Washington's Memorial Chapel, Part 2

Last Saturday we were given a private tour by one of the members of the Chapel.  I don't think a lot of people realize that it's a functioning Episcopal Chapel that meets every Sunday.  So of course it doesn't receive any of the park's money for repairs.  Which is why I would strongly suggest when you visit Valley Forge and see Washington's Memorial Chapel leave a small donation to help keep up repairs.  As the gentlemen giving the tour said people don't have to leave much but out of all the thousands of people that visit every year, if they left just a quarter.  They would have enough to fix some of the damage done from weather and unfortunately vandalism.  They also have a small building behind the Chapel that holds a gift shop.  Also a small room behind the bell tower that sells used books.

The stained glass in this church is absolutely beautiful!  It's all done in the traditional medieval style with bright colored glass and leading.  Even though when the church was built, the more muted colors of Tiffany Styled Stained Glass was what was popular.

 The detail of the different scenes is breathtaking.

These four pictures of stained glass are in the bell tower.  I tried to get as detailed as I could, but the height of these windows made it really difficult.  It was also a little dark inside.

These beautiful carvings were carved by an amazing Master Carpenter from Poland and are directly behind the choir loft.

I know it's not possible to be seen here.  In one of the stained glass scenes above the cross, there is a scene with Jesus holding a model of the chapel.  It is an interesting representation of how he holds his children dear.

I'm sorry I can't remember the name of the man that the small statue above represents.  He was a British soldier, and very close friend of George Washington, that died during The French and Indian War.  Even the smallest carvings are really beautiful.  This angel below is one of many, that sit on each edge of the pews.

This bronze statue of George Washington  is by the door from the sanctuary to the bell tower.

The ceiling has the devices of all 50 states, sorry I could not get the whole ceiling in this picture.  They also have replicas of one of every flag that the US has had up on the walls.  Yes there are even replicas of the French flags that were used during The Revolutionary War.

This was a strong box, with a false bottom that was use to haul around the colony's money during The Revolutionary War. 

Washington's Memorial Chapel, Part 1

It's is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and The Bible.

-- George Washington