By Gretchen Wilterding Maring '52
I stand outside the Boynton Chapel, warming myself in the autumn sun and admiring the blue waters of Lake Michigan. Soon I hear the rumble of the tour bus on the gravel road leading into the Björklunden campus. People come straggling around the bushes, stunned by the beauty of the vista they are beholding, some for the first time. And then they see the Chapel. I am thrilled each time I see the reactions of these visitors.
I tell the story of the Boyntons and talk about the building of the Chapel and then invite them in, warning them that "yes, it will be dark, but your eyes will adjust, and yes, I am very good at squeezing 55 people into a building meant to hold 40."
I tell about the carving on which both of the Boyntons collaborated and my listeners sit quietly, trying to absorb the wonder of it all. I explain that Mrs. Boynton was a determined, spiritual, talented lady who had a vision that she never failed in fulfilling. But it is when I start to talk about the paintings that their eyes grow round and the awe-struck look comes to their faces.
I ask them to try to imagine a lady in her early fifties up on a scaffold to paint constellations on the ceiling. I explain that she was doing fresco painting, an art known for centuries. After transferring her design — a full-scale drawing called a cartoon, done to fit the space — she would begin to apply paint. She painted on wet plaster, using casein and sandpaper, applying paint and sanding to achieve the old, shaded look she desired. Mrs. Boynton had to have the confidence that what paint she used would be the color she wanted when the plaster was dry! She had read and studied extensively before planning her designs and even at that there are many images, now preserved in the Lawrence University archives, that she discarded before choosing just what she would use.
The South Transept depicts the Holy Hunt. The living waters of the great lake, along with the soaring mountains connecting heaven and earth, serve as background to a white unicorn, pure and unblemished, facing the Virgin Mary. She also is a symbol of purity and sits among a clump of birches, the symbol of faith. The angel Gabriel, blowing his horn, is there with the three hounds, Truth, Justice, and Mercy. The allegory is completed with the knowledge that, through the purity of the Virgin, Jesus will be born.
When we turn to the North Transept we see the Isaiah scripture describing the Peaceable Kingdom. There the Prince of Peace, surrounded by animals including the Boynton dogs, Jigger and Paddle, is protected by the healing Angel, Raphael. In this panel, Milt Henquinet, the Boyntons' caretaker, is represented by Raphael's hand holding the spear.
The Chapel has become quieter and quieter as the beauty and mystery of these paintings becomes more evident. I explain that, while the building is inspired by the Norwegian Stavkirke, the painting within is not rosemåling but more like Swedish allegorical painting. But it isn't that, either. It is Winifred Boynton's style, one that evolved through painstaking study, research, and meditation.
We look at the four evangelists represented by their allegorical shapes that are in the four corners. I explain that the eight panels sloping away from the ceiling are scenes that we are invited to read and reflect upon. All the worthy virtues are there: Love, Strength, Wisdom, Faith, Charity, Light, Spiritual Food, Trust. Over the rood beam is painted the Panel of Prayer, angels praying the Lord's Prayer. Over the door is the Panel of Praise, angels playing musical instruments.
The visitors see the tall panels of St. Paul holding the Written Word and St. Peter with his Keys to the Kingdom. All are amused to find out that St. Peter's toe is really Mr. Boynton's toe. He was enlisted to pose so Mrs. Boynton could more easily see the shape of the foreshortened foot.
I explain that Mrs. Boynton was adamant in her desire that this be a Chapel of Peace and that all people of all faiths were to be comfortable here. The panel painted with the symbols of the major religions of the world reminds us that unity and world peace will only come through the love of the one God we all worship.
Two medieval song manuscripts in the north and south transepts reveal, in Latin, the messages of "peace on earth, good will towards all men" and "now let thy servant depart in peace." Other panels of scripture show the careful thought Mrs. Boynton employed to help us focus on the message of prayer, oneness with God, and peace.
The apse, housing the altar, is simply painted the faintest blue, somewhat like sponge painting, so the walls would look old. Elaborate painting here would only detract from the Angel of Peace Cross standing on the altar.
As we prepare to leave, I read the passage on the wall next to the door "Ye shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace . . .," and many pairs of shining eyes have seen what determination, self-focus, grace, and talent can do. This, plus the realization that she was willing to share it with us all, fills us with a great sense of awe and thankfulness. Everyone stands, cameras in hand, looking around themselves with new insight.
The visitors walk away in small groups, holding postcards of the Chapel, murmuring to each other as they board the bus.
And I stand in the sunlight, warming myself in the sun, admiring the blue waters of Lake Michigan while I wait for the sound of the next bus and 50 more people with whom to share an incredible story.
Follow the links to the left to continue the history of Björklunden vid Sjön.