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All the United States California Oakland Chapel of the Chimes

Chapel of the Chimes

Julia Morgan's Moorish-Gothic labyrinth of fountains, trees, natural light and Oakland's notable dead.

Oakland, California

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Annetta Black
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Chapel of the Chimes   Annetta Black
Chapel of the Chimes   Annetta Black
Chapel of the Chimes   Annetta Black
Chapel of the Chimes   Annetta Black
Chapel of the Chimes   Annetta Black
Chapel of the Chimes   Annetta Black
Angel monument in window   creativename / Atlas Obscura User
Fountain inside Chapel of the Chimes   creativename / Atlas Obscura User
  Holly Prz / Atlas Obscura User
a place to sit, next to your loved ones. Behind the glass are urns. This is a resting place, be respectful.   Holly Prz / Atlas Obscura User
little chapel within the large space   Holly Prz / Atlas Obscura User
plant, trees, and birds bring life to this resting place.   Holly Prz / Atlas Obscura User
foundations and statue hide in each corner.   Holly Prz / Atlas Obscura User
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  eternallife246 / Atlas Obscura User
  eternallife246 / Atlas Obscura User
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  eternallife246 / Atlas Obscura User
  eternallife246 / Atlas Obscura User
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Chapel of the Chimes   Annetta Black
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Entrance archways   creativename / Atlas Obscura User
Windowed alcove with seating   creativename / Atlas Obscura User
Chapel of the Chimes   Annetta Black
Julia Morgan  
Chapel of the Chimes   Annetta Black
Chapel of the Chimes   Annetta Black
Chapel of the Chimes   Annetta Black
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About

When architect Julia Morgan took on the redesign and expansion of the modest, turn-of-the-century columbarium on the hill at the end of Piedmont Avenue in Oakland, she brought with her a small army of local artisans, architectural treasures from Europe, and her trademark eclectic vision.

The resulting winding walkways and terraced indoor gardens, designed with Spanish-Moorish Gothic flourishes reminiscent of Alhambra, makes for an exceptionally beautiful environment to house the dead.

The columbarium was founded in 1909 as a much smaller structure, but the growing population and popularity of cremation led to its expansion in 1928. The legendarily tireless Julia Morgan was California's first licensed female architect, educated at University of California at Berkeley and L'École des Beaux-Arts in Paris before settling in the Bay Area. She was already engaged in a variety of projects, including William Randolph Heart's "Castle" in San Simeon, but she attacked the new project with enthusiasm. She sent her artist and assistant Doris Day to Europe in search of antiquities to embellish her vision, and brought in local experts in concrete construction, mosaic work, and stained glass to bring it to life.

Thousands of tiny niches filled with urns, many shaped like books, surrounding gardens, and quiet patio-like rooms, give the impression of a vast, light-filled library.

More modern expansions add to the overall eclectic impression—from an area that was transformed from one of Oakland's early trolley stations to Aztec-inspired additions made by Frank Lloyd Wright protégé Aaron Green.

The Gregorian cloister holds pages of illuminated manuscripts from 1550, and the small bible collection contains a page from a 1453 Gutenberg Bible. The Chapel of the Chimes has a performing arts history and today the chapel is home to regular musical performances including Jazz music and winter and summer solstice performances.

Related Tags

Columbariums Cemeteries Illuminated Manuscripts Rare Books Julia Morgan

Know Before You Go

Because of funeral services, access to the buildings that house the Julia Morgan Chapel and the Chapel of the Chimes, may not allow for visitations. Highly recommend picking up a map at either end of the complex, as the structure is a bit a rabbit's warren.

There is staff onsite should one need assistance in locating a particular section or entombment. Though there are elevators, not all spaces are handicap accessible.

Community Contributors

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Annetta Black

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Rachel, Martin, nateirish, SEANETTA...

  • Rachel
  • Martin
  • nateirish
  • SEANETTA
  • amityxo
  • Holly Prz
  • eternallife246
  • creativename

Published

December 2, 2013

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Sources
  • https://oakland.chapelofthechimes.com/about-us/
  • Mark Anthony Wilson, “Julia Morgan: Architect of Beauty”
  • http://oakland.chapelofthechimes.com/about-us/our-history
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapel_of_the_Chimes_%28Oakland,_California%29
  • http://www.hearstcastle.org/history-behind-hearst-castle/historic-people/profiles/julia-morgan/
Chapel of the Chimes
4499 Piedmont Ave.
Oakland, California, 94611
United States
37.831517, -122.245983
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