Confederate Memorial Chapel

Confederate Memorial Chapel is a historic interdenominational memorial chapel located in Richmond, Virginia. Dedicated on May 8, 1887, it is a white frame, Gothic Revival style structure with a clipped gable roof of grey tin and a belfry. The funds to build the chapel, which totaled $4,000, were raised by private citizens, veterans, and through the proceeds of benefit auctions of donated tobacco.

Confederate Memorial Chapel
Confederate Memorial Chapel, July 2011
Confederate Memorial Chapel is located in Virginia
Confederate Memorial Chapel
Confederate Memorial Chapel is located in the United States
Confederate Memorial Chapel
Location2900 Grove Ave., Richmond, Virginia
Coordinates37°33′20″N 77°28′33″W / 37.55556°N 77.47583°W / 37.55556; -77.47583
Area9.9 acres (4.0 ha)
Built1887 (1887)
Built byWingfield, Joseph F.
ArchitectDimmock, Marion J.
Architectural styleGothic Revival
NRHP reference No.72001520[1]
VLR No.127-0224
Significant dates
Added to NRHPFebruary 23, 1972
Designated VLRNovember 16, 1971[2]

The chapel served as a place of worship for the R. E. Lee Camp Confederate Soldier's Home, which was the nation's first successful and longest operating residential complex for Confederate veterans of the Civil War.

Not only did the chapel represent a place of worship, but it also played a significant role in the daily lives of those that lived at the soldier's home as the structure served as an auditorium for lectures, concerts, and meeting. The chapel also held the distinction for holding approximately 1,700 funeral services.

The chapel's interior is of pine with vaulted ceilings. Rows of hand-hewn pews face a raised chancel furnished with gothic revival chairs, lectern, and pulpit. These are then framed by a soaring three-arch opening inscribed with gilded lettering. The central arch proclaims: "This Chapel is Dedicated to the Memory of the Confederate Dead" and its flanking arches state: "In this Place Will I Give Peace" / "Saint the Lord of Hosts."

The sides of the chapel also features eight commemorative stained glass windows manufactured by the Belcher Mosaic Company which all date back to the 19th century and are dedicated to the soldiers and/or battalions of the Confederacy.[3][4]

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ "Virginia Landmarks Register". Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  3. ^ Confederate Memorial Chapel. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. May 18, 2018.
  4. ^ Elizabeth Cheek (July 1971). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Confederate Memorial Chapel" (PDF). Virginia Department of Historic Resources. and Accompanying photo