About UsVirtual Tour
Click on a red arrow to visit a particular section of the Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel.
The Altar Area
As you enter the Chapel the altar area or chancel area will be prominent. The altar and all of the other wooden pieces in the chancel area such as; the pulpit, lectern, communion rail are all made of a close grain plain white oak and are original pieces.
The altar is in memoriam Levi Longfellow 1842-1926 a Pioneer Patriot, given by his daughters. The communion rail is dedicated to General James Knapp Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution.
On the right side of the altar area is the pulpit which is dedicated to the Minnesota Society Sons of the American Revolution. The pulpit has a hand-carved front representing the American Revolution.
The lectern located on the left side of the altar area is dedicated to Captain John Holmes Chapter of D.A.R. 1928.
The three stained glass windows above the altar were placed in the Chapel when it was built. This three-panel chancel will serve as a memorial to Dr. Stewart, who served as Regimental Surgeon with the 1st Minnesota Infantry, U.S. Volunteers in the Civil War. This window was manufactured by Andreas R. Larson of Minneapolis, and was installed before the dedication of the Chapel, June 10, 1928.
The themes of the window are as follows; the first panel is St. Luke, the physician. In the lower medallion, it shows surgeons caring for the wounded; and, in the upper medallion St. Luke writing the Gospel.
The center panel is the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child. She represents the Mother’s share in giving and helping the great cause; and Christ to center all activities. In the medallion are two nurses assisting a wounded soldier. The top medallion is symbolic of the victory over material struggle by absolute dependence on Divine Guidance - the soldiers carrying the ark and sounding the trumpets around the walls of Jericho.
The third panel is represented by Jesus the Christ, and His teaching and acts and examples left for us. In the lower medallion, the dead; and in the top medallion, shows Christ first reading in the Temple which was Isaiah’s prophesy.
As you look to the right of the altar a Blue Star Service Flag is hanging just below the eternal flame. This flag will remain on display until all of our mobilized troops return home from the “War on Terrorism.” Other flags that will be present during all worship services are the American flag; POW/MIA flag and the Minnesota State flag. They along with the cross are carried into the chancel area every Sunday.
The altar area provides seating for large choirs. The Foundation is blessed
with a wonderful array of musicians throughout the year that make use of
this area.
