The Chapel building was constructed to teach 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, 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 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 for more burial plots.  Attorneys determined that the original land deed was still valid, thus the building was saved from demolition!  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 joined in to scrape, sand and clear the building and work fundraisers. Five scouts  earned Eagle Scout status by building signs, benches, flower beds, a kiosk, and restored the chapel door and iron fence.  Many businesses supported the efforts of the organization.

 

Since then, 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 next capital project encompasses exterior work of the building, air conditioning, restoration of original windows, parking lot and  advanced security system. 

In 2024, the building,  the adjoining cemetery and the town park area were placed on the National and NYS Registries of Historic Places as an historic district.