History of the Royer Chapel
Before the original Royer Chapel was built, its predecessor, St. Nicholas Church, once stood roughly in its place. Built in 1857, St. Nicholas was a 25-foot-wide by 35-foot-long log frame structure with clapboard siding. It was nestled in the hilly countryside of a close-knit community of French immigrants. St. Nicholas sat on a 0.58-acre piece of land deeded by Nicholas and Ann (Lego) Royer to Archbishop John D. Purcell on December 19, 1856 (legally sold for $1). The plot had been part of the Royer homestead. Four days later, Margaret Factor, widow of Mathias Factor, would deed the adjacent 0.58 acres of her land (to the east) to Archbishop Purcell. The cemetery would occupy that portion.
St. Nicholas' first parishioners were mostly first-generation French immigrants, including the Erman, Factor, Royer, Salrin, Strauser, and Wimmer families, et al. Each of the congregation's (approx.) 25 families contributed time, labor, and materials — notably three large logs — to the church's construction. The new church was christened "St. Nicholas" by Archbishop Purcell in 1858. He visited as early as December 9, 1858 and conferred the sacrament of Confirmation on eleven parishioners. The church, however, was not blessed at the time of his visit. The blessing of St. Nicholas did not happen until Bishop Sylvester Rosecrans, first Bishop of Columbus, performed its dedication upon his visit (and confirmation of 29) on November 7, 1870.
In 1887, St. Nicholas and nearby St. Mary — a mostly German congregation west of Plainfield — were consolidated into the new Our Lady of Lourdes, a centrally located mission on Township Road 280 in Linton Township, just east of the township line. Two baptisms on May 19 and a funeral on July 30, 1887 were the final functions at St. Nicholas. The church was later razed.
The map shows the locations of St. Nicholas (1856-1886) near Wills Creek, St. Mary (1841-1887) just west of Plainfield, and the combined mission, Our Lady of Lourdes (1887-1998). - - From the Bulletin of the Catholic Record Society - Diocese of Columbus, Vol. XXXIII, No. 12, December, 2007 ("St. Nicholas Mission, Franklin Township, Coshocton County, 1856-1886").
Royer Chapel was built in 1897 using salvaged lumber and materials from the remnants of St. Nicholas. It is said that Ann (Salrin) Royer built it in memory of her late husband, Martin (d. 1888), son of Nicholas and Ann (Lego). It is believed that stained glass windows from Coshocton's old St. George Church was installed at Royer Chapel. The new log-framed and wood-sided chapel was only 12 feet wide by 18 feet long, a fraction in size of its precursor. The chapel's southeast (front right) corner used the same (southeast) foundation stone that St. Nicholas sat upon. St. Nicholas' northeast (rear right) and northwest (rear left) foundation stones remain embedded in the ground and are visible behind Royer Chapel.
While many of St. Nicholas' parishioners began attending service and functions at the new Our Lady of Lourdes, others opted to worship at Royer Chapel. The tiny chapel had seven pews and only seated 21 people. The steps leading into the chapel were installed by Wendal Bordenkircher, a German stonemason from Our Lady of Lourdes (and formerly a member of St. Mary's congregation). Statues of Mary and Joseph holding Baby Jesus were positioned on either side of the altar. A statue of the French Madonna — which came from St. Nicholas — and the Royer Family Bible were placed atop the altar. A fourth statue, that of Christ, also graced the inside of Royer Chapel. The interior décor included a green and blue carpet runner that bisected the pews, a prayer kneeler in front of the altar, pink walls, and a greenish-blue ceiling (see photo below). Portraits of Martin Royer and Ann Royer were hung inside the chapel. Official services were held at Royer Chapel until the 1960s. Father Dennis Dunn from Dresden was the first priest to deliver a mass at Royer Chapel.
The Royer family and many generations of descendants have been committed to building maintenance and grounds upkeep. The Royer Chapel and cemetery grounds have always been a special place of solace for reflection, prayer, and peacefulness.
Over the years, chapel and family heirlooms have been stolen, including the Royer Family Bible, or destroyed due to vandalism or arson.
On December 8, 2002, Royer Chapel was destroyed by arson. A rebuilding fund was established by Don and Esther Royer in 2004. Construction of a new, replica chapel commenced in August of 2005. The new chapel was built on the exact site and modeled precisely after the original 1897 structure. It took Weaver Construction one year to complete the rebuild. Don Royer rebuilt the altar; Tom Spang rebuilt the seven pews and Tim Spang hung a new cross to divinely ornament the chapel peak. In addition the rebuilt chapel, a commemorative memorial wall — put together with engraved bricks — was erected near the roadway. Each brick engraving was sold to help fund the Royer Chapel rebuild.
Royer Chapel (circa 1940s), Photo from Glen Hammel collection
Statues of Mary (left), the French Madonna (center, atop altar), and Joseph with Baby Jesus (right). The Royer Family Bible atop altar also pictured (June 1965). Photo from Connie McCullough collection.
