The Chapel building was constructed to teach public school age children about temperance from alcohol, and the pitfalls of its usage and to offer non sectarian Sunday services to the public. 

 

The project was led by the District One (1) school superintendent Robert Johnson, and 27 community members. The land was donated by Charles. H. Herendeen with a clause in the deed that read, “If the building was no longer used for community purposes” then the land would revert back to his family of heirs. The wording of the deed is still in effect today.

 

Construction began in 1882 as funds allowed.  Upon completion in 1889, the building was ready for use. School age children were taught from a new textbook written by Dr. Mary Hunt, about the psychological and physiological effects of alcohol on the body. The book was the precursor to the first science textbook for young children. Temperance classes ended after the end of prohibition in 1932. Services continued.  

 

A dedication of the building was held in 1895, when land owner Mary (Herendeen) Mason donated it to the newly incorporated South Farmington Friends Cemetery Association. It remained in use until the early 2000s.

 

In 2015, the building was damaged and destabilized by a tornado when it passed through the cemetery grounds, and rendered the building unsafe. The New York State Department of Cemeteries suggested removing the building to make room for much needed burial plots.  Surveyors discovered the original land deed. After investigating  the legalities of the deed, it was determined that the wording was still valid since heirs of the family still existed.  In 2017,  a grassroots committee of nine people formed the 501(c) 3 non-profit South Farmington Friends Cemetery Association to seek funds necessary to preserve the historic building. Volunteers from the community, local high schools, Boy Scouts and several businesses joined in to help scrape, sand and clear the building of debris. 

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In 2024, the chapel, cemetery and small town park were placed on the National and NYS Registries of Historic Places as a historic district.

 

Made possible through a series of grants from the Daughters of the American Revolution, Rochester Action Community Foundation, Lyons National Bank, Ontario County and many generous donors, a three phase capital project was completed in Spring of 2025. The building has been updated with heat, lights, roof, water/septic system, ADA restroom and ramp, and a kitchenette.  The building was open to the public in May 2025 .

 

The next generation of a capitol project  includes exterior work of the building, air conditioning, restoration of original windows, advanced security system.

 

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