A HALLMARK CHRISTMAS IN WAYNEDALE
We Waynedalers can identify with that tone poem because we have our very own antiquated tiny Prairie Grove Chapel – a quaint white-frame church complete with small cemetery and outhouse – on Old Trail Road.
Once in full swing, the approximately 150-year old small white building lapsed into disuse about 20 years ago. During the purgatory between then and now, the church suffered a fire, and only recently has become a newly-functioning Phoenix rising from the ashes, thanks to Deeds of Compassion, headed by Glenn Ellenberger, who got the ball rolling.
Though the work on the church is far from complete, Glenn was quick to share the credit with others who have contributed/are continuing to contribute funds, time, and talents toward restoring this building which was built pre-Civil War days.
“The donations we received were very much appreciated, and will pay for the continued restoration and for the monitoring of the alarm system that was donated by the Fort Wayne Area Association of Realtors,” said Glenn, adding, “Many people and businesses gave much to make this all happen. Thanks to them and to the Board of the Prairie Grove Cemetery and to the many people who came to lift their voices. I shall never forget this experience.”
“Legacy Heating in Waynedale donated and installed a furnace and cooling/air conditioning system. South Side Floor Service LLC is donating their time and materials to the inside of the chapel, Roger and Jane Franklin are among the many volunteers, as is Dave Umber who handed out the tickets for the holiday church services.”
Editor’s note: Due to space reasons, we are not able to list everyone who had a hand in the restoration, but we are all very grateful for your help. Additionally, some volunteers wished anonymity, preferring not even to have their pictures taken.
According to Dave Umber, Bruce Griffin was the one who alerted him to the project.
“With Bruce’s heads-up and our being in Waynedale so long, I knew that we needed to support that endeavor as much as we could,” explained Dave who owns Umber’s Ace Hardware.
“Also, a great many people stopped in my store to get parts and pieces for the fix-up, and I would like to give accolades to everyone involved in the re-do of the chapel and also to all the people who supported it by visiting it during the Christmas season – the response was awesome!”
The chapel opened to near capacity for several interdenominational Christmas candlelight evening services last month, and CDs and live music (guitar, voice, keyboards) rang through the night air as the best of the past was brought back into Waynedale. Tom Bandor and Susan Stalhut from Pathway church did the music for five of the services and were “absolutely unbelievable,” said Glenn, adding that other fantastic musicians included Kent Scantlin, Sonya Wheatcraft and Melissa Huffman.
Pastors who preached last month included now-retired Bruce Griffin (of Legacy Heating who was also the last preacher to preach at the chapel 20 years ago), Don Wisman from Aldersgate UM Church, Ralph Scantlin from Northside Missionary Church (his son Kent is also a pastor there), and Joe Simpson, Jr. from Branches of Christ Church.
The bathroom-less church and cemetery, dating back to pre-Civil War days are accompanied by an outhouse, which, according to Glenn, will, be restored and preserved, but no longer used.
“It is locked now. We may add an iron fence around it as well. We want it to be seen but not used,” said Glenn, “and the idea I have presented to the board is to build a pavilion-looking structure that could be enclosed on one end. In that end you could install a restroom that would be available to whoever was using the chapel. The other end could be open and feature a picnic table or two. It could serve as a place for people to gather after a funeral, or as something to go along with the chapel, if needed. It would not always be open for the general public to use. They are considering my proposal.
“One more thing – a great big thanks to the Bluffton Road firefighters for getting the fire out and saving the chapel. From the looks of the fire there must have only been minutes before the chapel would have been completely destroyed.”
The wooden floors need to be finished, the windows, front door and exterior moldings replaced and various other tasks need to be done before the chapel is finally completed, said Glenn who estimates it will take a year before that goal is reached.
“As for the future, we don’t want to have one group in the church all the time. It would become their church after awhile and others may become reluctant to ask to use it. I’d like to see it be open for the community to use for weddings and funerals and holiday services. Christmas services would be a great tradition to continue.”
Glenn, a Waynedale resident from the age of five, left when he married Cindy Gerardot in 1969.
“However, my mother Phyllis Ellenberger and my brother Garth are still residents here. Cindy’s parents Wilmer and Eileen Gerardot are Waynedale residents, also,” said Glenn, who started Deeds of Compassion just after Hurricane Katrina, with the intention of working mostly with seniors.
Any lighter moments in the restoration project?
“It was fun ringing the bell to start the services,” admitted Glenn. “I enjoy looking for old chapels when traveling. It’s a treat to be able to see inside one of them but it’s hard to top being able to actually participate in a service at one.”
Glenn invites readers who want more information or a requested use of the chapel to contact him at 260-760-7194, or email him at Glenn@GlennEllenberger.com, putting “Prairie Grove” in the subject line. Donations could be sent to Prairie Grove Chapel/6312 Old Trail Road/Fort Wayne, IN 46809. Be sure to note that the donation is for the chapel restoration.
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