Beautiful chapel built to last

Dome of Lakewood Memorial Chapel

Large mosaic figure representing memory

Yesterday I went to a funeral at the Lakewood Memorial Chapel in South Minneapolis.  This stunning beautiful chapel was designed by Minneapolis architect Harry Wild Jones and completed in 1910.  It was, at the time, the only building in the United States with an authentic mosaic interior.  The chapel stands almost completely unchanged in appearance since the day it was built.

Highly skilled mosaic craftsmen from Italy came to Minneapolis to install the 10 million mosaic pieces in this exquisite example of Byzantine art.

 Lakewood Memorial Chapel Exterior

The dome of the chapel displays twelve angels. On all four corners are angles holding red roses, symbolizing the four corners of the earth.  The extended wings of the angels reflecting their protective spirit.

Four large mosaic figures on the lower corners of the dome represent Love, Hope, Memory and Faith.

Over one century ago the trustees of Lakewood Cemetery Association invested in the best quality materials and artistry. The result is a lasting architectural jewel, which in 1983 was added to the National Register of Historic Places.