Art in Christ the King ChapelBy: Meghan Warner, Char

Lichtinger, and Kelly Lysowski

Art in Christ the King Chapel

Contextual Information

Inquiry

When was the chapel built?

What is the story behind the mural?

What is the meaning and symbolism behind the stain glass windows?

Is it true that there are people buried in the chapel?

Is there significance behind the floor tiles and the architecture?

How long did it take to build?

Why is the lighting so dark in the chapel?

How many people can the church hold?

What else is the chapel used for?

Who created the Stations of the Cross and how were they made?

Variety of mediums

Historical background

Clay Statues

Tissue paper mosaic

narrative

Web mosaic

Symbol and drawings

Mercyhurst and Sisters of Mercy History

Symbols

1933

Queens Chapel

Life and times of Christ

Activities

Questioning

What I Notice: See

What I Notice: Feel

What I Notice: Smell

What I Notice: Hear

Other Sensory Noticings

Questions That AriseWhen was the chapel built?What is the story behind the mural?What is the meaning and symbolism behind the stain glass windows?Is it true that there are people buried in the chapel?Is there significance behind the floor tiles and the architecture?How long did it take to build?Why is the lighting so dark in the chapel?How many people can the church hold?What else is the chapel used for?Who created the Stations of the Cross and how were they made?

The Mural

The Sisters of Mercy used pictorial drawings to capture the historical flavor of their religious congregation.

Created by Rambusch of New York and Philadelphia.

Has the theme of Christ the King and the Sisters of Mercy

Celebrates the Sisters mission

A History of the Chapel

At the center is a Mosaic of Christ crowned; at one side, a panel shows Christ as the Infant King in Mary’s arms, accepting the gifts from the Magi

Parts of the Mural

On the other side, Christ stands before Pilate and his accusers. This scene is when Pilate asks Christ, “Art thou a king, then?”

The Sisters’ Mission of Mercy, both corporal and spiritual, is shown in the lower part of the mural. In the center panel the Sister clothed in a black habit represents the teaching arts; the one in white, the healing arts; between them, a young girl represents youth.

On the side panels, another Sister represents the art of counseling; and a Sister in white, caring for a soldier, recalls the Sisters of Mercy service in the Civil Wars.

Pope Gregory XVI and Archbishop John Mark Gannon, the first chancellor of Mercyhurst stand behind the image of the sisters.

Pope Gregory is holding a book which has a replica of the first convent of the Sisters of Mercy in Dublin, Ireland on it.

Queen’s ChapelThe large Lady window takes its details from an ancient Byzantine painting where the artist shows Mary holding her Son who had fled to her arms after seeing two angels holding the instruments of torture which would later be the agents of His suffering.

The altar of dark marble is and Italian import, and the crucifix and candlesticks are of precious amber glass. Gold-leaf fleur-de-lis, one of Mary’s symbols, decorates the walls. The ceiling is a pattern similar to the main chapel.

Queen’s Chapel was not part of the original design of the main chapel structure. It was designed by James O’Neil’s (who the memory the main chapel is dedicated) wife. Within the Queen’s Chapel it was planned that Mr. and Mrs. O’Neil and his sisters would be buried. The tombs are present, but empty. The chapel is in dedication to Mary, Lady of Perpetual HelpReplica of a medieval chapel in England that Mrs. O’Neil would visit frequently when she lived there.

Stained Glass Windows in the Chapel

There are seven stained glass windows in Christ the King Chapel detailing Important Biblical stories and images of Jesus’ life. There are also several smaller windows and a large window in Queen’s Chapel.

Stations of the Cross

The Chapel holds 14 beautiful mosaics of the stations of the cross along the walls. They were created by an artist from Cuba. They were painted and then covered in glass to depict the passion of Jesus.

Other Artistic Media in the Chapel

Icon Image of Mary and Jesus

Tapestry hanging on wall of Chapel

Statue of Mary located in front of the alter.

Personal Connections

We are all practicing Catholics and we found the art work in this chapel beautiful. The symbolism was done very creatively as well. We found a deeper connection once learning the history behind the mural. This chapel was not only connected to us via our faith but also as apart of our school history. The chapel reminded us all of the times we used to go to mass and celebrate holidays and sacraments as children.

Line of Inquiry

How does Christ the King Chapel incorporate a variety of artistic media to create an aesthetically pleasing environment with a historical background of Mercyhurst College?

ActivitiesCreate own mosaic/stain glass window using tissue paper

Use mosaic website to create a picture of themselveshttp://click7.org/image-mosaic-generator/?create

Each student can pick one art piece in the chapel (window, statue, Station of the cross, etc.) and write a story narrative.

Clay statues.

Using the altar mural as inspiration the students will create a story of their life (past, present, and future), they will include their goals in life, significant people and events, and anything they feel is important using only drawings and symbols.

The End!Hope you

enjoyed our Presentation!