Union Chapel History

A Brief History of Union Chapel United Methodist Church

The earliest record of formal Christian worship in the Nora area is found in the Minutes Book for the Allisonville Circuit of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of 1827, which met in the Purcel Log School Building, located near 86th Street and Manderly Drive.

A church building was erected in 1864 on the site of the 1822 Whitinger Burial Ground on a bluff overlooking the White River. The Whitinger deed had restrictions requiring that all denominations could use the building, thus the name Union Chapel. It was used by Quaker, Lutheran, and other Christian denominations, but the predominant services were held by Methodist Episcopal ministers.

When the area became suburban in the late 1940's and early 1950's, it became apparent that the early building was inadequate and so the congregation purchased a five acre tract at the northwest corner of East 86th Street and Haverstick Road.

The new building was consecrated in 1954. By 1958 an education wing was added. Today, Union Chapel United Methodist Church continues to serve the Nora community is the same spirit of worship and service as has been its practice since 1827.

Visit us soon, as we serve together.