CREJ

March 2019 \ BUILDING DIALOGUE \ 77 A s architectural trends shift and transform its neigh- borhoods, the city of Denver and its partners work diligently to preserve buildings of historical signif- icance. These buildings not only preserve Denver’s past, but also they help maintain the city’s unique character. The Lowry neighborhood’s Eisenhower Memorial Chapel is a perfect example of this ongoing effort. On the National Register for Historic Places and the list of Den- ver landmarks, the chapel now sits among the restaurants and shops of Lowry’s Town Center. An integral part of the neighbor- hood, the chapel serves as a nondenominational community gath- ering place for concerts, speakers, and private events. According to the Evan Lasky, board chair of the Lowry Foundation, who operates the building, “Thousands of people visit the chapel each year to re- member loved ones who served, celebrate important moments intheir lives or attend community events.” Dedicated days before Pearl Harbor in 1941, “Chapel No. 1” was saved from demoli- tion for its historical and architectural importance. It was renamed the Eisenhower Chapel after President Dwight Eisenhower, who attended services with his wife Ma- mie and held meetings there during the summers of his administration. From 1953 to 1955, Eisenhower spent so much time in Denver that Lowry was designated the official “Summer White House.” The chapel is one of the few building that Eisen- hower used during those summers that still stands. Originally one of four, the Eisenhower Chapel is the last house of worship in Col- orado that supported the expansion and mobilization of American forces during World War II. Under the pressure of international events and the creation of the prewar draft, the military built hundreds of simple-frame, tongue-and-groove structures, like Chapel No. 1, that were never intended for long-term use. As is the case with most historic buildings, the chapel requires ongoing mainte- nance to ensure its preservation. Steward of the chapel since 2008, the Lowry Foun- dation recently launched a campaign to repair the exterior. The siding – made of pine wood lap – is in disrepair, needing $205,000 in restoration work. As a result, the foundation has partnered with Historic Denver to secure a $105,000 Colorado State Historical Fund grant for a portion of this work. While Historic Den- ver will implement the project, the foundation will raise the remaining $100,000 needed to complete the restoration with sensitivity to the building’s history. Sched- uled to begin in April, the four-month project will not impede on the chapel’s op- erations. Past Efforts to Preserve and Restore As part of the 2002 development of Town Center, the Lowry Redevelopment Au- thority, which owned the building at the time, rotated the chapel 45 degrees to make room for additional retail. As part of that effort, the chapel was placed on a new elevated foundation, and received plumbing and electrical upgrades. To make the main entry fully accessible, while maintaining the chapel’s historic integrity, the Lowry Foundation added a plaza with sloped sidewalks leading to the front door, in lieu of adding an attached ramp structure. The Eisenhower Memorial Chapel Preserves History, Creates New Memories in Lowry Neighborhood Jeane Larkings Executive Director, Lowry Foundation