The Architecture of 1886
The following information is from historical records in the New York Times, the Newport Mercury and the Providence Journal.
The Structure
The Gothic-designed Belmont Chapel, conceived by George C. Mason & Son Architects, was built by William Gosling in 1886. Its dimensions are:
Nave: 34′ long by 21′ wide; Chancel: 16′ long by 11′ wide; and a robing room and tower
No wood is used in any part of the building except for the roof, domes, and staff heads holding the window sashes. The exterior is built of a rich, warm, reddish-brown sandstone from the Carlisle quarries of Springfield, MA. The stone was laid up rock faced and random squared. The porch and bell stage tower is of stone inside and out. The roof is covered with yellow pine and dark blue slate. The trusses, resting on stone corbels are of yellow pine as well. Copper is used for the gutters, leaders, finials, etc.
The walls are wainscoted with dark brown and red enameled brick to the height of four feet. Above the wainscot was plastered directly onto the brick and finished with a rough surface known as “carpet floated,” and will be delicately colored a light green. Throughout the chapel building a double wall has been built with an air chamber between, so that no damp air can find its way into the structure.
The floors are formed of brick arches sprung between iron beams and leveled up with Neufchâtel asphalt and Portland cement. They are lead in mosaic tiling, the body of one color, dark brown and the wide border of intricate design in many colors. The steps leading to the chancels are rubbed bluestone.
Stained Glass Windows
There are fourteen windows in the chapel building. Five in the Nave, five in the chancel and four in the steeple. Some of the windows are backed by a yellow protective glass, which makes the effect much darker than would be the case were ordinary plate glass used. The chancel windows, created by E.S. Oudinot of Paris, France included the large window behind the altar and the four small square windows on either side wall of the chancel. E.S. Oudinot is also thought to have designed the window to the immediate right of the chapel nave entrance, believed to have been a depiction of the Guardian Angel.
The three Nave Windows, designed by Luc-Olivier Merson of Paris and executed by Gaudin from the Merson designs. Made specifically for the chapel they include the window above the front door and the two large windows on either side of the nave. The window to the left of the nave was made by Tiffany and Company. The steeple has four windows, two facing the font of the building and two facing west over the side door.
The Belmont Chapel: Beautiful Altar and Furnishings
by Francis Girl
The Belmont Memorial Chapel is completed, so far as relates to the structure, but one after another beautiful feature has been added to the interior, and of these the most striking is the altar, recently placed in the chapel– an exquisite work of art that is the admiration of every one of who has been so fortunate as to see it. It is seven feet in length and is composed of Caen stone and different marbles with onyx columns, the later polished like gems.
The center panel bears the sacred monogram, in each of the others there is a cross in relief, and over all are vines delicately carved and tenderly clinging to every point that offers support– cut by hands that realized how beautiful they are and how appropriately used for ornamentation. The corners of the altar are supported by life-size kneeling cherubs, whose flowing robes and graceful wings blend in and make a part of the structure, their hands clasped upon their breasts, and their eyes raised heavenward with a look of love and adoration.