Century-Old Chapel at Johnson City Cemetery Torn Down

Demolition crews have removed a stone chapel building donated by businessman George F. Johnson and his wife more than 100 years ago.

The chapel was located near the entrance of Calvary Cemetery on Harry L. Drive in Johnson City.

Cemetery operations manager Randy Ramey said it had been more than 25 years since services were held in the chapel.

Ramey said the structure, which was built in 1923, had fallen into disrepair. He said the chapel would have needed a significant amount of work if it remained in place. He said the necessary repairs could have cost nearly a million dollars.

The cemetery board approved the demolition after it determined it wasn't feasible to keep the chapel.

Ramey said the altar, woodwork and stained-glass windows were removed from the building last week. Workers from LCP Group also saved the cornerstone and the three crosses which were on the roof of the chapel.

The items salvaged from the chapel will be repurposed.

Ramey said a "respectful tribute" to the chapel will be erected at the site where it stood for over a century.

VIDEO: A walk around the century-old chapel at Calvary Cemetery in Johnson City. WNBF News visited the beautiful site last May.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.