History of the Jalapa Chapel Building
The building now housing Jalapa Chapel was built in 1891 and dedicated that fall. Prominent family names listed at the dedication, who either contributed finances or labor for the building of the church were: York, Bechtel, Brown, Neff, Julian, Nichols, Dooley, Blackman, White, Guerin, Spears, Dibble, Bloomer, Lawson, Scott, Minnick, Gilbreth, Roberts, McIlwain, Hendricks, Conner, Snyder, Veach, Painter, Stevens, Dawson, Sherman, Renbarger, Winger, and Coffman.
The first wedding in the church building took place in 1892 with two funerals being held that year as well. In the 1940's, a full basement was dug beneath the church and in 1948, a parsonage was built a couple of blocks to the southwest. A fire in the church in 1954 required redecoration, refinishing, and the installation of a new furnace and made it necessary to hold services at the nearby Hendricks School for a month while repairs were made.
In the early 1970's, updating and redecorating of the interior of the building was done and the earlier pews and pulpit were replaced by those currently in the building. The old pews are gone but the antique pulpit, now in restored condition, remains a prized feature of the chapel. The building remained virtually unchanged from the 1970's until the fall/winter/spring of 2006/2007 when maintenance repairs, minor renovations, and redecoration were provided by the current owners.
With the exception of the basement, the church building is unchanged from its original size. Pink and green stained glass windows, early church style features, and careful lawn care and landscaping continue to make this building one of quaint and simple beauty for the use and glory of God.