In the mid 1800’s the village of Mont Alto was a thriving center of Franklin County.  Iron ore was being mined from nearby hills and with water power from the headwaters of East Antietam Creek it was only natural for iron furnaces to be built.  In 1832 there were two forges in operation and a rolling mill was being erected.  This industry brought several families into the area - nearly all furnace owners were of English descent - at one time there were more than 500 workmen - many of these people were of the Anglican faith.  In 1850 Mr. William Hayman and Mrs. N. B. Hughes, both of whom were connected with the Mont Alto Works, started a Sunday School.  Out of this enterprise came the building of the first Episcopal edifice in Pennsylvania west of the Blue Ridge and known as Emmanuel Chapel or the Mont Alto Chapel.  The corner stone for the Chapel was laid 23 June 1854 by the Rev. W. Ayrault of Hagerstown, Washington County in Maryland assisted by Mr. Jones of New York who was acting as Lay Reader at the Chapel.  About five months later, 3 November 1854, Emmanuel Chapel was consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Alonzo Potter, Bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania.  Among the clergy present were:  the Rev. W. Ayrault of Hagerstown, the Re. W. Lapmore of St. James’ college in Maryland, the Rev. Mr. Morse from Carlisle, and the Re. Edward Kennedy who was ordained a priest of the church.  In addition to the ordination two people received the Apostolic rite of Confirmation.  The service lasted some five hours with the Chapel filled to capacity and chairs in the aisle.  While the Rev. Edward Kennedy only remained for five months still he was the first priest to officiate regularly in Franklin Count.  In March 1855 he was called to a church in New Orleans.  The Chapel was vacant until August 1856 when the Rt. Rev. Alonzo Potter, Bishop of Diocese, sent his son Henry Codman Potter to act as Lay Reader for five weeks.  Years later this young man was elected Bishop of New York.  A bust of Bishop Henry C. Potter is at the Chapel.  His wife is buried just to the right of the Chapel entrance and the grave unmarked except for a plain stone cross without an inscription.
 
The Rev. Mr. Getz of Philadelphia arrived in late 1856 to carry on the work.  Six months of it was enough for him.  Really constructive work at Emmanuel Chapel didn’t get under way until January 1856 when William S. Heaton assumed the duties of Lay Reader.  His efforts were well received and a few months later in Altoona he was ordained a deacon.  He remained until September 1860.

About 1859 a man appeared in the area by the name of Isaac Smith.  At first it was believed that he was a prospector getting ready to set operations near by.  He took up residence in Chambersburg but soon was operating a sawmill near Mont Alto.  He explained to the people that the heavy boxes he was receiving were boxes of mining equipment.  He was well known throughout the area as he supplied charcoal to several furnaces.  Though not an Episcopalian he attended Episcopal services in Chambersburg and at the Chapel in Mont Alto.  While leaving a prayer meeting at the Chapel 1 October 1859 he was accused by a young girl of planning an insurrection.  She predicted his death if he went into the South.  Isaac Smith ignored her warning and fifteen days later with his “army” of seventeen whites and five Negroes made his unsuccessful raid on Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.  After his capture by troops under Col. Robert E. Lee and J. E. B. Stuart it was learned that “Isaac Smith” was actually John Brown.  He is reported to have received Holy Communion just before setting out on his unsuccessful raid on Harpers Ferry.  The prieu dieu (kneeling bench or prayer desk) in the Chapel is supposed to have been used by John Brown while attending services in Trinity Church in Chambersburg.  He was executed 2 December 1859.

Just across the stream from the Chapel is a monument of “Captain” John E. Cook who was one of John Brown’s men and was captured near that spot.  Brown’s son Owen, who with four other desperate fugitives made their way back through the mountains from Harpers Ferry to Chambersburg, described Cook as “the quickest and best shot with a pistol I ever saw.”  John Cook was supposed to be trying to buy food at the company store of Mont Alto Furnace when he was recognized and overpowered by Daniel and Hugh Logan.  After arguing unsuccessfully for his release, Cook issued a curse on the two men that they would die violent deaths.  This was fulfilled in a sense and they were both killed in the Southern Army. Cook was jailed in the County seat and later hung 16 December 1859 at Charles Town, West Virginia.  By a strange coincidence the Rev. William S. Heaton was an eyewitness to John Cook’s capture as it took place between his house and the Chapel.  During the Civil War some 20 to 25, 000 Confederate troops under Jubal Early passed through Mont Alto on the way to Gettysburg.  The bell now in the Chapel used to ring at the Caledonia Furnace prior to destruction of the furnace by the invaders.

The Rev. William S. Heaton remained serving the Chapel until September 1860.  He was succeeded in November of that year by the Rev. John Reynolds who remained until 5 April 1863 when he was forced to resign “from the results of a very severe face.”  He was succeeded by the Rev. Charles L. Fischer who remained only until October.

In 1864 Holker Hughes, who was senior warden at the Chapel and a son of Samuel Hughes one of the original owners of the Mont Alto Furnace, sold the entire plant to Isaac S. Waterman, Thomas Beaver, and George B. Wiestling.  The furnace was enlarged to 37 feet high and the output increased from 2 to 3 tons per day to 15 tons.  In 1889 the furnace, foundry, engine rooms with all the machinery, boiler house and all the old patterns were destroyed by fire.  Col. George B. Wiestling in the capacity as president and general manager immediately rebuilt.  He had a deep and sincere regard for the Sabbath Day and for his entire staff.  He went ahead with his plan and for about ten years no iron was made from 10:00 p.m. Saturday to 10:00 p.m. Sunday.  In 1864 Col. Wiestling got permission of the Bishop of the Diocese to use the Chapel for a Union Sunday School.  The school became renowned for its beautiful singing.  Every Sunday the Chapel was crowded to the limit.  Col. George Wiestling was superintendent of the Sunday school until his death in 1891.  The iron works began losing out due to improved facilities in iron making in other areas.  After the abandonment of the iron works and surrounding area, 22,000 acres of mountain land was sold to the States Forestry Commission.  Part of the mountain area had been opened in 1875 as the Mont Alto Park, a pleasure resort.

During the period of the Civil War there was tremendous unrest and a general unsettled state of affairs.  Clergy came and went rather rapidly.  The Rev. Charles L. Fisher remained only a few months.  He was succeeded by the Rev. J. H. Hobart Millett of New York in November 1864.  He remained only until the 27th of November 1865 when he left for a church in Harrisburg.  Mr. J. B. Hill of Philadelphia held services from August to December 1866.  Many of the Clergy at the Chapel carried on missionary work in nearby Chambersburg and Waynesboro.  The work took hold in Chambersburg with the erection of Trinity Church in 1870.  St. Mary’s Church in Waynesboro was organized in 1898.  In the meantime there was a slump in activity at the Chapel.  When the Mont Alto Furnace shut down in 1893 the Chapel also closed its doors.  It reopened briefly in 1908 when the Rev. John Costello took charge form 29 November 1908 to 14 November 1909.  The Rev. Alfred E. Race, Rector of Trinity Church in Chambersburg, assumed a degree of supervision of the Chapel but he only remained in the area until November 1911.

In January 1926 the Rev. Alun  A. Hughes arrived from St. Paul’s Church in Manheim and took up joint duties as Chaplain of the Sanitarium in South Mountain and priest in charge of Emmanuel Chapel in Mont Alto.  Prior to his coming only an occasional service had been held in the Chapel.  The building was in a deplorable state - windows were broken and the door unlocked and open giving easy access to any mischievous kids in the neighborhood. Plaster had fallen off the walls in several places, areas in the flooring were badly rotted as well as the door.  In short, the Chapel was in such poor condition as to make it unfit for services.  Fortunately the Rev. Alun A. Hughes had both patience and a vision and set about restoring the old edifice.  He began holding services in one of the buildings of the Forestry School which is part of the Pennsylvania State University, and had an average attendance of 50 students.  Also, he began collecting funds from interested friends which enabled him to start a restoration program in the summer of 1927.  A new chapel floor was laid and a used Altar from St. John’s Church in Huntingdon was obtained.  The holes in the walls were plastered and after the old green kalsomine was washed off the walls they were given three coats of buff paint.  The Chapel was wired for the first time and electric fixtures installed.  Also, the outside woodwork was painted.  The bust of Bishop Henry Potter - formerly of an unattractive gray color - was bronzed by Ll Ewelyn Charles Bevan one of the patients at the South Mountain Sanitarium.  A new heater was placed in the Chapel.

As was very fitting after all of these renovations the Chapel was re-dedicated on Tuesday 11 October 1927 by the Rt. Rev. Arthur.  G.W. Pfaffko, Vicar of Blue Ridge Summit and Waynesboro.  The sermon was preached by an old friend of Bishop Potter’s, the Rev. George Francis Nelson, Canon of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.  The Rev. Alun A. Hughes served as the Bishop’s Chaplain and Master of Ceremonies.  The Chapel was host the same day to the Archdeaconry of Harrisburg.  It was a beautiful day and the Chapel was filled to capacity with extra chairs in the sanctuary and in the aisle.  Even at that a great number of people were obliged to stand outside.  After the service the congregation lunched on the lawn around the Chapel.  During the afternoon session of the Archdeaconry the Rev. Paul S. Atkins of St. John’s Church in York was elected the Archdeacon.  Following the Archdeaconry meeting three persons received the sacrament of Confirmation.

In spite of the cold weather the Vicar, the Rev. Alun A. Hughes had the joy of seeing the chapel filled to overflowing once again.  The occasion was what they hoped would be the first annual Founder’s Day service in memory of Dr. Joseph Trimble Rothrock who was the founder of the State Forest School and the South Mountain Sanitarium.  The date was Sunday the 13th of November 1927.  So large was the attendance that some fifty people had to remain standing outside.  Dr. Edwin A. Zeigler, Director of the State Forestry School and George Wirt, Chief Forester of the Department of Forest and Waters took part in the service.  The sermon was preached by the Rev. Archibald M. Judd the Executive Secretary of the Diocese of Harrisburg.  After a lapse of some 62 years the first Episcopal Baptism occurred 15 January 1928.  John Harford Auten, son of Professor and Mrs. John Thompson Auten was baptized and two of the sponsors were members of the faculty of the State Forest school.  Once again it is reported the Chapel was filled to capacity for the impressive service.  The Bishop of the Diocese, the Rt. Rev. James Henry Darlington blessed a handsome hand-etched brass Altar Cross which had been presented by the congregation of the Chapel of Christ the Great Physician in South Mountain.  Also blessed were a pair of brass candlesticks given by Mrs. Richard M. H. Wharton of Harrisburg in memory of her mother Sarah Gilmer Coleman, and lectern presented by Miss Emelin Knox Parker.

The Rev. Alun A. Hughes continued to serve both the Chapel at the South Mountain Sanitarium and the Mont Alto Chapel until 1937 when the Rev. Robert T. McCutchen took up the duties.  Among the Lay Readers who assisted Father McCutchen were Charles D. Wade from 1937 through 1949 and Benjamin V. Lavey who later studied for Holy Orders.  The Venerable Robert T. McCutchen living at South Mountain served both chapels for many years.  In 1949 after his retirement as Rector of Trinity Church in Chambersburg the Rev. George David Graeff moved to a home in nearby Caledonia and took up the duties of the two chapels.  The work at South Mountain continued without interruption but at Emmanuel Chapel it was more sporadic.  Professor Chester Corsen of the Pennsylvania State University Forestry School faculty served as Lay Reader and attempted to keep services going.  Once again the trend moved more toward making the Chapel interdenominational.  Clergy from various churches had a hand in conducting services from time to time.  Roman Catholic services were held in the Chapel for the students on the nearby campus.

In 1963 the Rev. Stanley F. Imboden, Rector of St. Mary’s Church in Waynesboro started taking an active interest in the Chapel.  Chester Corsen worked closely with Father Imboden and together they were able to interest the St. Mary’s mens group in donating both money and work hours.  Part of the flooring which was badly rotted was replaced by the men.  They obtained a gas heater for the Chapel and a green dossal curtain for the Altar.  Had Father Imboden remained in Waynesboro longer much more would have been accomplished.

In 1963 the Pennsylvania State University decided to expand with other satellite campuses and to be referred to as a Commonwealth Campus.  In 1969 the first class under the two year plan of liberal arts courses arrived on the campus.  At about the same time as this expansion was being thought of the Bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg, the Rt. Rev. Dean Theodore Stevenson requested the Rev. William Parker Neal, Rector of Trinity Church in Chambersburg to take on the added duties of looking after Emmanuel Chapel.  With the expansion of the Mont Alto campus of Pennsylvania State University and increase expected in student enrollment it seemed like an opportune time for Emmanuel Chapel to come to life.  Accordingly in September 1967 a schedule was set up whereby a service would be conducted in the Chapel every Sunday afternoon at 4 o’clock.  The response was slow and handicaps manifold.  Some 37 panes of glass had to be replaced.  The old organ was beyond repair and so Father Neal started searching for a new organ.  Through the efforts of the Rev. Peter Greenfield of Hershey an organ was obtained from Hilltown, Pennsylvania.  The organ bears the following plate:  “In 1937 while Ralph Kinder was organist at St. Thomas Church in Whitemarsh, he arranged for the purchase of the reed organ at $15.00 a month, to be used while a new organ was being installed.  In February 1938, it was transferred to Advent Church, Hatboro, along with the monthly obligation which was taken over by the new congregation.  In 1954, Advent Church learned from the Rev. Mr. Nathaneal B. Groton that the recently started
mission of Good Shepherd in Hilltown was in need of such an organ.  It was given to this new church with no payments to make -- just a generous “come and get it.”  It is now being presented to Emmanuel Chapel in Mont Alto with the hope that it will not be sold, but freely presented to the next church in need.”  It has helped greatly with the services.  Organists have been volunteers from among the student body and towns people.

An attempt was made to determine the pattern of the colored glass in the two windows on either side of the Altar.  Acrylic paint was obtained and the glass in the windows painted, maintaining the original pattern and resembling colored glass.  One of the first things Father Neal did was to paint the outside of the Chapel door a flaming red to attract attention and to let everyone know that the Chapel was alive.  An Episcopal Church sign was erected from the Diocese and all of the outside stonework was repointed at a cost of $4, 200.00.  The outside woodwork was repainted and also the entire interior of the Chapel was given two coats of paint - a very light green shade as green is the Forestry School color.  The members of the Diocesan Altar Guild have made and presented to the Chapel a Jacobean style Altar frontal and falls for the lectern and the pulpit, plus linens for the Altar. Mrs. Henry Chisman, wife of the Director of the Mont Alto Campus, donated landscaping along the front of the Chapel.  The campus maintenance men keep the grass cut and also do many tasks for the Chapel.  While nothing spectacular has taken place still there is a marked growth in student interest and a congregation of people living in the area is increasing.  Visitors often comment on the unique atmosphere the Chapel presents and say that they almost look for people to appear dressed in hoop skirts and all.  It is a delightful Chapel and should have a bright future tied in as it is with the growth of the Mont Alto campus of Pennsylvania State University.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 Petition of the Incorporated Trustees of the Diocese of Harrisburg to take, administer, hold and dispose of the title of the Rector, Church Wardens and Vestrymen of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Pennsylvania (at Mont Alto).
 

In the Court of Common Pleas of Franklin County, miscellaneous Docket No. K, Page 236

This petition recited the conveyance above noted from Holker Hughes to the Rector, Church Wardens and Vestrymen and describes the property as described in that deed.
Recites that there was a Church erected upon said property which has become inactive and extinct by reason of there being no resident or active trustees representing it.
Prays that the Incorporate Trustees of the Diocese of Harrisburg be permitted to take, administer and hold the title to said property in accordance with the Act of June 5, 1913., 435, as amended by the Act of May 17, 1921, P.L. 861.
January 4, 1926, petition presented and rule granted on all persons interested to show cause against same.
On February 15, 1926, Final degree as follows:
Proof of publication of the rule to show cause having been made and the rule matter having come on to be heard, and it appearing to the Court that the individual Church board or agency of the Protestant Episcopal Church known as the Rector, Church Wardens and Vestrymen of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Pennsylvania at Mont Alto, and otherwise known as the Rector, Church Wardens and Vestrymen of the Mt. Alto Church, has become inactive or extinct by reason of no resident or active trustees or body cooperate representing it, and the property described in the petition is liable to be wasted or destroyed, and it appearing to the Court that the Incorporate Trustees of the Diocese of Harrisburg in the appropriate Board or agency representative of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Harrisburg, it is ordered and decreed that the said Incorporated Trustees of the Diocese of Harrisburg shall take, administer, hold and dispose of the title of the property said.

By the Court, Watson R. Davidson, P.J.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Copy of Deed for land on which Emmanuel  Chapel in Mont Alto stands:

This indenture, made the 12th day of May in the year of our Lord 1857 between Holker Hughes of Quincy Township, Franklin County and the State of Pennsylvania of the one part of the Rector, Church Wardens and Vestrymen of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Pennsylvania (at Mont Alto) of the other part.

Witnesseth that the said Holker Hughes for and in consideration of the sum of One Dollar lawful money of the State aforesaid to him in hand paid by the said Rector, Church Wardens and Vestrymen of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Pennsylvania at and before the ensaeling and delivery hereof the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, has granted, bargained and sold, aliened, enfeoffed and confirmed and by these presents does grant, bargain and sell, alien, enfeoff and confirm unto the said Rector, Church Warden and Vestrymen of the said Protestant Episcopal Church of Pennsylvania, their successors and assigns all the following described lot or parcel of land lying and being situated at Mont Alto Furnace, Quincy Township, Franklin County & State of Pennsylvania, being bound and limited as follows, viz: Beginning at a stake, thence north seventy degrees west, twenty perches to a stake, thence north twenty degrees east eight perches to a stake, thence north twenty east twenty perches to a stake, thence south twenty degrees west eight perches to the place of beginning, containing one acre neat measure.  The same being part of a larger tract of land by divers good conveyances and assurances in law and duly had become vested in the said Holker Hughes party hereto.

In Testimony Whereof the said Holker Hughes hath hereunto set his hand and affixed his seal the day & year first above written.

Sealed and delivered
in the presence of
 C.D. Fitz Hughes      Holker Hughes (seal)
 Geo. W. Toms

Received on the day of the date of the above Indenture of the therein named Rector, Church Wardens and Vestrymen of the said Protestant Episcopal Church the sum of on dollar in full for the consideration money afore-mentioned.

        Holker Hughes

     Witness:
C.D. Fitz Hughes

Pennsylvania Franklin County, S.S.:
Before me, a Justice of Peace in & for said County personally appeared Holker Hughes and acknowledged the above Indenture to be their act and deed and expressed a desire that the same as such be lawfully recorded. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seals this twelfth day of May A.D. 1857

        Geo. W. Toms
 
 
 
 
 
 

The above deed is recorded in Franklin County in Deed Book 32 page 297.
 
 

List of names of the first parishioners of Emmanuel Chapel in Mont Alto

Mrs. N. B. Hughes
Miss Annie FitzHugh
William Hayman
Mrs. Chalotte Babler
Holker Hughes
C.D. FitzHugh
Ruth Hollett
Susan Bumbaugh
Mary Myers
F. Strong Wilson
Harry Hughes
Samuel Hughes
David Bumbaugh
James Lafferty
John Bumbaugh
Mrs. Sara Bumbaugh
Mrs. Barbara Bumbaugh
Hannah A. Freeman
Mary M. Prim
George McFerran
Alfred Underwood
Julia Ann Underwood
Mrs. J. J. Mott
Miss F. H. Mott
N. B. Hughes

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