Museum District in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Confederate Memorial Chapel

February 7, 2009

1. Confederate Memorial Chapel Marker

Inscription. The chapel was erected in 1887 in memory of the more than 260,000 Confederate war dead and as a place of worship for the veterans who resided here in the Robert E. Lee Camp Confederate Soldiers' Home. The veterans themselves, many of them disabled and impoverished, funded the construction. Marion J. Dimmock, Sr., designed the Gothic Revival structure and Joseph F. Wingfield built it. The chapel was used regularly until the last resident veteran died in 1941. The home was then closed and the buildings were demolished, except for the chapel and the Robinson House, the superintendent's dwelling. The chapel was restored in 1960-1961.

Erected 1999 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number SA-52.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.

Location. 37° 33.343′ N, 77° 28.569′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in the Museum District. It is on Grove Avenue 0.1 miles west of North Arthur Ashe Boulevard, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2900 Grove Avenue, Richmond VA 23221, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

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of this marker: A different marker also named Confederate Memorial Chapel (a few steps from this marker); Confederate Soldiers' Home (about 300 feet away); The Home For Needy Confederate Women (about 400 feet away); Slavery and Freedom (about 500 feet away); Robinson House (about 700 feet away); Park Lane (about 700 feet away); Rumors of War (about 700 feet away); 101 North Arthur Ashe Boulevard (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Other markers no longer nearby. Confederate Memorial Chapel (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); Residential Life at R. E. Lee Camp, No.1 (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Robinson House (was about 700 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . Confederate Memorial Chapel. National Register of Historic Places (Submitted on June 26, 2010.)

Confederate Memorial Chapel image. Click for full size.

February 7, 2009

2. Confederate Memorial Chapel

Robert E. Lee Camp Marker. image. Click for full size.

July 3, 2009

3. Robert E. Lee Camp Marker.

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts occupies the site of the Robert E. Lee Camp Confederate Soldier's Home.

Surviving building of the Confederate Soldier's Home. image. Click for full size.

July 3, 2009

4. Surviving building of the Confederate Soldier's Home.

Headquarters, The Soldier's Home, Richmond, Va. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Hugh C. Leighton Co., circa 1908

5. Headquarters, The Soldier's Home, Richmond, Va.

VCU Libraries Digital Collections - Rarely Seen Richmond

R.E. Lee Camp, Confederate Home, Richmond, Va. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Detroit Publishing Co.

6. R.E. Lee Camp, Confederate Home, Richmond, Va.

VCU Libraries Digital Collections - Rarely Seen Richmond

Confederate Memorial Chapel - Inside Gothic Door image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bobby J. Edwards, March 20, 2010

7. Confederate Memorial Chapel - Inside Gothic Door

Right exit Gothic designed Door of the Confederate War Memorial Chapel. Much of the Chapel Wood cut from the Grove of Oak Trees on the Soldiers Home Campus.

Memorial Chapel Mason and Hamlin Organ image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bobby J. Edwards, March 20, 2010

8. Memorial Chapel Mason and Hamlin Organ

The Mason and Hamlin Organ still works, and for special events such as Confederate Memorial Day Services, the Organ is played.

Chapel Pews and Gothic Stained Glass Windows image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bobby J. Edwards, March 20, 2010

9. Chapel Pews and Gothic Stained Glass Windows

Chapel Pews are dark brown Oak benches, and wrap in a curved pattern to the center. The stained glass windows are remarkable works of art and are true memorials to different Confederate Officers, with one Californian and other Virginians.

Confederate Memorial Chapel Arches, Dedication to 260,000 Confederate Dead image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bobby J. Edwards, March 20, 2010

10. Confederate Memorial Chapel Arches, Dedication to 260,000 Confederate Dead

The Confederate War Memorial Chapel, built from the efforts of war veterans was dedicated to the 260,000 Confederate Dead. The 3 Church Arches Speak to that dedication. The Veterans inscribed in gold gilt lettering on the Chapel Chancel Arch, “In memory of the Confederate dead
In this place I will give thee peace
Saith the Lord of Host”

Photographed by Bobby J. Edwards, April 15, 2010

11. Confederate Memorial Chapel Marker

To The Glory of God And in Memory of Members of R. E. LEE CAMP No. 1 United Confederate Veterans Who Owned The Soil Here Had Their Abode in This Area Worshipped and Were Buried From This Chapel With Affectionate Dedication By United Daughters of The Confederacy - 1960

42-pdr Seacoast Gun - Rifled and Banded image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, February 27, 2011

12. 42-pdr Seacoast Gun - Rifled and Banded

Displayed in front of the chapel is this seacoast gun, used by the Confederates during the Civil War. Originally cast by West Point Foundry, New York in 1856. During the war, Confederates had the gun rifled with a wrought iron reinforcing band added for strength. The muzzle was also trimmed down (possibly for use in ironclad ships). The gun saw service at Fort Sumter, South Carolina, and was recovered there in the 20th century.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 23, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 6, 2009. This page has been viewed 4,837 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 6, 2009. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 4, 2009. 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on April 1, 2010, by Bobby J. Edwards of Yorktown, Virginia. 11. submitted on April 28, 2010, by Bobby J. Edwards of Yorktown, Virginia. 12. submitted on February 28, 2011, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.