The Washington Memorial Chapel Restoration Committee has expanded its campaign to restore the Valley Forge national treasure. The historic building is in immediate need of restoration and preservation expected to cost close to $4.5 million.

The chapel is a place of worship and community for the congregation of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania and an important historical memorial to George Washington and the Patriots of the American Revolution.

The restoration campaign, under the leadership of the Campaign’s Chairman Jason Griggs, has already managed to raise $500,000 in its initial phase from close friends of the Chapel and the Washington Memorial Heritage.

The campaign entered its public phase on June 12, and has now expanded to include the whole congregation and a wider circle of friends and supporters. The goal of this phase is to raise the first $1 million to address emergency and highest priority repairs.

“What most people don’t know is that the Chapel is NOT a part of the Valley Forge National Park despite being surrounded by it and therefore does not receive any financial assistance for preservation,” said Griggs. “Losing this treasure would be like closing the Smithsonian and the Washington Monument simultaneously.”

Watch a Fox29 news clip documenting the repairs needed here.
_______
Top photo credit: Thiophene_Guy Detail: Kneeling soldiers on choir pew via photopin (license)