Page 18 - Middletown Magazine Issue 3 Autumn 2023

The Spooky Jewel of Indian Hill: by Alain Munkittrick

The Russell Memorial Chapel

Have you ever visited Indian Hill Cemetery? If not, you should. Grave monuments of those buried there represent a treasure trove of Mid-
dletown’s history. But also, its beguiling landscaping, magnificent trees, and stunning views over the valley from its summit are worth the
visit. Here you can’t miss the spooky jewel of the cemetery - the Russell Memorial Chapel. Constructed in 1868, it is Middletown’s earliest
surviving masterpiece in the Gothic Revival style.

A rare photograph of Russell Chapel on Indian Hill soon after its was built The recently restored interior of the Russell Chapel, with wall tablets to ei-
in 1867, and before the addition of the entrance portico. (Courtesy Wesley- ther side of the chancel, honoring the memory of Frances Russell’s stepsons.
an University Library, Special Collections & Archives) (Photo: Alain Munkittrick)
ou approach the Chapel as you turn up town building of cut and carved brownstone, deceased grandfather, father and uncle.
Ythe driveway (reached from the entrance chances are Canfield built it! This stone ma-
on Vine Street). The copper-clad door you son (with his son Charles) also designed and If you attend a service or other event at the
first see at the lower level of the chapel gives carved many of the impressive monuments Russell Chapel, you will enjoy one of the
entry to the holding crypt. As the Chapel adorning Indian Hill, so wander about and most serene religious spaces in Middletown.
was, historically, the venue for funeral ser- admire their sculptural works in granite, The sanctuary is framed by wood trusses
vices, this crypt was where caskets and re- marble and brownstone. (See the article on arching above you. Windows are enhanced
mains were kept, readied to be lifted (via a the Alsop-Chauncey-Mutter Tomb in this with stained and painted glass, tinting the
rope and pulley system up through the floor issue on page 10) cheerful space with pleasing effect. The orig-
above!), or stored for later interment should inal window behind the altar depicts the An-
the ground be frozen. The Russell Chapel was funded by Frances gel of Death with an uplifted sword and the
Russell in memory of her recently deceased suspended scales of justice. Also strikingly
Park your car and wander around the Chapel husband, Samuel, and his two sons. Samuel beautiful is the floor, composed of alternat-
to admire its walls of dressed Portland brown- Russell was an eminent merchant and the ing chestnut and black walnut boards. The
stone. The architecture is typical of the Goth- founder of Russell & Company, the most suc- raised altar is framed by a large plaster arch,
ic Revival style employed for small churches cessful trading firm in China during the 19th defining the chancel. We are extremely for-
around the country during the second half of century. He was also a founder of the Russell tunate to also have the original altar lectern
the 19th century. These were influenced by Manufacturing Company (maker of woven and the rare “bier” which would have sup-
the design of English parish churches imitat- elastic webbing), a generous philanthropist, ported the coffin during a funeral service.
ing Medieval period construction. Notice the and, at the time of his death in 1862, one The interior of the Chapel was once adorned
stepped buttresses which anchor the build- of the wealthiest men in the State. Fittingly, with holy inscriptions. At one window facing
ing firmly to the sloping ground. Other char- he was the first President of the Indian Hill east – back toward the city of Middletown -
acteristics of the Gothic style are the steeply Cemetery Association which oversaw the was inscribed, “For here we have no continu-
pitched roof and the pointed windows set planning and construction of the cemetery ing city but we seek one to come.”
within massive walls. The entrance portico starting in 1850. Samuel Russell’s widow,
on the uphill side, added by 1888, harmo- Frances, a benefactor at heart, also donated The jewel of Indian Hill was recently re-
nizes well with the original design. Most of Middletown’s Russell Library in honor of her stored to its former glory by the Indian Hill
these small parish churches had bell cote husband’s legacy. Cemetery Association, with help from The
towers (or “belfries”) rather than steeples. Friends of Indian Hill. For more informa-
These were usually centered on the main On the interior of the Chapel, you will see tion, see https://indian-hill.org/ and https://
façade. The Chapel’s off-center bell tower is two wall-mounted tablets honoring the indian-hill.org/friends-of-indian-hills-cem-
quite unusual. However, the asymmetrical memory of George O. Russell and John A. etery/.
treatment creates an eye-catching silhouette, Russell. These were Samuel Russell’s only
and shows to advantage the original Meneely two sons by his first wife, Mary. After Mary Alain Munkittrick is an architect and the
Bell, cast in Troy, New York. died, Samuel married her sister, Frances. To- co-author, with Deborah Shapiro, of Middle-
gether they also raised George’s orphaned town’s High Street and Wesleyan University,
The craftsmanship of the Chapel’s mason- son, Samuel Russell III. Young Samuel was available at www.arcadiapublishing.com.
ry is meticulous, thanks to Thomas Collard an architectural draftsman, and this writer
Canfield, an Irish stonecutter who came to believes he probably designed the Russell
live in Middletown. If you admire a Middle- Chapel for his grandmother, in honor of his

18 Middletown Magazine - Autumn Issue 2023