Taylor Memorial Chapel facts for kids
|
Taylor Memorial Chapel
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Colorado
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 6145 Shoup, Black Forest, Colorado |
|---|---|
| Built | 1929 |
| Architect | John Gaw Meem |
| Architectural style | Pueblo |
| NRHP reference No. | 99000447 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | April 15, 1999 |
The Taylor Memorial Chapel is a special old building. It is located at the La Foret Conference and Retreat Center in Black Forest, Colorado. This chapel is so important that it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
History of the Chapel
The Taylor Memorial Chapel was built in 1929. It was created to honor Frederick Morgan Pike Taylor, the husband of Alice Bemis Taylor. A famous architect named John Gaw Meem designed the chapel. It was built on the land of Alice Taylor's summer home, which she called La Foret.
The chapel was Alice Taylor's private place to worship until she passed away in 1942. In 1944, the chapel was given to the United Church of Christ's Rocky Mountain Conference. Later, the inside and outside of the chapel were fixed up. This restoration cost $120,000 and was paid for by a State Historic Fund grant.
What the Chapel Looks Like
The chapel is very important because it shows the "Santa Fe Style" of church building. This style was created by John Gaw Meem. The chapel looks like a traditional Pueblo building. It is surrounded by a walled courtyard. This area is near a small valley in a forest of Ponderosa pine trees.
The chapel still looks much like it did when it was first built. It has walls covered in stucco, which is a type of plaster. It also has log vigas, which are wooden beams used in traditional Southwestern buildings. The chapel even has a bell from an "old mission church in New Mexico."
You enter the two-story building through large, carved wooden doors. Inside, there is an altar and two side sections called transepts. Each transept has its own porch. The church has many beautiful wood carvings. A sculptor named Eugenie Shonnard carved a 20-foot tall reredos, which is a screen behind the altar, showing seven saints. The archways leading to the transepts have "rough hewn wood carvings." The altar, pulpit, lectern, and other furniture are also made of carved wood by Shonnard. Above the log vigas, there is a pattern made from Aspen saplings. The floor is made of flagstone. A spiral staircase leads to the second story, where there are more seats.
The chapel shows Alice Taylor's love for simple, religious things. It also shows her "passion for Southwestern art." From the chapel, you can see an amazing view of Pikes Peak.
About La Foret Center
The Taylor Memorial Chapel is one of two historic buildings at the La Foret Conference and Retreat Center. The Ponderosa Lodge is the other building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The center is a large area of 400 acres with meadows and Ponderosa pine trees.
La Foret was originally a 500-acre summer home for Alice Bemis Taylor. She was a kind person who gave money to many causes and was part of an important family in Colorado Springs. Mrs. Taylor invited artists to stay and work at her estate, which she named La Foret. The Taylor Memorial Chapel was built one year after the lodge. It was a way to remember her husband, Frederick Morgan Pike Taylor.
Alice Taylor passed away in 1942. Her foundation then gave the property to the Colorado Congregational Church. Today, the center is open to members of the United Church of Christ, other religious groups, and various organizations. La Foret now has many cabins, a dining hall, sports fields, and an outdoor theater.
Surviving the Black Forest Fire
In June 2013, a big fire called the Black Forest fire happened. The Taylor Memorial Chapel and other buildings at the La Foret Conference and Retreat Center were saved from the fire. This was partly because of efforts to protect the area from fires.
After the fire, the retreat center started an organization called "Black Forest Strong." This group helps the Black Forest community recover. They offer support like grief counseling and act as a community resource center. They also help victims and organize events. The plan also includes efforts to preserve the area, replant trees, and teach people about fire prevention.
