Washington Memorial Chapel facts for kids

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Washington Memorial Chapel Location in Pennsylvania Show map of Pennsylvania Washington Memorial Chapel Location in the United States Show map of the United States
40°06′16.3″N 75°26′16.6″W / 40.104528°N 75.437944°W / 40.104528; -75.437944
Location	Montgomery, Pennsylvania
Country	United States

The Washington Memorial Chapel is a special building located inside Valley Forge National Historical Park in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. It's a national memorial honoring General George Washington, who was the leader of the American army during the Revolutionary War and later became the first U.S. President. It's also an active church, part of the Episcopal Church.

This beautiful chapel was inspired by a speech given by Reverend Dr. W. Herbert Burk, who was the first leader of the church here. The building was designed by architect Milton B. Medary. The chapel was officially recognized as a historic place on May 1, 2017. It is currently being restored to keep it looking great for future visitors. Even though it's in the park, the chapel and its land belong to the Episcopal Church.

History of the Chapel
National Patriots Bell Tower and Carillon
Chapel Features
See also

History of the Chapel

Original plan for the chapel (1908)

Inside the chapel in 2016

Reverend Burk, who started the chapel, was a church leader in nearby Norristown. He worked hard to raise money for the chapel, often in small amounts. Because of this, the stone walls were built slowly, "a few feet at a time." Reverend Burk also helped protect Valley Forge and started the Valley Forge Museum of American History. This museum later became the Valley Forge Historical Society.

Before this chapel, another attempt was made in 1885 to build a memorial church at Valley Forge. A minister named James M. Guthrie started raising money and building, but he ran out of funds.

The cornerstone for the current chapel was laid on June 19, 1903. This date was special because it was 125 years after the Continental Army left Valley Forge. The land for the chapel was given by the I. Heston Todd family. A small wooden building was built first. In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt visited the site and gave a speech. The original wooden building was then named the Theodore Roosevelt Chapel. It was taken down after the main chapel was finished.

The outside of the Washington Memorial Chapel was completed in 1917. The inside was finished in 1921. Today, it serves as a place for visitors to the Valley Forge National Historical Park to stop and reflect. It is open to everyone.

Many skilled artists worked on the chapel. A famous metalworker named Samuel Yellin created the beautiful iron gates, door handles, and locks. Other artists made sculptures, stone carvings, and stunning stained glass windows. The detailed wooden parts inside were made by cabinetmaker Edward Maene (1852–1931).

Across from the chapel, there is a small model of the Washington Monument. This marks the grave of Lieutenant John Waterman. The chapel's Bell Tower holds special lists called the DAR Patriot Rolls. These lists name the people who served in the Revolutionary War.

National Patriots Bell Tower and Carillon

National Patriots Bell Tower (1953)

The National Patriots Bell Tower was added to the chapel later. It holds the chapel's carillon, which is a musical instrument made of many bells. This tower is 102 ft (31 m) tall. It was built entirely with money raised by members of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). They collected funds for over ten years!

Construction of the tower began in 1941. However, it had to stop because of World War II. Work started again in 1949, and the bell tower was finished and dedicated in 1953.

Inside the bell tower, you can see the Justice Bell, also known as the Women's Liberty Bell. This bell was made in 1915 and looks almost exactly like the famous Liberty Bell. It became a very important symbol for the Women's Suffrage movement, which fought for women's right to vote. The Justice Bell traveled around the country to promote the 19th Amendment. After this amendment passed in 1920, the bell was stored at Valley Forge National Park. In 1943, it was moved permanently to the bell tower chamber.

The bell tower has a traditional carillon with a keyboard that controls 58 bells. The first 14 bells were put in a temporary wooden tower in 1926. More bells were added over the next 30 years. In 1953, 56 bells were installed in the new bell tower. Two more bells from France were added in 1963, bringing the total to 58.

A musician called a carillonneur plays the bell tower regularly. Both formal and informal concerts are held throughout the year, and everyone is welcome to come and listen.

Chapel Features

Stained Glass Windows

The chapel has many beautiful stained glass windows, mostly designed by Nicola D'Ascenzo.

George Washington Window: Located on the south wall, over the entrance. It shows 36 scenes from Washington's life.
Anthony Wayne Window: On the west wall, showing 12 scenes of American expansion.
Alexander Hamilton Window: On the east wall.
Martha Washington Window (1918): On the north wall, above the altar.
Washington at Prayer Window: Found in the carillon tower chamber.

Martha Washington Window (1918).
George Washington Window.
Patriotism Window and The Union Window.
John Paul Jones Window.
Washington at Prayer Window.

Church Furniture

Many pieces of furniture in the chapel were designed by Milton B. Medary and carved by Edward Maene.

Baptismal font (1907): Made of limestone and oak.
Pulpit (1909): Made of limestone, where sermons are given.
Lectern and Perclose (1909): Made of limestone, used for reading scriptures.
Altar and reredos (1916): Made of limestone, the main table and screen behind it.
Litany desk (Prie-dieu) (1916): Made of white oak, a small desk for prayer.
Pews of the Patriots (1917): Made of white oak. The front left pew is called the Presidents' Pew. It honors George Washington and James Monroe, who were both future presidents and stayed at Valley Forge.
Choir stalls and reredos (1917–21): Made of white oak, where the choir sits.
Prayer Desk (1916): Hand-carved and engraved. It honors Anna Morris Holstein, who helped save and preserve Washington’s Headquarters and the first parts of Valley Forge Park. It was given by the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.) and the Patriotic Order Sons of America (POS of A).

Baptismal font (1907).
Pulpit (1909).
Lectern and Perclose (1909).
Altar and reredos (1916).
Screen for Presidents' Pew (1917).
Choir screens (1917).
East choir stalls (1917).
East choir reredos (c.1920).
West choir reredos (c.1920).

Sculptures and Artworks

The chapel grounds and interior feature many important sculptures.

Valley Forge (1878): A small bronze statue of a seated George Washington, found on the rood screen. Sculptor: Franklin Simmons.
Sacrifice and Devotion (Grieving Mother) (1914): A bronze statue in the Cloister of the Colonies Garden. Sculptor: Bela Pratt.
Harrison Memorial Gates (1918): Wrought iron gates at the porch, made by Samuel Yellin.
Declaration of Independence Tablet (1926): A limestone carving in the nave. Sculptor: Martha Maulsby Hovenden.
United States Constitution Tablet (1936): Another limestone carving in the nave. Sculptor: Martha Maulsby Hovenden.
Bishop William White (1937): A bronze statue. Sculptor: Alexander Stirling Calder.
George Washington (1953): A limestone statue on the outside of the National Patriots Bell Tower. Sculptor: C. Paul Jennewein.
Nathanael Greene (2015): A bronze statue on the front lawn. Sculptor: Susie Chisholm.

Valley Forge (1878), by Franklin Simmons.
Grieving Mother (1914), by Bela Pratt, Cloister of the Colonies Garden.
Harrison Memorial Gates (1918), by Samuel Yellin,
Minuteman Latch, Harrison Memorial Gates.
Declaration of Independence Tablet (1926), by Martha M. Hovenden.
United States Constitution Tablet (1936), by Martha M. Hovenden.
Bishop William White (1937), by Alexander Stirling Calder, Bishop White Garden.
George Washington (1953), by C. Paul Jennewein, exterior of bell tower.

Other Notable Items

Mosaic portrait bust of George Washington: A mosaic artwork in the bell tower chamber, designed by Nicola D'Ascenzo.
Justice Bell (1915): Also known as The Women's Liberty Bell, located in the National Patriots Bell Tower chamber.

Washington mosaic portrait bust (year), by Nicola D'Ascenzo
Justice Bell (1915), National Patriots Bell Tower chamber.