Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1924-01-25
LEE CHAPEL WILL
REMAIN UNALTERED

The historic Lee chapel at Washing
ton and Lee university which contains
the recum bent statue of Robert E.
Lee, by Valentine, and is often de-
scribed as 'the Shrine of the South"
will femain undisturbed for the pres
ent, according to resolution adopted
Saturday at the semi-annual meeting
of the board of trustees, dropping all
present plans for building a new me-
mortal chapel and thanking the United
Daughters of the Confederacy for their
interest.
The board of trustees met with a
committee from the United Daughters
of the Confederacy composed of Mrs.
Frank Harold, of Georgia, newly
elected president general; Mrs. Liv-
ingston Bowe Schuyler, of New York,
former president general; Mrs. Edwin
Coffigan, of Charles City, Va, presi-
dent of the Virginia division, and Mrs.
James A Scott, former present of the
Virginia division.
The decision brings to an end long
controversy between the board of the
university and many members of the
Virginia division, who objected to the
plans for the chapel. as they entailed
altering materially the old chapel and
moving the statue of Lee.
The Virginia division and their fol-
towers put themselves on record as
Directing to any change in the historic
chapel whatever, except re-proofing
it. In vain representatives of the uni
versity and even members of the U.
D. c. attempted to prove that the
chapel would be held sacred in any
building plans carried out, but the
Virginia U. D. c. reiterated their
statement that they would not have
the building touched or anything at
tached to it, not even handsome new
memorial chapel to Lee.
A committee in each State division
of the U. D. C. has been busy for the
last few years raising money for the
memorial chapel.
The resolution passed by the board
of trustees of the university was as fol-
lows:
Resolved, that the board of trus-
tees of the Washington and Lee uni
versity is deeply sensible and appreci-
alive of the interest which the United
Daughters of the Confederacy have
exhibited in the plans to dignity the
Lee chapel and its sacred surroundings
and sincerely grateful for the generous
sentiments which have been expressed
by members and officers of that or
ganization. 1t will welcome their con-
tinued interest in the university as a
scene OF Lees labors and the guardian
OF the South's most sacred shrine.
Resolved, that in the opinion Of
the board, it is inexpedient to pro-
coed further with the plans hereto
fore proposed and discussed in rela-
ton to the Lee chapel"
| A resolution was also passed for
proper fireproofing of the chapel.
| The Lee chapel is small pictur-
Iesque vine grown Gothic building in
the rear Of the university. The statue
of Lee liues in an alcove, and SO life
like is the work of the sculptor that
to the lovers of the traditions of the
South their leader seems only to sleep.
1t was in this little chapel that Gen.
Lee came after Appomattox as he had
SO many times before during the war.
Many pilgrimages of members, socie
ties and schools come TO the univer.
sity to see the chapel and the statue
of Lee each year and motorists stop Il
pay tribute to the great Lee.
n The annual Founders day, Lee
jackson celebration was held at ths
: university Saturday. The address wa,
4 made by George Gordon Battle, o
Q New York, who spoke on the relation
: of Gen. Robert E. Lee TO his father
/ Gen. Lee-Light Horse Harry Lee
John w. Davis, former Ambassador t,
Great Britain. introduced Mr.. Battle.