Memorial Church, Appleton Chapel
Address23, Harvard Yard, Cambridge, MA, United States of America, 02138
Site Number305
Building Root Number
00600
Architect (Original)
Coolidge, Shepley, Bulfinch, and Abbott
Building Acquired
1932
Constructed 1932
Constructed 1932
StatusActive
Site Name HistoryThe site is named after its function and after Samuel Appleton, who donated funds for the original building on the site.Historical NotesMemorial Church was dedicated in 1932 as a religious worship space and memorial to Harvard soldiers, originally those who fought in World War I. The building was designed by Coolidge Shepley Bulfinch and Abbott of Boston. The building occupies the same site as the original Appleton Chapel which was constructed in 1858 largely through funds donated by Samuel Appleton. Memorial Church was funded through gifts from alumni. The church bell was a gift from Harvard president Abbott Lawrence Lowell "in memory of voices that are hushed."Additional Information
Appleton Chapel
Harvard University Archives. Construction Management Records, ca. 1953-1986. Harvard University Archives call number UAV 298.8000
Williams, Gabrielle M. “Memorial Church to Undergo Renovations.” Harvard Crimson, 19 Feb. 2016, https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2016/2/19/memorial-church-renovation-plans/.
Harvard University. Appleton Chapel. General Information by and about Appleton Chapel. Harvard University Archives HUB 1152
Harvard University. Photographic Views of Memorial Church, 1931-1986. 1931. Harvard University Archives HUV 53.1
“Harvard Alumni Join to Dedicate Memorial Church.” Harvard Crimson, 10 Nov. 1932, https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1932/11/10/harvard-alumni-join-to-dedicate-memorial/.
Virtue, Jordan E. “Memorial Church Re-Opens With Fanfare.” Harvard Crimson, 13 Feb. 2017, https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2017/2/13/memorial-church-reopens/.
Williams, Gabrielle M. “Memorial Church to Undergo Renovations.” Harvard Crimson, 19 Feb. 2016, https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2016/2/19/memorial-church-renovation-plans/.
“5 Dedicate Harvard Memorial Church.” Cambridge Tribune, 28 Oct. 1932, p. 4.
Harvard University. Memorial Church. General Information by and about Memorial Church, Approxmiately 1926-undated. 1926. Harvard University Archives HUB 1555.2
Harvard University Archives. Photographic Views of Memorial Church, 1931-1986. 1931. Harvard University Archives HUV 53.1
Harvard University. Planning Group. Views of Harvard and Memorial Church Steeple 1988 August. 1988. Harvard University Archives UAV 697.3488.1p
Weber, Paul J. Photographs of Harvard University Buildings and Grounds Taken by Paul J. Weber, Ca. 1929-1931 and 1939. Harvard University Archives call number HUV 2329
