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Appleton Chapel [Demolished]
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Appleton Chapel [Demolished]

Address1800, Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA, United States of America, 02138
Site Number1528
Building Root Number N/A
PIRC Site Number 1528
Architect (Original) Paul Schulze
Dedicated 10/16/1858
Constructed 1856
Building Acquired 1856
Demolished 1931
StatusInactive
Site Name HistoryThe site is named after Samuel Appleton, a Harvard benefactor and Boston industrialist.Historical NotesDesigned by architect Paul Schulze, Appleton Chapel stood with its long axis at right angles to Gore Hall and University Hall on the site where Memorial Church now stands. The chapel stood apart from other buildings in the yard due, in part, to its light Nova Scotia sandstone and off-center tower.

In 1872 the acoustics of the chapel were improved and the seating was increased to a capacity of 900 by architects Peabody and Stearns. Commencement exercises were held here from 1872 to 1876. Additional renovations took place in 1886 and 1919. Appleton Chapel was demolished in 1931 to make way from Memorial Church.
Additional Information
Harvard University Archives. Harvard University. Corporation. Buildings Papers on Appleton Chapel, 1855-1928 : An Inventory. 8 Oct. 2013. http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.ARCH:hua19001
Appleton Chapel, Harvard College, Cambridge, Mass. 1850-1920. Boston Public Library, Print Department., Boston. Web. Local Accession Number: 06_11_000913
Chapel of Harvard College 1850-1920. Boston Public Library, Print Department., Boston. Web. Local Accession Number: 06_11_000908
Harvard University. Corporation. Buildings Papers on Appleton Chapel, 1855-1857 and 1928. 1855. Harvard University Archives UAI 15.60 [Appleton Chapel inscription, cornerstone list, and pew assignments ]
Harvard University. Corporation. Buildings Papers on Appleton Chapel, 1855-1857 and 1928. 1855. Harvard University Archives UAI 15.60.5 [Appleton Chapel drawings, 1855 ]
Harvard University. Corporation. Buildings Papers on Appleton Chapel, 1855-1857 and 1928. 1855. Harvard University Archives UAI 15.60.7 [Schulze, Paul. Appleton Chapel elevations, 1857 ]
Hurlbut, Byron Satterlee. A Guide Book to the Grounds and Buildings of Harvard University. Cambridge: U, 1898. Print.
Maycock, Susan E., and Charles Sullivan. Building old Cambridge: architecture and development. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press, 2016. Print. Lamont Library call number NA735.C28 M39 2016; Loeb Design Library call number NA735.C28 M39 2016.
The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. "Appleton chapel." The New York Public Library Digital Collections. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e0-6bd4-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. "Chapel, Harvard College, Cambridge, Mass." The New York Public Library Digital Collections. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e0-6c10-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
“Harvard Advances Plans for Memorial Chapel.” Cambridge Tribune, 14 Mar. 1931, p. 1.
“Appleton Chapel Goes.” Cambridge Tribune, 8 Aug. 1931, p. 2.
“Demolition of Appleton Chapel Will Be Completed This Week.” Daily Boston Globe, 5 Aug. 1931, p. 11.
Harvard University. General Information by and about Appleton Chapel. Harvard University Archives call number HUB 1152.