Although there were, perhaps, five or six other families who were active in the congregation, it was the Taggart and Priestley descendants who kept it going until about 1890. One of Joseph Rayner Priestley's sons, Joseph Priestley, MD, had 4 daughters who were active in the church. Hannah married Rev. Haskett D. Catlin who was minister to the congregation from 1873 until he moved away in 1878. After that date, Annie Priestley conducted the worship service and Sunday School and her sister, Jean (aka Jane or Jennie), played the organ and led the singing. Annie and Jean and the fourth daughter, Frances, all left small legacies for the maintenance of the chapel.

By 1890 the congregation had dwindled to the point that regular services were discontinued and the chapel remained vacant for several years. From 1904 to 1909 the building was rented to the school district for use as a classroom to relieve overcrowding. A blackboard and electric wiring were installed, a potbellied stove, where the pulpit now stands, and storm doors (not the present vestibule which was added sometime between 1910 and 1940). It was reported that the antique organ was undisturbed.