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Albert's Chapel is like a lighthouse set on a hill beckoning
worshipers and tourists to come and see. But even before the
decision was made to construct the unique octangular building that
became known as Albert's Chapel, Christians had been coming together
to share their faith and witness at this Sand Ridge location.
Albert’s Chapel
is located on Sand Ridge hill in Calhoun County, on the north side
of U.S. Route 33-119 between Millstone and Stumptown, West Virginia.
The church was
named Albert's Chapel in honor of Albert Poling, who became
interested in building the church when he was about twenty-five
years old. Asbury and Matilda Poling deeded the property for the
church and adjacent cemetery to the church on August 21, 1902.
The only circular
house of worship in West Virginia, Albert’s Chapel is often referred
to locally as "the little round church." It is truly a unique
building, built in less than a year, in 1898.
The church is
actually octagonal shaped with eight distinct sides. Various stories
are told as to why the church was built in such an unusual shape.
One story says
Albert and Asbury Poling saw buildings constructed in this manner
during their travels in the Spanish American War.
One local history
book concludes, "The idea to use this peculiar shape was to seat as
many people as possible."
The Poling
family history says, "The design encloses the maximum area with a
minimum of material." In other words, "getting the most for your
money."
Clerissa H.
Tatterson in The History and Genealogy of the Poling Family reports
that the design for the church was taken from Dr. Fowler's book
Human Nature and Christian Perfection.
Local folklore's
version is that the church was built circular so there were no
corners for the devil to hide in - but the chapel has had its share
of troubles.
In the 1950's the
original benches of the church were replaced with seats from the
Kanawha theatre when it closed, and in 1967, new ceiling, paneling,
hardwood floors and pews were added. Furring strips were added
before the paneling could be nailed in place. The center pole was
removed and it became a center aisle church with two sections of
pews instead of the original three. A dedication service for the
remodeled sanctuary on October 1, 1967.
When the church
was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on November
22, 1982, a special ceremony was held at Charleston's Cultural
Center Theatre. The certificate was signed by Governor Jay
Rockefeller.
In 1992, the
church roof began leaking and timbers were placed in the top in an
effort to further preserve the building. By 1995 the interior walls
had begun to buckle and the drop ceiling was pulling apart.
Financial aid
from the state as a nationally registered of historic place was
deemed illegal because of the separation of church and state, but
the congregation voted to rebuild anyway.
With this
restoration, everything was replaced except the floor, pulpit,
altar, and the arch area behind the pulpit. Sheetrock was hung and
wood paneling was used to enhance the appearance of the first three
feet on the interior walls. Furniture and wall decorations were
placed as they had been before the church was dismantled.
Plush carpet was
placed in the center aisle and the area on and around the pulpit.
Central heating and air conditioning were added The exterior walls
were rebuilt in the same design as the original church.
The first
gathering in the “new” church was held in the restored building on
December 24, 1995. Dedication services were held Sunday, June 30,
1996.
After the church
was restored, a picnic shelter was added to the premises. Feel
free to join the congregation on Sunday morning, or stop and visit
the church, perhaps to enjoy a picnic in the shaded pavilion.
Albert’s Chapel has been built and rebuilt by the community
surrounding it, but the original bell hangs in the cupola and calls
worshipers to assemble at 10:00 A.M. each Sunday morning where the
sermon is issued from behind the original pulpit.
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