Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-03-20
Copitors New Prayer Room Will Open This Week
Dignified But Simple
Chapel Designed
For All Foiths
By HaroId B. Rogers

The Capitol's new religious
room for prayer and medita-
ton" will be ready this week for
individual use by members Of the
House and Senate.
Located on the famous rotunda
floor on the House side Of the
Capitol, almost under the dome.
the little room has been virtually
completed in simple. dignified,
but impressive style. It Is fur
nished principally with stained
glass window. altar. candles and
the American nag.
No religious ceremonies are to
be held there. No dedication
function is planned. The prayer
room is not for the public. It
has been equipped 50 that no
symbol would be offensive to any
religious believer.
Authorized by Congress.
Prepared by architect Of the
Capitol, J. George Stewart. with
the advice from several sources,
the facility was authorized by
Congress.
The concurrent resolution
adopted by both House and Sen
ate provided the prayer room"
should be for individual use
rather than assemblies" and be
fitted with appropriate symbols
of religious unity and freedom
Of worship"
All the symbols, according to
Representative Hays, Democrat,
of Arkansas, sponsor of the
prayer room legislation, are
compatible with our belief in
the separation of church and
state and our complete commit
ment to the ideal Of freedom Of
worship"
Dominated by the stained glass
window, contributed anonymous
ly by group of designers and
craftsmen from o California
studio. the room il marked by
dignity. It Is done in tones Of
blue. The rug Is dark blue. The
simple arm chairs are uphol-
stored in Q lighter blue leather.
The walls are Of q pastel shade.
On the altar made Of white
oak Is an open Bible, and at the
base Of the window are two vases
Of freshly-cut flowers from the
Botanic Garden.
The chapel Is illuminated BY
shielded wall lights, and two
7-pronged candelabra which are
placed before the altar, one on
each side. =,
Flag in One Corner
Directly in front Of each can
delabrum Is a prie-dieu, an &C.
clesiastical kneeling bench, also
Of white oak.
The American flag stands In
one corner as q symbol Of free
dom Of worship.
The window is protected on
the outside from weather BY
clear glass window. The men
who designed and Fabricated the
window were represented as CIV |
ing 1t "as a thank Offering to
this country" They said they
desired to dedicate it to those !
men who have in the past sought /
Gods guidance and to those I
who presently determine the
destiny of this Nation by the
inspiration Of their decisions"
In the center of the window
on a background Of ruby glass
from England. France and Ger
many. Is the kneeling figure of /
George Washington, represent
ing the people of the United
States in prayer. Etched behind
the figure are the words of the
first verse Of the 10th Psalm,
Preserve me. o God, for in
Thee do put my trust" The
main body of the window is
composed Of glass from West
Virginia and Indiana.
Upper and lower medallions
represent the two sides of the
Great Seal of the United States.
In the background are Is stars
and the names of the original
States. The border has been
formed Of a laurel wreath with
names Of the other States of
the Union. Space has been left
for one more State. Others may
be added by cutting across the
laurel border and inserting q
nameplace.
"WOrd IL q Lamp"
In the two corners are shown
q book and q candle, represent
ing the Holy Scriptures and the
quotation Of the 105th verse of
the 10th Psalm. "Thy word is q
lamp unto my feet and a light
unto my path" /
The congressional committee
designated by former House
Speaker Martin. Republican, of
Massachusetts, to arrange for
equipment Of the chapel consists
Of Mr.. Hays. Representative
Katherine st. George. Republi-
can. Of New York and Repre-
sentative lie Compile, Republi-
can. Of Iowa.
Religious leaders consulted on
the propriety Of the symbols to
be used were: The Rev. DR..
Frederick Brown Harris, Senate
chaplain: the Rev. DR.. Bernard
Braskamp. House chaplain;
Rabbi Norman Gerstenfeld, min
lister of the Washington Hebrew
Congregation. and Father Ed
ward j. Hermann, assistant
chancellor of the Archdiocese of
Washington. Il