Reverend Burk was rector of an Episcopal church in nearby Norristown. The money for the chapel was raised in small increments, and its stone walls were built a "few feet at a time."[1] Burk was active in trying to preserve Valley Forge and in the establishment of the Valley Forge Museum of American History, predecessor to the Valley Forge Historical Society.[1]
A previous attempt to build a memorial church at Valley Forge had been launched in 1885 by Baptist minister James M. Guthrie, who raised funds and began building before running out of funds.[8]
June 19, 1903 marked the 125th anniversary of the evacuation of the Continental Army from Valley Forge,[1] and the cornerstone was laid on property donated by the I. Heston Todd family. A small wood-framed building nearby preceded the present structure. President Theodore Roosevelt visited the site and gave an address in 1904, and the original wooden building was named the Theodore Roosevelt Chapel. It was demolished after completion of the present chapel.[9]
The Chapel's exterior was completed in 1917 and its interior in 1921. It serves as a wayside chapel to those who visit Valley Forge National Historical Park, and is open to the public.[9]
Noted ironsmith Samuel Yellin produced the wrought iron gates, hardware, and locks. He was one of many artisans to produce sculptures, stonework, stained glass, and metal work.[10] The interior woodwork was supplied by cabinetmaker Edward Maene (1852–1931).[11]
The Chapel can appear to visitors to be a part of the park, given its central location. However, the Chapel and surrounding property belong to the Episcopal Church. There is a model of the Washington Monument across from the Chapel which marks the grave of Lieutenant John Waterman. The Bell Tower houses the DAR Patriot Rolls, listing those that served in the Revolutionary War.[12][13]
National Patriots Bell Tower and Carillon
National Patriots Bell Tower (1953)
The National Patriots Bell Tower[14] was a later addition to the Chapel, and houses its carillon. The 102ft (31m) tower was built entirely with funds raised by members of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) over a period of more than a decade.[15] Construction began in 1941, but was suspended due to World War II, and restarted in 1949.[16] The bell tower was completed and dedicated in 1953.
The Justice Bell (Women's Liberty Bell) is on permanent display in the bell tower chamber. It was forged in 1915 as a nearly identical replica of the Liberty Bell, and became an instrumental symbol of the Women's Suffrage movement. In 1920, after touring many parts of the country to promote the passing of the 19th Amendment, the bell was stored on the grounds of Valley Forge National Park before being permanently moved to the bell tower chamber in 1943.[3]
The bell tower contains a traditional carillon, with a keyboard of 58 bells. The first 14 bells (from the Meneely Bell Foundry) were installed in a temporary wooden tower in 1926, and the number of bells expanded over the course of three decades. Fifty-six bells were installed in the bell tower in 1953, and expanded to 58 bells in 1963 with two bells from the Fonderie Paccard in France.[14]
The bell tower is played regularly by a resident carillonneur. Concerts, both formal and informal, are held throughout the year and are open to the public.[17]
Features
Stained glass
George Washington Window (year?), south wall (over entrance), Nicola D'Ascenzo, designer, depicts 36 scenes from Washington's life
Anthony Wayne Window (year?), west wall, Nicola D'Ascenzo, designer.[18] Depicts 12 scenes of American expansion.
Alexander Hamilton Window (year?), east wall, Nicola D'Ascenzo, designer
Martha Washington Window (1918), north wall (over altar), Nicola D'Ascenzo, designer
Washington at Prayer Window (year?), carillon tower chamber, Nicola D'Ascenzo, designer
Martha Washington Window (1918).
George Washington Window.
Patriotism Window and The Union Window.
John Paul Jones Window.
Washington at Prayer Window.
Church furniture
Baptismal font (limestone & oak, 1907), Milton B. Medary, designer
Lectern and Perclose (limestone, 1909), Milton B. Medary, designer
Altar and reredos (limestone, 1916), Milton B. Medary, designer
Litany desk (Prie-dieu) (white oak, 1916), chancel, Milton B. Medary, designer, Edward Maene, carver
Pews of the Patriots (white oak, 1917), Milton B. Medary, designer, Edward Maene, carver. The left front pew is the Presidents' Pew, dedicated to George Washington and James Monroe, the two future Presidents of the United States who endured the Valley Forge encampment.[19]
Choir stalls and reredos (white oak, 1917–21), choir, Milton B. Medary, designer, Edward Maene, carver
↑ Howarth, Shirley Reiff, C. Paul Jennewein: Sculptor, The Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa, Florida, 1980, p.138
Resources
Rev. W. Herbert Burk, D.D., Making a Museum: The Confessions of a Curator (1926). Burk was the founder and curator of the Valley Forge Museum of American History.
Eleanor H.S. Burk, In the Beginning: at Valley Forge and the Washington Memorial Chapel (1938).
Shelley A. Perdue, The Washington Memorial Chapel: Historic Structure Report and Condition Assessment, (Masters thesis, University of Pennsylvania, 2005).
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