In
a memo from Mary Woolley at the Trustees
and Faculty
conference, she mentioned that
there is was a growing need for a Gothic Chapel,
which “shall be an inspiration to worship.” The
existing chapel could no longer handle religious
services for the growing student body. The
decision needed to be made as to whether the
new chapel would be built for chapel and Sunday
services exclusively, or built to accommodate
the college on special occasions such as Founder’s
Day or Commencement.
At
a Board of Trustee’s
meeting on November 5, 1936, a vote was passed
that the chapel be constructed according to
sketches and plans prepared by the architectural
firm of Allen, Collens, and Willis. The discretion
was given to the special Chapel Building Committee
to make any changes that may be necessary.
Once
more, Charles Collens
was called upon
to design a new building for the College.
The Abbey Memorial Chapel design took its
inspiration from the
library’s beautiful Gothic style
and the architects reoriented the chapel
entrance
to the interior of the campus, creating
a more secluded atmosphere for the College.
Its entrance
was situated parallel to
that of Williston Memorial Library. In
place
of
the original
college
entry, Collens placed the chancel and added
a rose window
above the altar (18).
Rose Window, Abbey Memorial
Chapel. Courtesy
of MHC Archives.
For
Concluding Thoughts on Collegiate Gothic
Architecture at MHC, Click Here
Home
Page
The
History of Gothic Architecture:
Cambridge
and Princeton
About Ralph Cram
A Time of Transition:
Bryn
Mawr
Mary E.
Woolley
Frederick
Olmsted Jr.
The Envisioned Plan:
Program for
Campus Development
Designs
for the Library and Chapel
Shurtleff
and Cram Present Their Ideas
The Implemented Plan:
Meetings
and Discussions
Collens'
Library Designs(Exterior)
Collens'
Library Designs (Interior)
Bertha
Blakely's Influence
Abbey Memorial
Chapel
Charles Collens
Dedication Speech and closing comments
Trivial Pursuit
Question
References
