Historic chapel at Monongahela Cemetery to be renovated
Holly Tonini
Pictured is the rear of the chapel at the Monongahela Cemetery. The open door leads to the crypt.
Holly Tonini
Scott Fredereck, cemetery board member, inspects a room that was once an indoor outhouse.
Holly Tonini
Pictured is the Chapel, built in 1894, located in the Monongahela Cemetery.
Holly Tonini
Pictured is the interior of the chapel at the Monongahela Cemetery.
Holly Tonini
Pictured is the crypt inside the chapel at the Monongahela Cemetery.
The stone chapel sits atop a hill, overlooking the entrance to the Monongahela Cemetery along Country Club Road.
It was built just three decades after the Monongahela Cemetery was founded in 1863.
Now, 122 years after the historic chapel was built, the cemetery board is making plans for its renovation.
The chapel was built in 1895 for $3,525.98. The largest cost was $700 for a pair of stained glass windows in the front of the chapel, which were a tribute to board secretary William Alexander, who died in June 1894 during the construction of the chapel.
Architect Frank Keller designed the chapel in 1894, and it was built by Yohe Brothers in 1895. Keller built a number of buildings in Monongahela before moving to Los Angeles.
His grandson, Frank P. Keller, won the Academy Award for Best Film Editing for the 1968 Steve McQueen film, “Bullitt.”
Jack Cattaneo, vice president/secretary and historian for the Monongahela Cemetery, said the cemetery board plans to reach out to the Keller family to let them know of the plans to renovate the chapel.
“A lot of his buildings have gone by the way side,” Cattaneo said. “So, it’s nice that his chapel survives in all its glory.”
The renovations are expected to cost $150,000.
“We’d like to expand upon its use,” Cattaneo said. “The chapel is there 365 days a year. It should be used for more community activities. Part of the goal is to expand the chapel and its use.”
Cattaneo said the cemetery board plans to make the chapel available for educational programs, as a community center and for theater presentations.
When the chapel was originally built, it did not have a front door. When visitors walked into an open mezzanine, the superintendent’s office was to the right and an indoor outhouse was located to the left. The chapel with seating was in the center.
A fireplace heated the chapel, and there was a potbelly stove in the supervisors’ office. A trap door in front center of chapel led to holding vaults beneath.
The board agreed to renovate the chapel during a May 2015 meeting. The board hired Terry Necciai to conduct a conditional study of the chapel, which outlines what has to be done to restore the chapel.
Fundraising will extend through May 2018. Then, the board will seek bids for the construction. Construction is expected to take two months, including sending the stained glass windows away for repairs.
The glass and steel door leading from the foyer to the chapel will be removed and pocket doors reinstated.
The door of the chapel, which was later added, will be renovated. Other work planned includes replacing the deteriorating asphalt roof with a 100-year-old slate roof to match the original roof, cleaning the stained stone exterior, reopening the fireplace in the service room, removing the ceiling tile throughout and restoring the original wood paneled ceiling in the service room, restoring the stained glass windows to functional state and adding storm windows.
Other work includes installing new lighting throughout the chapel, removing the carpeting throughout and restoring original oak floors, opening and repairing the large sliding entrance door to the service room, installing new HVAC and ductwork, updating the electrical system including breaker panel, repair and replacing all doors, painting and sealing walls and windows throughout, repairing floor joists and finishing and trimming various cabinets.