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Buchtel Memorial Chapel (Denver, Colo.)

 Organization

Biography

University of Denver. The Buchtel Memorial Chapel was begun in 1907 when the cornerstone was laid. Buchtel "puportedly handed Colorado Springs architect Thomas Barber a photograph of a mission-style church and asked him to create a similar-looking structure for the University" (Built for Learning, p. 18). Progress on the building languished throughout the decade from its start to its completion due to lack of funds. "It was originally dedicated in 1917 as the Memorial Chapel to honor DU alumni who perished in World War I. In 1946 it was renamed the Buchtel Chapel in memory of Henry Buchtel." The chapel was destroyed by fire in 1983, leaving a tower as the sole remaining piece of the structure. (DU Today, Summer 2006 issue).

Biography

Buchtel Memorial Chapel Groundbreaking (-1983) on October 17, 1907.

Sources

University of Denver. (1974). Special Collections and Archives. University of Denver Buildings Collection. Inventory of University Buildings. [U123.01.0004.0031]

Biography

Cornerstone laid for Buchtel Memorial Chapel in October 26, 1910. (not dedicated until 1917 to honor those who had died in WWI)

Sources

Breck, From the Rockies to the World, 1997, 106; University of Denver. (1974). Special Collections and Archives. University of Denver Buildings Collection. Inventory of University Buildings. [U123.01.0004.0031].

Biography

Buchtel Memorial Chapel dedicated to soldiers fighting in World War I in December 30, 1917.

Sources

University of Denver. (1974). Special Collections and Archives. University of Denver Buildings Collection. Inventory of University Buildings. [U123.01.0004.0031]

Biography

A tribute service was held in Buchtel Chapel in memorial of Martin Luther King Jr.'s death on April 5, 1968. On July 20, 1983, a fire destroys Buchtel Memorial Chapel, leaving only one tower remaining.

Citation:
“Buchtel services pay tribute to death of Martin Luther King,” The University of Denver Clarion, vol. 72, no. 44, April 9, 1968, 4.

University of Denver. (1974). Special Collections and Archives. University of Denver Buildings Collection. Inventory of University Buildings. [U123.01.0004.0031]

Found in 10 Collections and/or Records:

University of Denver Buchtel Chapel, between 1925-1983

 Item
Identifier: U201.01.0015.0013.00007
Abstract

Interior view of the University of Denver's Buchtel Chapel in Denver, Colorado. View of an empty brick hallway with elaborate architectural arches.

Dates: between 1925-1983

University of Denver Buchtel Chapel - Fire and Demolition, 1983

 Item
Identifier: U201.01.0015.0011.00003
Abstract

Interior view of University of Denver's Buchtel Chapel in Denver, Colorado after the December 1983 fire. View of the sanctuary with the roof collapsed in and littering the floor.

Dates: 1983

University of Denver Buchtel Chapel - Fire and Demolition, 1983

 Item
Identifier: U201.01.0015.0011.00004
Abstract

Interior view of University of Denver's Buchtel Chapel in Denver, Colorado after the December 1983 fire. Half-burned papers litter the rubble.

Dates: 1983

University of Denver Buchtel Chapel - Fire and Demolition, 1983

 Item
Identifier: U201.01.0015.0011.00006
Abstract

Interior view of University of Denver's Buchtel Chapel in Denver, Colorado after the December 1983 fire. Burned timbers litter the floor in front of a broken window.

Dates: 1983

University of Denver Buchtel Chapel - Fire and Demolition, 1983

 Item
Identifier: U201.01.0015.0011.00009
Abstract

Exterior view of University of Denver's Buchtel Chapel in Denver, Colorado during the fire. Fire fighters stand on a ladder and roof, looking over the building on fire.

Dates: 1983

University of Denver Buchtel Chapel - Fire and Demolition, 1983

 Item
Identifier: U201.01.0015.0011.00017
Abstract

Exterior view of University of Denver's Buchtel Chapel in Denver, Colorado after the fire. View from the rear of the building with smoke damage on the upper walls.

Dates: 1983

University of Denver Buchtel Chapel - Fire and Demolition, 1983

 Item
Identifier: U201.01.0015.0011.00018
Abstract

Exterior view of University of Denver's Buchtel Chapel in Denver, Colorado after the fire. Side view, walls only half standing, chapel in state of complete ruin.

Dates: 1983

University of Denver Buchtel Chapel - Fire and Demolition, 1983

 Item
Identifier: U201.01.0015.0012.00001
Abstract

Exterior view of the burned skeleton of the University of Denver's Buchtel Chapel in Denver, Colorado after the July 1983 fire.

Dates: 1983

University of Denver Buchtel Chapel - Fire and Demolition, 1983

 Item
Identifier: U201.01.0015.0012.00006
Abstract

Interior view of University of Denver's Buchtel Chapel in Denver, Colorado after the July 1983 fire. Looking through a doorway at the former location of the organ pipes, under the remaining roof beams.

Dates: 1983

University of Denver Buchtel Chapel - Fire and Demolition, 1983 July 20

 Item
Identifier: U201.01.0015.0012.00014
Abstract

Interior view of University of Denver's Buchtel Chapel in Denver, Colorado after the July 1983 fire. Smoke floats above rubble on the chapel floor.

Dates: 1983 July 20