About the Chapel : Washington and Lee University

About the Chapel

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to questions that we commonly receive about the Chapel and our policies.

History

The University began construction on the Chapel in 1867 at the request of Robert E. Lee, who served as president from 1865 to 1870 of what was then called Washington College. His son, George Washington Custis Lee of VMI, proposed the simple Victorian design; Col. Thomas Williamson, also of VMI, drew up the plans and specifications. Built of brick and native limestone, the Chapel was completed in time for graduation exercises in 1868. Lee attended weekday worship services here with the students and the lower level housed his office, the treasurer's office and the library. For more information on the 20th century history of the Chapel see Lee Chapel on Digital Humanities under our featured links.

The History of the Flags in Lee Chapel and Museum

In 1930, Washington and Lee's Board of Trustees granted a request from the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) to display original Confederate battle flags from different regiments of the Army of Northern Virginia in Lee Chapel near the statue, "The Recumbent Lee." These flags remained in the Chapel until 1995, when they were removed for conservation.

Special Programs

Read about the events that take place throughout the year at the Chapel.

Featured Links

Featured links relating to Lee Chapel and the Museum

COVID-19 Closing

On Saturday, March 14, Washington and Lee University adopted several policies based on the most current guidance from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The purpose of these policies is to stem the spread of the COVID-19 virus to the greatest extent possible by limiting our community's contact with individuals who may have been exposed to the virus and with those who are at the highest risk from exposure.

Based on the most recent recommendations of the VDH and CDC and the example set by fellow educational institutions in Virginia, President Will Dudley has announced that Washington and Lee University will be taking a two-week recess before transitioning to virtual instruction with classes resuming March 30. During this time, the W&L campus will be closed to all visitors and all events will be postponed/cancelled.

In accordance with these policies and the actions of many of our museum colleagues along the East Coast, the Museums at W&L – Lee Chapel & Museum, the Reeves Museum, and Watson Gallery – will be closed and will not reopen until it is safe to do so. The Reeves Center and Watson Pavilion will be open only by appointment for W&L faculty, staff, and students with a valid W&L ID.

Even during these uncertain and unsettling times, the Museums at W&L remain committed to the mission of advancing learning through education and engagement with collections. Museums staff will be working particularly diligently towards the goal of providing as much digital content for our audiences as possible while the museum doors are closed to the public. For this and future operational updates, be sure to follow our Facebook (facebook.com/wlu.museums) and Instagram (@wlu.museums) pages and reach out with any questions through direct message or by emailing rwilliams@wlu.edu.