Name/Title
St. Mary's Chapel InteriorEntry/Object ID
1995.002.0031Description
Water color by Father Stephen J. Tushak of the interior of Saint Mary's Chapel in St. Mary's City, Md. The view is down the nave toward the altar, with a little of the space in the transept visible. The building is light colored masonry. The nave and apse are on long barrel vault, supported by an elaborate system of beams and trusses. The roof of the transept is not visible. The windows are flush with the outside wall, so there is a considerable sill at the base of the windows. The two groups of brown pews are separated by a wide aisle and the pews are open, rather than boxed. In every third row, a tall candlestick is located in the middle of the row. The floor is masonry blocks and the chancel is elevated above the nave by three steps. A low railing with a center gate further divides the space. There is a wide red carpet leading to the altar itself. A Celtic style cross is elevated above the altar and a painting or statue of the Virgin and the Christ child is above that. Blue draperies behind and to the side of the altar emphasize it. Behind the altar is a rood screen which has candles at intervals on the top rail. A three level glass window, with three gothic sash windows on the first level, three round arch windows on the second level and a tracery arrangement at the top dominates the back of the apse. In the far right corner is an elaborate wooden tabernacle with a statue in place. Next to it is a large round window that has a mate on the opposite wall. There is a gold chandelier hanging to the right of the altar to provide light for the servers. On the right is a kneeling bench for the priest and a large statue of Mary and a child. On the other side of the chancel is a statue of Mary as Queen, holding a baby. Next to that is an elevated pulpit with a large crucifix behind it. There are two candlesticks on the pulpit rails and a hanging roof over all. Large pointed arches, paneled to give the effect of pillars, provide the openings into the transept. Open pews are visible in each space. A chandelier hangs from the center of each arch. In the right transept, a red, pointed door exits toward the outside. The door has three elaborate metal hinges. A tapestry hangs on the wall next to the door and a holy water font is below the tapestry. On the other side of the transept hangs a large portrait of Mary and the Christ child.
Text within image: "St. Mary's Chapel circa 1638 St. Mary's City St. Mary's Co. Md."
Text below image: "Catholic Saint Mary's Chapel St. Mary's City St. Mary's Co. Maryland Built circa 1638"
Text on verso: "Painted by Rev. Stephen J. Tushak Holy Trinity Rectory Walford, Iowa Presented by him to Charles E. Fenwick, Leonardtown, Md., March 25, 1959"
This picture is signed "Stephen J. Tushak"
See 1995.001.0562 for correspondence relative to Fr. Tushak and the paintingsCollection
Stephen J. Tushak CollectionDimensions
Height
14 inWidth
17-13/16 inLocation
Container
Tushak Collection Box 11Table
Archives 1 CounterRoom
Archives 1Building
Tudor HallContainer
Tushak Collection Box 11Table
Archives 1 CounterRoom
Archives 1Building
Tudor HallRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Fenwick, Charles Edward (1910-1993)Person or Organization
Tushak, Stephen J. (1900-1959)