In this second column, I am visiting a very unique community, the Borough of Chapman. William Chapman, a native slater of Cornwall, England, came to America in 1842 and organized the Chapman Slate Company in the community that bears his name. After extensive research, he purchased an area in Northampton County containing prime slate deposits. Thus was born the Chapman Slate Company. The quarry began operations in 1850.

Mr. Chapman resided in Bethlehem and was a member of the Episcopalian church. He died in 1902. His half-brother Richard came to America in 1862 and, four years later, became superintendent of the Chapman Slate Company. He resided in a beautiful Chapman Victorian home with gingerbread woodwork. The home can be seen on Main Street. It is presently owned by Franklin Silfies.

The community founded by Chapman was incorporated as a borough Oct. 25, 1865. The population in 1865 shows a preponderance of English and Welsh names with a number of Pennsylvania Germans. The most common names were Jones and Williams. A number of first names were interesting. Do you know anyone with the name Lodinous or Edwintes? I’m still looking!

In 1910, the population peaked at 700 residents. Today, the population is about 200. As in the coal regions, Chapman was a company town with company homes, company store, post office, hotel and railroad station. There was an early German Brethren church and a United Methodist church that continues to serve the spiritual needs of the community.

The United Methodist church dates back to 1868. Although the Chapmans were Episcopalians, they realized most slaters had roots in England and the Methodist church, so they decided it was imperative to have a Methodist church in Chapman. They supported the church by providing land and building material. The church stands near the present borough hall and old cemetery.

In the late 1880s, the Chapmans contacted the church and told them they needed the land for quarry expansion, but they offered a solution to the problem, which was probably upsetting to the congregation. Most residents of the community were church members.

The Chapmans donated the plot of land where the present edifice graces Main Street. The original church was dismantled board by board, slate by slate. Everything from the bell to the molding was moved down Main Street. The former pastor told me some of the slate on the present church is still in good condition. It proves what the slate workers always said - “Chapman slate was the best you could buy at any price.”

My wife and this writer attended worship services at the church. As you enter by some slate steps, you got the feeling the steps are as strong as the memory of all the slaters who attended the church.

The church is adorned with beautiful stained-glass windows. They remember early families who settled there, with names like Radcliff, Roberts, Heard, Jones, Chapman and Lowe. Chapman Mayor Harold “Sonny” Kocher’s father also donated an impressive religious mural to the church.

There was a warm and friendly feeling at the church as I met many former students at the service. When the bell tolled, it reminded me of the hardworking slaters who labored in the quarries for over a century.

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More memories are coming in two weeks. I hope you all enjoy the series!