The Olive Leaf Union Chapel sits on Fritztown Road just beyond Weitzelville and right before you get into Fritztown if traveling toward Lancaster. It is home to the Olive Leaf Sunday School, which has been congregating since July of 1890, previous to this in what the Reading Times described as a “nearby school” in Montello. This was likely the old Conrad Weiser School building which sits just the down road and was at the time a part of the Wilson School District. It was retired as a school in the 1970s and is now home to Juliana’s.

As early as 1912 it was announced that the Olive Leaf Union Sunday School was raising funds to build a chapel. The 6.5 acres on which the chapel was built was donated to the organization in 1928 by W. Harry Orr, former president of the Reading Fair. It would take them over a decade to raise the money; the building cost $25,000 to construct and would be dedicated officially in April of 1930.

Every year since its inception the congregation held a large summer picnic as its main fundraiser. Prior to the Chapel being built it was held at Francis Seidel’s property nearby. Once they obtained the 6.5 acres it became annually held on the grounds in the grove.

The Olive Leaf Union Sunday School still congregates here. Over the course of nearly a century this chapel has been home to plays, concerts, services, dinners and countless other shindigs. Generations of local folks have made it a priority to care for the building and grounds.

This place is special to me because my Grandmother attended Sunday school here as a little girl and it has also been the location of meaningful events including mine and my children’s first birthday parties. They rent out their basement hall and grove for a very reasonable price, so if you are ever looking for a place to host a small event consider this place.