The former Sanatoga Union Sunday School

By Beth Scherer
of the Lower Pottsgrove Historical Society,
for The Sanatoga Post

SANATOGA PA – During more than 100 years of commercial and residential growth along East High Street in Sanatoga village, one of its earliest and most enduring features has been an unassuming and quaint brick chapel.

East High is a bustling thoroughfare today, filled with businesses like Pottstown Memorial Medical Center, Sunnybrook, CVS, Thriftway, K-mart, Sanatoga Fire Company, The Silver Shoppe, Cutillo’s, Sanatoga Animal Hospital, Sanatoga Corporation, Hill Top, and Turkey Hill. They’re accompanied by a couple of shopping centers, numerous doctor offices, other small businesses and many homes.

Back in 1891, however, the highway carried far less (and far slower) traffic. Much of the land along its shoulders was undeveloped fields and forest. And built to rise above the treetops was the bell tower of the old Sanatoga Union Sunday School, which now is headquarters for the Lower Pottsgrove Historical Society, 2341 E. High St., Pottstown PA.

Restoring the chapel is a continuing project of the historical society. Members obtained the deed to the structure during its centennial year, 1991, only six years after the society itself was founded. Its exterior brick has been refurbished and re-pointed.

Its real treasures, though, lie within, where youngsters once learned about the Bible while seated in pews there. The former chapel is recognized as a functioning museum, and is filled with many items depicting the vast history of Lower Pottsgrove PA) Township. The society is intent upon preserving the township’s heritage.

As with most non-profit organizations, the society depends on its membership fees and holds fund-raisers to pay its bills. It’s well-attended annual Strawberry Festival, yard sales, raffles, and public donations throughout the years have kept the society afloat, as have the time, energy and dedication given by its members.

The society this month will conduct a membership drive on Oct. 30 (2011; Sunday) during its open house from 1-4 p.m. It’s trying to grow, just as East High Street has, and encourages the public to come see what’s inside the chapel now.

Editor’s note: The Lower Pottsgrove Historical Society was formed in 1985 to share the heritage of Lower Pottsgrove Township with its residents. It meets on the second Wednesday of every month at its museum and offices in the former Sanatoga Chapel, 2341 E. High St., Sanatoga PA. Author and society President Beth Scherer writes about Lower Pottsgrove history monthly for The Post.

Articles in this series:

• Timeless Treasures Fill Historical Society Chapel Offices
• Hilltop’s Still Making History, 59 Years After Opening
• Historic Answer To Heat: Township Swimmin’ Holes
• Need A Local Hotel? There Once Were Four, Right Here
• What’s Changed Most In ‘Grove Grads? Their Schools
• Shantz’s Mound Presence Made Sanatoga ‘Pheverous’
• Stars Danced In Lower Pottsgrove Long Before TV Show
• Never Heard Of Sanatoga’s Longview Hotel? Here’s Why

Photo from the Lower Pottsgrove Historical Society