Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel
| Cooper Chapel | |
|---|---|
| Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel | |
 Interior of the chapel, 2012 | |
  Cooper Chapel Location in Arkansas | |
| 36°28′40″N 94°14′43″W / 36.47778°N 94.24528°WCoordinates: 36°28′40″N 94°14′43″W / 36.47778°N 94.24528°W | |
| Country | United States |
| Website | www |
| History | |
| Status | Open |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Founder(s) | Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel Foundation |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Nominated to NRHP, June 5, 1996 |
| Architect(s) | Fay Jones |
| Architectural type | Moderne |
| Style | Gothic (influences) |
| Groundbreaking | 1988 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 84 feet (26 m) |
| Width | 24 feet (7.3 m) |
| Height | 54 feet (16 m) |
| Number of floors | One |
| Floor area | 2,016 square feet (187.3 m2) |
| Materials | Steel, glass |
Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel is a chapel located along Lake Norwood 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. The chapel was designed with a mind toward celebrating both God and his creations.[2][3]
The chapel is a popular tourist destination in Northwest Arkansas, as well as a widely used wedding ceremony location.
Architecture[]
The design recalls the Prairie School of architecture popularized by Frank Lloyd Wright, with whom Jones had apprenticed. Jones used 31 tons of steel and 4,460 square feet of glass[1] to create a series of Gothic arches that run the length of the chapel.[4] Though it looks like an open-air structure, the chapel is a glass-enclosed, air-conditioned space.
Soon after completion the chapel was praised that it "quietly commands a dignity and presence uncommon among buildings of our era."[5]
About Mildred Borum Cooper[]
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[]
- Thorncrown Chapel, similar structure by Jones in nearby Eureka Springs, Arkansas
References[]
- ^ a b c d "About Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel". www.cooperchapel.com. Retrieved 2018-05-05.
- ^ "MILDRED B COOPER MEMORIAL CHAPEL, BELLA VISTA, ARKANSAS". beautifulbellavista.com. Retrieved 2018-05-05.
- ^ "Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel - Encyclopedia of Arkansas". www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net. Retrieved 2018-05-05.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
External links[]
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Thorncrown Chapel. |
- Cooper Chapel official website.
  | This article about a church or other Christian place of worship in Arkansas is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by . |
- Churches in Arkansas
- Chapels in the United States
- Churches completed in 1988
- Churches in Benton County, Arkansas
- Tourist attractions in Benton County, Arkansas
- Buildings and structures in Bella Vista, Arkansas
- Arkansas church stubs