Atop Oak Hill Cemetery’s highest ridge sits a small architectural marvel. It beckons us to explore its story. This is the Oak Hill Cemetery Chapel. It’s also known as the Renwick Chapel. Or sometimes the James Renwick Chapel. Oak Hill Cemetery Chapel holds a unique place in Washington D.C.’s history. It stands as a testament to the vision of both its founder and architect.
Oak Hill Cemetery itself was born from the mind of William Wilson Corcoran. He purchased the land, Parrott’s Woods, in 1848. An act of Congress officially chartered the cemetery in 1849. Corcoran envisioned a serene final resting place. He chose James Renwick Jr., a prominent architect of the time, to design the chapel. Renwick’s portfolio already boasted impressive structures. These included Grace Church and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Oak Hill Cemetery Chapel, completed in 1850, showcases Renwick’s mastery of Gothic Revival architecture. The chapel cost $9,400, covered entirely by Corcoran.
Oak Hill Cemetery Chapel is a “miniature Gothic gem”. The design features a steeply pitched roof, buttresses, and lancet windows. These windows are adorned with tracery and stained glass. The chapel is a one-story rectangular structure. It measures 23 feet high and 41 feet long. It’s constructed from Potomac gneiss, sandstone, and wood. A cornerstone, marked “1850,” sits within a buttress on the northwest corner. The chapel’s west side features a large painted door, protected by a wrought iron gate. Above the door, a beautiful rose window with wooden mullions adds to the chapel’s charm. The padlock on the gate bears an inscription. It reads: “Presented/Oak Hill Cemetery Co./By/James L. Norris/March 19, 1895.”
A poignant story connects Oak Hill Cemetery Chapel to President Abraham Lincoln. His young son, Willie, tragically died of typhoid in 1862. Willie’s body was temporarily placed in the chapel. He remained there before his final burial elsewhere. It’s said that Lincoln visited the chapel multiple times during that period. He would quietly hold his deceased son’s body. This heartbreaking tale inspired George Saunders’ 2017 novel, “Lincoln in the Bardo”.
Oak Hill Cemetery Chapel stands as more than just a structure. It’s a repository of history, architectural brilliance, and human emotion. Its peaceful presence amidst the bustling city offers a quiet space for reflection. It reminds us of the enduring power of art, grief, and remembrance.