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Photos by Stacy Van Buskirk/Contributing Photographer The historic Harshaw Chapel’s roof and steeple have been preserved until funds can be raised to restore them to their original glory. With the deadline quickly approaching, this Murphy site will need the public’s help. -
The Harshaw Chapel’s roof has been preserved to this point and is awaiting the restoration of its historic steeple. Before this can happen, grant funds received from Partners for Sacred Places must be used by August 2024. Additional funds are needed to make sure the project happens.
Murphy – The Harshaw Chapel, a beloved historic landmark that has stood as a symbol of faith and community in Murphy since 1869, is in need of urgent repairs to its roof.
As this iconic structure continues to age gracefully, the time has come for the community to rally together and support the much-needed roof replacement project.
The Friends of Harshaw Chapel Committee has been diligently working on raising funds to restore the roof and cupola of the church built in 1869 by Joshua Harshaw. In December 2019, it was determined that due to the rotting wood timbers in the roof that the chapel’s cupola and bell were removed and stored, and the roof was weather-proofed until funds were raised to restore the roof.
The Harshaw Chapel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior, which limits the ways in which the chapel can be restored.
Repair of the roof and treatment of original materials like the locally harvested timber must comply with preservation standards. The plan is that any original timbers that are removed will be refashioned into new furniture for the chapel.
The board has received a grant from Partners for Sacred Places, which provides help to restore and preserve historic buildings of worship, however, there is still a need to raise more money before the roof can be replaced. The grant must be used by August 2024, and additional funds are needed to make sure the project happens.
The Friends of Harshaw Chapel will have a booth at the Murphy Spring Festival from noon-8 p.m. Saturday, May 11, on Tennessee Street downtown.
Along with the booth, Marji Hill, a member of the board, has created a book highlighting the history of First United Methodist Church in Murphy’s stained-glass windows. The books will be sold for a $50 gift to the Harshaw Chapel Roof-Fund.
The chapel will be open to view from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, May 11, for the public to see the inside of the chapel.
The committee invites the public to attend to learn some history regarding the Harshaw family and other local lore connected to the chapel.
If you would like to donate to the Harshaw Chapel General Fund, you can go online to murphyfirstumc.org/donate.
Stacy Van Buskirk is secretary of the Friends of Harshaw Chapel Committee.