Dillingersville Union School and Church - Dillingersville, PA, USA - Photos Then and Now on Waymarking.com

The original settlers in this area were from German states bordering the Rhine Valley and those who came to the Dillingersville area were Lutherans. In 1735, the built the first Church and School on a tract of land consisting of 29 acres and 137 perches (fun fact: a perch is an outdated unit of area which is 16+1/2 feet squared).

After the arrival of the Lutherans, members of the Reformed (now UCC) and Mennonite faiths began to populate the area. Since all were religiously minded they grouped together in both school and church affairs, building a common "union" school building which served as both a schoolhouse, church, and community meeting house for the members of the three faiths. Thus practice is still seen in Eastern PA with "Union Churches".

The first building at this site was constructed from logs in 1735 and served as a schoolhouse, church, and meeting house. In 1799, the congregations met to formulate a plan to continue to original school and formed the Dillingersville Union School and Church Association (which is still active) and they constructed the second building in 1799. A third school was constructed in 1848. In 1885 the fourth and present school building was constructed on the site still under the ownership of the Union School and Church Association. In 1941, the school closed down and has been used as a meeting house and community center since then.

In the beginning, German was the language taught exclusively. Eight grades were conducted by one teacher in the typical "one-room" building. The varying sizes of desks determined the grade in which a child was placed. Dunce stools were conspicuously placed for those students not performing to the best of their ability. Silence was mandatory; disturbances were dealt with by disciplinary flogging enforced by means of a hickory switch, wooden paddle, or leather strap. Well, it was the 1700s and 1800s.

Now, for more info on the building itself (from the original NHRP application, link below):

"The fourth and present structure was constructed in 1885. Built of native fieldstone, this one story structure has a Bangor slate gable roof and a projecting entranceway with a gable roof and frame bell cupola. The structure is rectangular in shape and measures 52 feet by 30 feet. The long walls (52 feet) have five bays. Windows are four over four, double hung sash with plain wooden frame and sills as well as panelled shutters. The entranceway is located in the projecting stone section located in the third bay. The doorway itself has a wooden frame with a panelled door. The square bell tower has louvered openings and an octagonal sphere topped by finial weathervane. Small two over two attic windows are located in the gable ends."

Year photo was taken: 1885

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