St. Joan of Arc Chapel

St. Joan of Arc Chapel
St. Joan of Arc Chapel, Marquette University
Basic information
Location Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Geographic coordinates 43°02′15″N 87°55′52″W / 43.03763°N 87.93108°W / 43.03763; -87.93108Coordinates: 43°02′15″N 87°55′52″W / 43.03763°N 87.93108°W / 43.03763; -87.93108
Affiliation Catholic
District Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee
State Wisconsin
Status Active
Website marquette.edu/chapel
Architectural description
Architect(s) Unknown for original design; Jacques Couëlle, John Russell Pope, Lucien David and Earnest Bonnamy in subsequent restorations
Architectural type Chapel
Architectural style Gothic
Completed c. 15th century for original structure
May 26, 1966 in Milwaukee
Materials Stone, wood

St. Joan of Arc Chapel is a Roman Catholic chapel today located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States, on the campus of Marquette University, in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. It was dedicated to St. Joan of Arc on 26 May 1966, after it had been moved from its previous location on Long Island, New York, United States. It was originally built in the Rhône River Valley in France.[1]

History

In France

Originally named "Chapelle de St. Martin de Seyssuel", the chapel was built over several generations in the French village of Chasse-sur-Rhône, south of Lyon.[2] It is estimated that it was erected around the 15th century. The building was abandoned after the French Revolution and fell into ruin.[3] After World War I, the young architect Jacques Couëlle rediscovered the chapel and negotiated its transfer to the home of Gertrude Hill Gavin, the daughter of James J. Hill, best known as the founder of the Great Northern Railway, in Brookville, New York, United States. Couëlle went so far as to refer to the chapel as "ce monument absolument unique en son genre" (the most absolutely unique monument of its kind).[4]

The chapel was shipped to New York in 1927 where it was reconstructed for Gertrude Hill Gavin, the new owner, by John Russell Pope. There it was attached to a French Renaissance chateau. Although the chateau burned down in 1962, the chapel was not damaged.

After Gavin died, her estate passed to Marc B. Rojtman and his wife, who decided to present the chapel to Marquette University in 1964.[1]

At Marquette University

The transfer of the chapel took more than nine months, and another eight months passed before reconstruction began. Lucien David and Earnest Bonnamy planned the second reconstruction.[1]

Features

St. Joan of Arc Chapel
  • When in New York, the famous Joan of Arc Stone was added to the chapel. According to legend, St. Joan of Arc prayed before a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary that stood on the stone, after which she habitually kissed the stone. Ever since, it is said to be colder than the stones that surround it.
  • The tomb of Chevalier de Sautereau, a former Chatelain of Chasse and "Compagnon d'Armes" of Bayard, is still located in the floor of the sanctuary.
  • The chapel features Christian artifacts that predate the original chapel, in some instances by multiple centuries, and which have been collected and displayed in the chapel, including ancient Spanish tapestries, coats of arms, crucifixes, and even a contemporary rooftop. It is one of the few exhibits of items from antiquity which visitors are permitted to handle or touch.
  • The stained glass windows are not original: Gertrude Hill Gavin, the owner of the chapel in New York, commissioned the windows. Charles J. Connick created and installed them in 1929. Connick modeled the color scheme of the windows on those of the stained glass windows in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "A History of the St. Joan of Arc Chapel". St. Joan of Arc Chapel website. Marquette University. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  2. ↑ Mary Ann, Sullivan. "St. Joan of Arc Chapel, Marquette University". Digital Imaging Project. Bluffton University. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  3. ↑ Trousil, Carrie. "The St. Joan of Arc Chapel at Milwaukee's Marquette University". About.com - Milwaukee. About.com. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  4. ↑ "St. Joan of Arc Chapel History". Marquette University. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  • St. Joan of Arc Chapel Home Page
  • Brief story and pictures
  • Colleen DuVall. "A secret in the city: St. Joan of Arc Chapel offers much more than picturesque views". Sacred Spaces // Marquette University.
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