Building the Grace Chapel Model
Late in December, 2012, in an email correspondence with Chuck
Felton, my daughter Theresa mentioned a Christmas gift she had given me to keep me busy through the winter months. She also
mentioned that I had completed the project in one afternoon. Chuck replied with a suggestion that I might need something
a little more challenging such as building a model of Grace Chapel, which is still standing pretty much as it was originally
built in 1916, at the site of the old PA State Tuberculosis Sanatorium at Cresson. With the 100th
Anniversary of the opening of that facility being celebrated in August, I thought it would be a nice addition to the displays
for that event.
It seemed like an interesting project but since the ground on which the sanatorium once operated
was at this time a state prison facility, I wondered how I was going to get the information I would need to build an accurate
replica since the chapel was enclosed behind a razor wire fence.
All that I had available were a few black and white
photos taken over the years. From my previous work designing a model of the sanatorium complex, I knew of no architectural
drawings available, which of course would have made the job a lot easier. The only thing I had going for me was the fact
that my son-in-law, Mark McConnell, (Theresa’s husband) was a Physician Assistant at the prison. When Mark learned
that I was considering building a model of the chapel, he talked to Superintendent of the prison, Ken Cameron, about getting
permission for me to visit the chapel to take measurements and photos.
I was granted permission and one cold, windy
day early in 2013, Mark and I were met at the gatehouse to the prison facility by Becky Reifer, assistant to Superintendent
Cameron. Becky accompanied us to the chapel where Mark took many photos of the exterior while Becky showed me the interior
and helped with the measurements. This visit was very necessary in order to proceed with the scale drawing and detail work
needed before starting to build the actual model. I am very appreciative of the kindness and help of Ken and Becky and to
son-in-law Mark for arranging the visit “inside the fence.”
After acquiring this needed information, I
decided to build the model to a scale of ¼ ² to-the-foot.
This would result in a model 1:48 of the full-size structure. I was now ready to go to the drawing board and begin a full-sized
drawing to scale of the plan, elevation and end-views of the building along with all the other detail drawings that were necessary
to start construction.
The entire model is made of bass wood, plywood, paper and clear plastic. While I began building
the framework of the chapel, my son, Mike, gave me a hand by using the paint application on his computer to create the shingles
I would need and printed off sheets of stone for the building façade, all of this to the correct scale. Using photos
of the windows and doors taken by Mark during my visit to the chapel, Mike enlarged and shrank these images to scale and made
printed sheets of the correct scale windows and doors for the model. It took a lot of 8½
² by 11² paper and a lot of ink to make the prints I needed
and I really appreciated Mike’s abilities with the computer and time spent in making these necessary prints. Later
in the model building process, I cut and placed all the windows and doors where they belonged as well as cutting and fitting
the shingles on the chapel roof, bell tower and chaplains’ office addition. The stonework was added in the same manner,
cutting and fitting as needed.
By using the detailed layout I had finished earlier, I transferred the windows, other
openings and also the outside dimensions of the sides, ends, towers, etc., so I could begin the scroll cutting of these parts.
A base made from ½ ² x 18¾ ² x 28¾ ²
plywood was built. Mitered shelf molding was applied to its edges for trim and also to hold the Plexi-glass cover I planned
to use to protect the finished model. An inner frame was made to stiffen the model and support the 3/32²
roof sheets. The cut and sanded scroll-cut pieces were secured with glue at their proper location on the base.
The
bell tower with its many small parts and details required a lot of tedious work for a 90 year old. The steeple was made with
a light wooden frame and cardboard. At this stage of the construction, I began cutting and applying the printed stone sheets
to the exterior which was time consuming. This done, I began placing the windows Mike had made on the computer. These were
then covered with clear plastic to give a glossy, glass-like appearance.
The wooden roof sheets were then added to
the framework and covered with the printed sheets of shingles Mike had made using the paint application on his computer.
As mentioned, the shingles had to be cut and fitted to the various roof components such as the bell tower, and later the chaplains’
office addition. After the roof on the main part of the chapel was finished, all of the concrete details, pilasters, tower
trim, roof trim, etc., were hand-made and applied.
Using my lathe, I fashioned a bell from a piece of wood, sanded
and painted it then placed it in the bell tower, complete with rope pulley. A “corner stone” was also made and
placed in its proper location.
The structure at the rear of the chapel was made in its entirety after the main structure
of the chapel was completed, just as the original addition was later constructed to make office space for the sanatorium’s
chaplains in 1959-60.
The sidewalks, entrance slabs, stairs, railings, entrance lights, etc., were made of cardboard,
wood and wire, then painted and placed to add those details to the structure. Next, using a mixture of sand and glue, I added
the grass detail to the model base and painted it. The shrubs were made from pieces of sponge which were painted and applied.
To complete the model, a dedication plaque needed to be added. Once again, as I had done for the sanatorium model built
in 2011, I turned to Chuck Felton . Chuck drafted the inscription which was then engraved by Servinsky Jewelers of Cresson.
This was the last detail added to the model after about 400 hours of work. This old man is a slow worker.
Many photos
were taken of the model during construction which Chuck offered to display on his website. Thanks, Chuck, and thanks to all
who helped me in my efforts to build this model of Grace Chapel.
Fred R. Connacher
2013
