weddings and community events. A Christmas Program is held the first weekend in December at 7 PM on Saturday and 2 PM on Sunday. The Friends of Monroe Valley Chapel was formed to preserve and perpetuate this historic property. For more information, or to use the Chapel, please write to P.O. Box 422, Fredericksburg, PA 17026. This information has been complied by Francis W. Ditzler for the Friends of Monroe Valley Chapel. Additions and/or corrections to this information would be appreciated.
