Chapel Emmanuel Railroad Car facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Chapel Emmanuel Railroad Car
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The restored car in 2012
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 Location in South Dakota
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Madison, South Dakota |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1893 |
| Built by | Barney & Smith Car Co. |
| NRHP reference No. | 76001740 |
| Added to NRHP | September 8, 1976 |
The Chapel Emmanuel Railroad Car was a very special train car. It was one of thirteen "chapel cars" used as churches on wheels in the United States. These unique cars started traveling around 1890.
Seven of these chapel cars were built by the Barney and Smith Car Company. This company was located in Dayton, Ohio. The cars traveled from town to town, mostly in the less populated western states. They were used by the American Baptist Publication Society to share their message.
The Chapel Emmanuel car was built in 1893. It was the second car made for the Baptists. This car served the longest, staying in use until about 1938. In the 1950s, it was sold to a salvage business. This company, Brandt Engineering Co., in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, removed its metal parts and used it for storage.
By 1976, the car found a new home. It was given to Prairie Village. This is a museum near Madison, South Dakota. The car was also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historical site.
Contents
The Story of Chapel Emmanuel
The Chapel Emmanuel car was built during a tough time. There was a big money crisis in 1893, called the "financial panic." The company building the car, Barney & Smith, was having trouble. They needed to make sure they had enough money to keep going.
Because of this, the price for the car did not include everything needed inside. So, many items for the Emmanuel were given as gifts. For example, the brakes came from the Westinghouse Air Brake Company. Other companies donated springs and wheels. Even things like silverware, blankets, and a cooking stove were donated.
Baptist groups also helped out. The car's furniture was a gift from women in Baptist churches in Oakland and San Francisco. The Emmanuel was ten feet longer than the first chapel car, the Evangel. It was officially opened in Denver, Colorado, on May 24, 1893.
Missionaries on Board
The Wheelers were the first missionaries to travel on the Evangel. They were also the first to travel with the Emmanuel. In 1895, the chapel car needed repairs and a new coat of paint. The Wheelers had to leave the car while the work was done.
Sadly, on their way home to Minnesota, the train they were on had an accident. Mr. Wheeler was killed. To remember him, a beautiful stained glass window was made. It was placed in the door leading to the living area of the car.
A Long Journey and New Home
The Chapel Emmanuel car traveled across the Western and Northwestern states. It continued its mission until 1938. After that, it sat on a side track in South Fork, Colorado. In 1942, a decision was made to move the old chapel car. It went to a Baptist camp at Swan Lake, South Dakota.
The car stayed there for thirteen years. Then, it was sold for scrap metal. The old car was then used for storage by an engineering company. But one day, a carpenter from the Prairie Village park saw the car. He realized it could be brought back to life!
The Emmanuel was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. By 1982, it was fully restored to its original glory. Today, its permanent home is at Prairie Village, where visitors can see this amazing piece of history.
Images for kids
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The Hermistons, who rode in Emmanuel for 41,000 miles.
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A children's service aboard Emmanuel.
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Chapel car Emmanuel in Santa Barbara, California.
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Children after a service on the car.
See also
