My Auntie Ag is buried in Lakewood Cemetery. So are my paternal grandparents Torkel and Elizabeth. Torkel left Norway when he was 17 years old. After he established himself in America he went back and married his sweetheart, Elizabeth, and brought her back to America.
The Lakewood Cemetery is in the heart of the city of Minneapolis. Roads meander the rolling hills through the cemetery that overlooks Lake Calhoun, with lovely majestic trees, stately monuments, large head stones and grave makers. There is a large, modern mausoleum but the hidden gem is the Lakewood Memorial Chapel. On a recent visit I brought my friend to see this chapel that is on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s an amazing piece of architecture, completed in 1910, that stands alone in it’s lovely spot without much fanfare.
The website explains:
“The chapel interior was created by New York designer Charles Lamb and many consider it the most perfect example of Byzantine mosaic art in the United States. In 1909, Lamb traveled to Rome to enlist the services of six highly accomplished mosaic artists who had just recently completed a project in the Vatican. The artists created more than 10 million mosaic pieces, called tessellae, from marble, colored stone, and glass fused with gold and silver. The artists then traveled to Minneapolis to assemble the work inside the chapel. Upon its completion in 1910, the Lakewood Memorial chapel was the only building in the country with an authentic mosaic interior.”
Imagine that…10 million pieces of tile and the designs created are stunning! It’s an marvelous piece of art that is worth seeing.
Years ago I attended my step mom’s father’s memorial service at the Lakewood Cemetery Chapel. I was in awe of the beauty surrounding me. Your post reminded me that I want to visit it again. Thank you for sharing.
What a lovely place of peace and art.