Tucked into the heart of Northumberland Borough, in Pennsylvania is an extraordinary historical gem dedicated to one of America’s premiere scientists and theologians, Joseph Priestley.
Attend events such as our “First Sundays” each first Sunday of the month at 9:30 a.m. to enjoy music and poetry.
You also have access to this rare treasure – to make your own history with your wedding , to bless your children or to memorialize a loved ones.
Priestley Chapel Associates is a secular, non-profit 501 (c) 3 corporation established in 1977 to care for and manage the Joseph Priestley Memorial Chapel, the beautiful memorial garden and the historic 1811 John Wind organ located in the chapel.
This lovely country chapel was built in 1834 by descendants of Joseph Priestley and members of the Unitarian congregation in Northumberland. Currently, the chapel is open to the public the first Sunday of each month for a program of words and music.
The chapel is also used for wedding ceremonies, memorial services, and community events. For more information call 570-701-7240
The Joseph Priestley Memorial Chapel presents
A Concert of Organ Music
June 23, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.
Matthew C. Wagner
Mr. Wagner is a native of Mifflinburg. He retired in 2016 after 27 years as band director at Mifflinburg Area High School. He has served as organist for 46 years in many area churches. Wagner is presently Organist and Choir Director at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Shamokin Dam, and Christ’s United Lutheran Church, Millmont. He received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Susquehanna University with graduate Central Connecticut State University. Wagner studied piano with Olive Hoover of Mifflinburg. His organ teachers include George Klingman, of Mifflinburg, Dr. Kent Hill at Mansfield University, Dr. Susan Hegberg at Susquehanna University, and June Miller at Penn State University. Wagner is presently an archivist with the Union County Historical Society and a researcher of Union County History.
The John Wind Organ
The organ was built in 1815 by John Wind, a piano and organ maker in Lancaster. The organ is a small cabinet pipe organ probably built for use in a home and is older than the chapel itself. It originally stood next to the pulpit but later was moved to the loft .
This program will feature 18th and 19th century music appropriate for the small 2-rank and one manual pipe organ.
Please take and post pictures to our Facebook page when at a wedding or other event!