Danforth Chapel
1954
Wright conceived of this small chapel in tandem with its larger neighbor, emphasizing the contrasts between the two structures. It was originally to be aligned, as was the Pfeiffer chapel, on a strict east west orthogonal but in the early fifties Wright rotated it 30 degrees to the southwest to match the alignment of the proposed science building. The small chapel's ground hugging horizontality was a counterpart to the larger chapel's soaring tower. The design shows a distinct similarity to Wright's famous Unitarian Meeting House of Shorewood, WI; both buildings have a broad, overhanging gable roof and a prow-like glass wall behind the pulpit.
The finished building used the same materials as the previously constructed buildings, but differed from the others in some significant ways. It was smaller; it was not connected to an esplanade, it was the only building with stained glass; and its gable roof gave it a somewhat domestic appearance not unlike Wright's prairie style houses. Wright had included gable roofs in the early plans for some of the other buildings, but they were generally flattened before the final execution. The Danforth chapel's roof was perhaps somewhat of a compromise — it was gabled, but only slightly; the peak of the roof rising only slightly over the side walls. The roof's pointed peak extended more than 15 feet past the end wall at the "ship's prow". Beneath it was the building's highlight — the red, amber, and clear glass wall that provided much of the interior illumination, framing the setting sun.
The chapel still has the original pews and cushions, designed by Wright and constructed by industrial arts and home economics students. The site is a favorite place for student weddings.
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