In 1863, at the same time the Civil War was raging in Gettysburg, Pa., 48 acres were purchased by the Independent Order of Oddfellows (IOOF) from Thomas Struthers to fulfill the need of an additional cemetery in Warren since the one on East Street became full. In operation from 1823 to 1863, the deceased from the East Street Cemetery were moved to the top of the hill – “Potters Field” – in the Oakland Cemetery on Mohawk Avenue.

Many famous people are buried at Oakland Cemetery, including Struthers, as well as John Owen, who was the country’s last surviving veteran of the French and Indian War. Warren’s first Judge, Judge Hackney, a Revolutionary War veteran, as well as many more pioneers of the settlement of Warren – Wetmore, Eddy, Watson, Cobham, Beaty, Falconer, Olmsted, Hazeltine, Crary, DeFrees, Stone, Jefferson, Jackson, Carver, and many more, are resting in Oakland Cemetery.

The ambitions of Warren’s entrepreneurs contributed greatly to the region and even the nation. Housing 22,000 graves, along with mausoleums and tombstones, Oakland Cemetery is a resting place for an abundance of people who led lives of determination, hard work, cooperation, and dedication to our community. The hillside holds graves of two men who fought in both the French and Indian and American Revolutionary wars, who lived in the same time period of the great negotiator, War Chief Cornplanter. Descendants of Miles Standish and the Mayflower ship to America are also buried at Oakland Cemetery. Veterans of several more wars have found their place on the hill as well as 6,000 deceased buried in the Catholic portion of the cemetery, now known as St. Joseph Cemetery.

The people who developed Warren should be honored and memorialized in a beautiful resting place. Making sure that history remains treasured by its community, the Board of the Oakland Cemetery Association approved a chapel restoration workgroup, consisting of three community members and two Oakland Cemetery board members, to proceed with restoration of the chapel at Oakland Cemetery. The project honors the past with restoration of the original elements of the chapel.

Pictured from left are Bob Crowley, Mary Weiss, and Lisa To of the chapel restoration workgroup, Robert Metzgar, the lead donor and Marty Meddock, the Oakland Cemetery Board President. Outside the chapel there is a need for a ramp to be built in order to allow access for all.

The chapel was built in 1908 and has been unused for several years. Standing the test of time, the masonry and woodwork has remained in extraordinary condition. The workgroup would like to see the chapel benefit the community and the cemetery. Judging by the workgroup’s progress, the chapel will be a community gem. The chapel will have flexible uses, such as indoor funeral services, educational programming, community uses, and small weddings. In addition, the goal includes keeping the chapel true to its history as a simple yet elegant symbol of the town’s identity, one that only the past can give.

Lead donor, Robert Metzgar, supports the project in memory of his wife, Sally. Metzgar shared that his wife, prior to her death, had thought restoration of the chapel was necessary. She spent a lot of time at her grandmother’s home, formerly on the grounds of the cemetery. The Metzgars were married for 60 years and this project honors Sally’s memory and her desire to see the chapel restored.

The majority of the project with its intricate work, artisanal in nature, has been completed within this past year. Contractors – all local – have been kind and generous, and have gone above and beyond with their amazing skill and work they have contributed. Key supporters have dedicated the stained-glass windows as a memorial to their loved ones. The team has brought back to life versions of the past, made brighter in order to restore the chapel to its original state.

In the past, lack of security left the chapel vulnerable to vandalism. Today, various protections have been currently put in place; among those being security cameras that video throughout the cemetery grounds and chapel area. Visitors to the cemetery are also reminded the cemetery is now closed from dusk to dawn, making it unlawful to trespass on the grounds during evening and nighttime hours.

Lisa To, Project Manager for the chapel restoration workgroup, indicates that plans are underway for an open house in the spring, when the finishing touches for the restoration have been completed. Details will be publicized closer to that time. Completion of the chapel project will allow for historical re-enactments to take place to educate the public on the people housed in this distinctive and scenic cemetery; people who built Warren and the surrounding area. The giving spirit of Warren goes back to the pioneers who settled and developed the town. The chapel restoration workgroup is passionate about commemorating their efforts and legacies, and keeping alive the rich history – events and stories that can inspire and encourage us to have pride in and celebrate our town and its people, past and present.

Colors and details are being restored to the original colors inside the chapel with the goal of keeping the chapel as true to the past as possible and to speak of the town’s identity.

Anyone interested in supporting historic Oakland Cemetery and restoration efforts may contact the cemetery office at 814-723-6090. If anyone has special memories of the chapel to share, please email Lisa To at papetone@verizon.net

Construction was started with hopes for completion in Spring 2026. The chapel will have multiple uses, such as indoor funeral services, educational programming, community uses, and small weddings.

The beautiful stained glass windows have been restored, thanks to supporters that have dedicated them to loved ones.