The
following is a description of the chapel by Lewis Catlin
during the construction:
The dimensions
are 34 x 35, the walls being of solid Maine granite
and the woodwork throughout being of polished oak. Above
the slate roof rises an ornate belfry, while a circular
tablet of Quincy granite , six feet in diameter, set
in the end wall facing the street, is inscribed: “Erected
in Memory of Elizabeth V. Huntington, MVCCCLXXXVL”.
The glory of the interior of the auditorium are the
stained glass windows made from special design by J.
& R. Lamb, the church decorators of New York. The
three windows back of the pulpit are of the most important.
The central one contains the figure of the Good shepherd
holding a lamb. In the upper part in the cross encircled
by the Gloria, and in the lower part the Chi-Rho set
against a background of passion flower. The side panels
display figures of angels kneeling in an attitude of
adoration. In the lower part are seen symbols of the
Alpha and Omega. These windows are composed of opalescent,
Venetian and antique glass, and are treated in a very
rich and brilliant color scheme. The remainder of glasswork
of the chapel is comparatively simple in treatment,
consisting of geometric designs, the general scheme
of color being in amber and gold. Beneath the auditorium
in the basement are the rooms designed for the social
purposes of the church, the largest of which is a spacious
dining room. Adjacent to this apartment are the cloak
room, furnace room, kitchen and pantry. The basement
is reached by a flight of broad stone steps in a granite
walled area, surrounded with a galvanized iron railing.
The estimated cost of the chapel complete is $50,000,
and a more beautiful structure, erected by private liberality,
cannot be found in the entire state.
Additionally,
recorded in the Von Tobel Scrapbooks, is the following:
The rock face was
of Harwinton granite. The roof has a snow break, the
leaders and gutters are 16 copper. Not a chisel mark
was allowedto show on the walls. The woodwork was done
by James Henderson of Westchester, N.Y. assisted by
E.G. Gibbs; and wood filing and varnishing by James
Smith & Sons. The carpets were ut in by Ross &
Palmer. The seats are of carved antique oak. The walls
are paneled with oiled white oak, beaded, the ceiling
diagonal. Fine carving in heavy oak is seen at the head
of the stairway. The entrance hall is tiled and at the
doorway are two polished columns. The tablet weighs
4,600 pounds and the average weight of the stones in
the watertable is 1,600 pounds. The dining room is yellow
pine, and has two antique oak tables and 40 chairs to
match. It is lighted by Rochester lamps, the audience
room three chandeliers. The platform has a very elaborate
desk and an oak and silk plush sofa. A Mason & Hamlin
organ is part of the gift. The kitchen has a Mott range.
A Harvey heater supplies abundant warmth. Outside, the
whole lot has been graded and turfed, and surrounded
with a neat fence, on the street side of iron in the
latest design. AN adjoining lot was purchased and a
line of new horsesheds erected thereon. The site commands
a fine view. Altogether the memorial is perfect and
is a great honor to the final sentiments of its projector.
