Earlier this week I was in downtown Richmond for work. I was walking along and saw a historical marker that read "Confederate Memorial Chapel." So I had to check it out.



The chapel was build on the grounds of the Robinson Plantation on land donated for what became R.E. Lee Camp Confederate Soldier's Home in the 1880's. This was a large residential complex for southern veteran's that operated from 1885 to 1941. Some three thousand veteran's at one time or another lived here. The chapel was a non-denominational church that veteran's used as a house of worship. It was revitalized during the Civil War centennial.



It's worth visiting, as it has some beautiful stain glass art symbolic of the time.








Outside, walking in there is a cannon mounted that was taken from Ft. Sumter.



This was a great piece of history that I was unaware of. But I've been exploring as much of it as I can since moving up here. I'm trying to see as much of it as I can before it's all ripped down and trampled. I was shocked it wasn't covered in graffiti since it's only a block or so from Monument Avenue.

Anyways, I'd say it's worth the 30 minutes to check out. When I went I was the only visitor. A kindly black man was sitting up front and asked me to sign the visitor log. We chatted for a few minutes, he said folks just don't understand why this stuff is important. Now I don't know if he meant good or bad, and I didn't ask but when I sat in one of the pews, there was a distinct feeling or reverence.

Thank you! I’m surprised the Chapel is still standing. It is beautiful, whether gray or blue.

When my wife and I married in 1992, we looked into having the ceremony there, which was possible at the time. It no longer allows weddings. The rumor was that this was after a black couple's request to marry there was turned down.

I forgot all about the chapel and I have only been gone 3 years.

For about 16 years I used to bike and run by the chapel about 3 days a week or so.

It is gorgeous especially in the early morning during the spring when the sun is starting to come up.

I hope the woke crowd and the ridiculous excuse for a mayor doesn't not desecrate or touch it.

I have to run to Richmond for a dental appt. I am definitely going to make it a point to stay the night so I can visit the Chapel.

I live two blocks from the chapel. The left has taken over my state and my city: I pray that the chapel will get a pass but I ain't holding my breath.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Shugart:
I live two blocks from the chapel. The left has taken over my state and my city: I pray that the chapel will get a pass but I ain't holding my breath.

Hope that they don't learn about it.

It is a beautiful place with lovely windows!

flashguy

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jim Shugart:
I live two blocks from the chapel. The left has taken over my state and my city: I pray that the chapel will get a pass but I ain't holding my breath.[/QUOTE
I grew up in Northside and rode by the Jackson statue every morning on the way to high school. I refuse to go anywhere near Monument Ave, since the events of last Spring. It's difficult enough to see the photos.

Update..
I know this is an old thread but I wanted update my experience..

For the past two days I was in Richmond doing the usual bachelor things.... Dentist, Car inspected, finally shopping at Duluth etc..

The one item on my list was to visit the chapel in case the cancel culture morons want to try to close it. It was a great time, and I thoroughly enjoyed my visit. I watched the weather forecast and was worried it would rain out my visit but the rain held out till the very end and it started as I reached my car.

I was also able to visit the newly renovated Robinson house and was able to learn more in those couple hours than i did when I went to Ohio State. This was due to a wonderful member of the staff who kept me glued for over an hour with histories and stories.

As I stated in one of my other posts I used
to bike and run by the chapel about 3 days a week or so for about 16 years. I forgot how interesting and diverse the architecture is from building to building and house to house.

Would be nice if some wealthy conservative could purchase and relocate this entire structure to a private, secure parcel.

I visited Hollywood cemetery just 2 weeks ago. It was a cold & rainy Saturday and was amazed at the number of folks also there. So many CW figures resting there including three former presidents. Douglas Southhall Freeman is also there in a prominent location. Always enjoyed his work.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Shugart:
I live two blocks from the chapel. The left has taken over my state and my city: I pray that the chapel will get a pass but I ain't holding my breath.

I'm still amazed the flag is still flying in Hollywood Cemetery,
but then again, most folks don't know who is buried down by the river

quote:

Originally posted by Graniteguy:
Would be nice if some wealthy conservative could purchase and relocate this entire structure to a private, secure parcel.

would be nice if the city got 'woke' and realized how many potential tourist have said 'fuggit' and decided to not visit RVA,


best thing is that chapel is kinda hidden,



still pisses me off that this city is too narrow minded and short sighted to capitalize on the monuments and history and the potential tourist $$$

marketed correctly, it would be a great historical destination,

not any longer,,,

Very cool, thanks for sharing the pics.

Lyman

That has been the problem for years,(well until this new carpetbagger Governor and that pathetic mayor was elected)

It was a big split between:

You had some who loved the monuments along with all the tourism money they brought

Then you had some who hated the monuments but loved all the tourism money they brought to help keep taxes and the cost of living down.

Then some people are miserable no matter what.

When it gets nice my next trip is to Hollywood Cemetery. I have been in the past but did not really see it for what it truly is.

Pamplin park is another great place to spend a Saturday or Sunday.

quote:

Originally posted by mrapteam666:
Lyman

That has been the problem for years,(well until this new carpetbagger Governor and that pathetic mayor was elected)

It was a big split between:

You had some who loved the monuments along with all the tourism money they brought

Then you had some who hated the monuments but loved all the tourism money they brought to help keep taxes and the cost of living down.

Then some people are miserable no matter what.

When it gets nice my next trip is to Hollywood Cemetery. I have been in the past but did not really see it for what it truly is.

Pamplin park is another great place to spend a Saturday or Sunday.

I don't think there exist any happy Democrats, and they don't want anyone else to be happy, either.

flashguy

quote:

Originally posted by Graniteguy:Would be nice if some wealthy conservative could purchase and relocate this entire structure to a private, secure parcel.

What an awful and damning statement that is, in 21st century America.

It is a truly terrible thing to think that a house of G*D dedicated to over 200,000 Americans killed in an American civil war, should even be thought of as under threat of desecration and damage, or worse, destruction.

Friends, I am so, so saddened to read that.

Virginia typically has gotten about 25 billion in tourist $/yr; Richmond about 2 billion $/yr. I suspect that shit is mostly in our past.
As I've said before the left could fuck up a steel bearing with a rubber mallet.

Think about a Biden child having a temper tantrum and turning things upside down.

Remember when the Taliban blew up centuries-old Buddhist statues and many of us thought
"How horrible to live in a country like that?"

quote:

Originally posted by John Steed:
Remember when the Taliban blew up centuries-old Buddhist statues and many of us thought
"How horrible to live in a country like that?"

Yes.