Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel

Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel is a chapel in Bella Vista, Arkansas, designed by E. Fay Jones and Maurice Jennings and constructed in 1988.[1] The chapel was commissioned by John A. Cooper, Sr. to honor Mildred Borum Cooper, his late wife.[2] The chapel was designed to celebrate both God and his creations.[3]

Cooper Chapel
Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel
Interior of the chapel
Exterior of the chapel
Cooper Chapel is located in Arkansas
Cooper Chapel
Cooper Chapel
Location in Arkansas
Cooper Chapel is located in the United States
Cooper Chapel
Cooper Chapel
Cooper Chapel (the United States)
36°28′40″N 94°14′43″W / 36.47778°N 94.24528°W / 36.47778; -94.24528
CountryUnited States
Websitewww.cooperchapel.com
History
StatusOpen
Founded1991 (1991)
Founder(s)Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel Foundation
Architecture
Heritage designationNominated to NRHP, June 5, 1996
Architect(s)Fay Jones
Architectural typeModerne
StyleGothic (influences)
Groundbreaking1988
Specifications
Length84 feet (26 m)
Width24 feet (7.3 m)
Height54 feet (16 m)
Number of floorsOne
Floor area2,016 square feet (187.3 m2)
MaterialsSteel, glass

Located on a wooded site along Lake Norwood, the chapel has become a popular tourist destination in Northwest Arkansas. It is also popular as a venue for wedding ceremonies.

Architecture

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Interior view of the chapel

Jones apprenticed with Frank Lloyd Wright, and designed a building with numerous windows open to the landscape.

Jones used 31 tons of steel and 4,460 square feet of glass[1] to create a series of tall, vertical Gothic arches that run the length of the chapel.[4] Though it looks like an open-air structure, the chapel is glass-enclosed and air conditioned.

Soon after completion, the chapel was praised; a critic said that it "quietly commands a dignity and presence uncommon among buildings of our era."[5]

About Mildred Borum Cooper

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Mildred Borum Cooper, born and raised in Arkansas, spent much of her life in service to her people and community.[1] She was president of United Methodist Women's organizations, served in the Girl Scout organization, worked as postmistress, and organized the first garden club, home extension club, and library in Cherokee Village.[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "About Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel". www.cooperchapel.com. Retrieved 2018-05-05.
  2. ^ "Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel - Encyclopedia of Arkansas". www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net. Retrieved 2018-05-05.
  3. ^ "MILDRED B COOPER MEMORIAL CHAPEL, BELLA VISTA, ARKANSAS". beautifulbellavista.com. Retrieved 2018-05-05.
  4. ^ Barry, Helen; Nichols, Cheryl. "The Arkansas Designs of E. Fay Jones 1956-1997" (PDF). Little Rock, Arkansas: Arkansas Historic Preservation Program. pp. 63–66. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 29, 2012. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
  5. ^ Cordes, Karen (October 1988). "Encore Delivered with Strength and Delicacy" (PDF). Journal of the American Institute of Architects: 52–57 – via Archive at US Modernist.
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