In the early 1900's, Alva T. Story, Superintendent of the exclusive Pointe Mouillee Shooting Club, and his wife Katie, purchased a lot from Cecil and Genevieve Vreeland, whose Swallow Farm extended from Fort Street, all the way to the railroad on the East. Mr. and Mrs. Story began construction on their new home shortly after the Spanish American War. A foundation of poured concrete, with basement walls 18 inches thick formed the base of the large, square, red brick house on the south side of Huron River Drive, which at that time was known as Dixie Highway. The home was topped with an expensive slate roof, and boasted a beautiful oak staircase. Many of the expensive materials used in the construction were obtained through the influence of wealthy club members. Many workers and guides from the club were pressed into service as day laborers during the construction of the house. To the left of the living room and the staircase was a lovely fireplace. Through two arches could be seen the dining room. Just beyond, the hallway and library, with it's many bookshelves. Mr. Story's office was to the right of the entrance hall. There were four large bedrooms and a bath upstairs. A huge coal furnace heated the entire house. A large cistern furnished an ample supply of running water. There was a coal bin and a fruit cellar that extended underneath the back porch.

In the late 1920's, Alva, Katie and their son Dunstan moved to a more prestigious address, a large, new home on Riverside Drive in Trenton. Mr. Story sold the house to Edson and Adelaide Valrance. The Valrance's, who previously owned Valrance & Son Hardware, were retired. Their large, new lovely "Story house" gave them room to entertain and to accommodate friends who would stay overnight.

Hard times came to Rockwood and to the whole country after the Market Crash of '29 and the ensuing depression of the 1930's. A tasteful sign reading "Rooms for Tourists - Sunday Dinners" appeared in front of the Valrance house. The sidewalk, flanked by two small, trimmed, ornamental Catalpa trees, led to the cool, shady front porch, with its inviting white wicker furniture. Addie served lemonade, iced tea and coffee to tourists on the porch, before dinner. Salesman and travelers along the busy Dixie Highway soon made the Valrance home a regular overnight stop. Addie Valrance loved to entertain. Her Sunday dinners were always well attended. During the winter months teachers at the Rockwood Public School boarded there, and Salesmen stopped by for the bed and breakfast all year long.

Mr. Valrance decided to go back into the hardware business. He purchased the unfinished P.E. Shipee building on Huron River Drive, and rented the house to Dr. Roland Ritter in 1936. Assured that the hardware store was a successful endeavor, the Valrance's put their home up for sale. The house was purchased by Dr. and Mrs. John Secor in July of 1939.

The doctor remodeled extensively, utilizing the space for an office, examining rooms, and a comfortable patient's waiting room. The attentive and caring doctor's practice continued to grow. After Dr. John N. Secor, D.O. built the Medical Dental Building located next door in the 1950's, the house underwent another thorough renovation. A family room was added to the back of the house, the kitchen remodeled, and the horse barn was enlarged to accommodate the storage of the larger automobiles of the 1940's. The Secor home was tastefully redecorated, and beautifully furnished.

In 1959, the large brick house was sold to the Reverend and Mrs. Ralph Askew, the first resident pastor of the Rockwood First Congregational Church. The Askew's gave the house to their son, Charles Kinney in the late 1960's.

In the early 1980's the house was purchased by school teachers Carol and Roger Chiolino, who resided in the home for 17 years. Mr. and Mrs. Chiolino now reside in the State of Florida.

In April of 1999, the home located at 21983 Huron River Drive, began to take on a whole new look. Many neighbors, and people passing by wondered what was to become of the red brick house. During the renovations people frequently stopped by to inquire about the project.

The additional property to the West of the home was prepared for the future site of a parking lot. The exterior of the home was painted with pale ivory paint, and trimmed in white. The front porch was rebuilt, and gingerbread trim was added around the entire house. A new blue-gray roof replaced the old worn slate shingles. The beautiful woodwork inside the home was refinished. The interior of the house was completely renovated to provide a romantic, Victorian setting for future use. The house would now be given a name. It would be known as the Huron River Wedding Chapel.

In March of 2000, the first wedding ceremony was held at the Chapel. It was an absolutely beautiful day for a wedding. Since then many brides and grooms have added to the history by taking vows, and starting their new lives together in the Chapel, which was once called "home" by Mr. and Mrs. Alva T. Story.

Creating Beautiful Memories to Last a Lifetime