PhenoMNal Twin Cities

The Byzantine Chapel at Lakewood Cemetery is really a sight to be seen!

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.

The chapel dome is 65 feet high and ringed with stained-glass windows that serve as a sundial telling the time of day and season. Four large mosaic figures representing Love, Hope, Faith and Memory are situated on the side walls below the dome. The figures were based on paintings by Lamb’s wife, Ella Condie Lamb, a noted portrait artist of her time.

To see this chapel for yourself and learn more about it’s importance and history, visit Lakewood’s Administration Building (first building when you enter the front gates) and ask Lakewood staff if they are able to open the chapel for you. While there, pick up a complimentary copy of the chapel tour guide and visit the exhibit “Lakewood Memorial Chapel: 1910 to Today” in the lower level.  Other tour guides, including one on symbolism can be found here.  All tours are free!

You may also want to check out some of Lakewood’s one-of-a-kind monuments while you’re at the cemetery.

Lakewood Cemetery & Chapel
3600 Hennepin Ave. S
Minneapolis, MN 55408