Evening star., 1936-05-24
BY JESSIE FAINT EVANS.


In the entire world in which
there are chapels especially
designed and built for chill
dren. One is at Coventry, England.
The other is in the Washington Ca
thedral Of Saints Peter and Paul in
Mount Saint Alban.
Emphasizing the fact that the hopes
and fears of all the world rest in the
men and women of tomorrow. who are
the children of today, the Children's
Chapel in Washington Cathedral was
made possible through the generosity
Of Mr.. and Mrs. Roland Taylor of
Philadelphia. A memorial to their
little son, Roland Leslie. whose years
numbered only from 1905 until 1911, !,
it not only glorifes God by serving
little children. but commentaries for
the parents of children everywhere
precious memories of little ones whom
they have loved and lost.
Properly given place of honor. the
Children's Chapel is close to the heart
of the Cathedral. just east of the
south portal in the salient. which
marks the intersection of the Great
Choir and the south transept.
Christ, the Son of God, in flowing
white robe, his right arm raised in
blessing, is the central figure in one
of three inches over the Chapel's
altar. He is the Chapel's pervading
presence. AS you read the carved
words which He seems to speak. Il
am come that they might have life. -
the years slip away and the trusting
faith of childhood returns. To your
self. you reverently whisper the word,
Everlasting" SubconsciouSly, too. You
strive to recall these inspiring express
sions of Christ's love for children from
the tenth chapter of the Gospel of
st. Mark which reads: They brought
young children to Him that He should
teach them, and His disciples rebuked
them that brought them. but when
Jesus saw it. He was much displeaSed
and said unto them. Suffer the little
children to come unto me and forbid
them not, for of such is the kingdom
Of God"
Idea Originated During War.
During the World War, the presence
OF many unaccompanied children in
the churches and cathedrals of Eng
land hesitantly placing a flower or
two as they knelt before the altars
praying for the return of dear ones
separated from them by the grim ter
rors of war. bore in upon the con-
sCiousneSs of the dean of Chester
Cathedral. The need of designating
places of worship for children became
very real one.
Immediately after the armistice. the
dean in his parish church at Hawar-
den and in the cathedral itself at
Chester, provided specific places where
children might come to make their de-
votions Fitted with tables, chairs,
praying desks and suitable pictures of
a religious or spiritual nature. the
children themselves we're given the re-
sponsibilty for their proper care and
custody Throughout all England the
idea was taken up. man, other par
1shes and cathedrals following the
vision Of the Dean Of Chester.
Here, in our new world midst, Bishop
Freeman for the frs time in Amer1-
can church history. visualized in the
Washington Cathedral, chapel es-
pecially planned for children as an
integral part of the structure itself.
MFR and Mrs Taylor. who are also
the donors of the famous Pilgrim
steps which will one day constitute
the chief entrance to the Cathedral.
made it possible for this dream to
come true in the memorial chapel for
their little 6-year-old son.
A Greek cross with shallow non
symmetrical arms" was chosen as the
motif of the general design. Per-
fectly proportioned to a small scale.
the Children's Chapel gives a feeling
of SpaciousneSs along S'ith that ap-
peal which anything done in f,Inia-
ture always has to children and adults
alike.
Beautiful Gates at Entrance.
The Children's Chapel is set apart
from the Cathedral itself BY wrought
iron gates. Opening inward. they are
in all probability the most beautiful
and artistic examples of master
craftsmans art on the American con-
tinent. Their pattern comes close to
the heart of childhood itself The
handle which you turn 70 gain en-
trance is in the form of bird with
tts head hanging downward OF fas-
einating interest to children and adults
alike is the delicately fashioned detail
of leaf ornament and that Of the
little birds and animals winch con-
stitute the pattern of the squares that
make up the design. Samuel Yellin
the creator of the artistry in these
Urought-iron portals, has not OILY
won the Box and many other awards
for his craftsmanship. but through it
has done much for the advancement
of Christian idealism.
AS you step within the Chiidrens
Chapel you involuntarily pause in
reverence before the carved gold re-
redos which confronts you Occupy
ing the center of the main wall Of
the chapel behind and above the low
stone altar it is of linden wood over
laid in gold leaf with Biblical figures
and scenes in polychrome silhouette
against 1t.
Focusing your attention is the CEN
tral figure of the Christ giving you
His blessing. His pure white robes
are inumined by the gold tracings