Sylvan Beach Union Chapel on Park Avenue is open for its 134th summer season.
Non-denominational services are 10 a.m. Sundays. For more information, contact the church at 315-245-1454. Upcoming of ministers is as follows:
Aug. 22: Rev. Phyllis Kitchen, Retired Hecla United Congregational
Aug. 29: Rev. Bradley Keator, Chenango Christian Church, Norwich
Sept. 5: Rev. Robert Wollaber, St Paul’s United Methodist, Oneida
Sept. 12: Humble Men’s Choir, Fulton
Sept. 19: Rev. David Schellhase, Lutheran , Verona Beach
The chapel, which was built in 1887, has had continuous summer services throughout the years. The chapel sides were originally raised by pulleys to accommodate the large crowds that came to spend time at the beach.
In August of 1909, four passenger trains arrived from NYC at the Oneida Station and the crowds of people were transported on the O and W to Sylvan Beach. Some of the 4,000 summer visitors attended services at the chapel and crowed around the perimeter of the church to listen to the sermon.
Sylvan Beach Union Chapel has been placed on the Federal and State historical registry. Chapel board members and trustees meet each year to continue plans for the chapel’s future.