Jonathan Cohen's photos with the keyword: Henry John Heinz

The Heinz Memorial Chapel began as a gift: Henry John Heinz, the founder of the H.J. Heinz Company, had it built in honour of his mother. Ground was broken for the chapel in 1933, the cornerstone was laid in 1934, and the building was dedicated in 1938. Charles Zeller Klauder of Philadelphia designed the building in a neo-Gothic style. The chapel’s modified cruciform plan, stone vaults, high ceilings, repeated arches, and extensive use of glass are typical of American academic and religious architecture from about 1900 until after World War II. Various religious services are held in the chapel, but it does not belong to any denomination. From its beginnings, the chapel was intended to be interdenominational. The chapel is open daily throughout the year except for University holidays, and hosts approximately 1,000 events annually. More than 100,000 people participate in religious services, weddings, concerts, classes, memorial services, and guided tours. Many simply seek its peace and beauty as a refuge.

The stained-glass windows are the work of Charles J. Connick’s Boston studio. Connick, a native of western Pennsylvania, received his early training in Pittsburgh. He was in the forefront of the movement that rediscovered 13th-century stained glass in Europe and established neo-Gothic as the American stained glass of choice in the first half of the 20th century. This panel is part of a window illustrating Psalm 107.

The tympanum, or recessed arch over the main portal, reflects both the medieval craft of pictorial instruction and the interest of Henry Heinz in the spiritual teachings of his church through his own Sunday school experiences, thus setting the theme for the entire Chapel. The main figure is that of the boy Jesus, relating His youthful revelation to the doctors in the Temple (Luke 2:46-57) . He holds a book inscribed with the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, Alpha and Omega, between which all human thought is contained. To the left of the figure of Jesus is the small figure of Moses with the Tables of Law. Beneath Moses, entwined within the branches of a Tree of Life design, are medallions with portraits of the Prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah, the Patriarchs Abraham and Jacob, the Priests Aaron and Melchezedech, and King David . On the right of the figure of Jesus is the small figure of St. Luke, beneath which are again medallions within a Tree of Life. These represent St. Luke’s and Jesus’ spiritual progeny: in charity, St. Francis of Assisi; in imagination, Leonardo da Vinci ; in understanding, Newton; in healing, Pasteur; in eloquence, Wordsworth; in leadership, Lincoln; in thought, Emerson. Outside, the insignia of Europe’s twelve oldest universities are carved on shields on the gables. Below that on the balustrade parapets are college and universities founded in the United States before 1820. The spandrels beneath show seals of those founded after 1820 and the seals of women’s colleges are on the buttresses.