Chestnut Ridge and Schellsburg Union Church and Cemetery
Also known as: Old Log Church and Cemetery
Why it's listed
Built in 1806 of hewn oak logs on Chestnut Ridge west of Schellsburg, the Union Church was erected by subscription for use by both Reformed and Lutheran congregations, and its pulpit, raised on a single octagonal post, and balcony survive from the early years. Its walls were clad in weatherboard in 1881 and the cladding was removed in 1936, restoring the exposed logs. The church stopped regular services around 1852, and in 1860 the Chestnut Ridge and Schellsburg Union Cemetery Association was incorporated to manage the church and graveyard. The adjoining cemetery holds the graves of hundreds of area residents, including veterans of the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War and the Civil War, and its tombstones show traditional carving in German and English. The nomination regards the building as one of few intact log churches in the county and as a link to early settlement of the region.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the church is a well-preserved and distinctive example of early nineteenth-century log architecture, retaining its original site and largely unaltered interior. It also cites the church's role in the early settlement of south-central Pennsylvania and the age of the cemetery, where pioneers including John Schell are buried.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 04001482, listed January 12, 2005. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | US 30, Napier Township |
|---|---|
| County | Bedford County |
| Listed | January 12, 2005 |
| Reference number | 04001482 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1806-1860 |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Exploration/Settlement |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The church is no longer in regular use and the burial ground remains in use. |
| Acreage | 7 |
| Coordinates | 40.04763, -78.65603 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 04001482.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5093986
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.