Washington Memorial Chapel at Valley Forge

VALLEY FORGE ENCAMPMENT TOUR STOP 9

Washington Memorial Chapel

The final stop on the Valley Forge Encampment Tour is the Washington Memorial Chapel. For those in a vehicle, there is a parking lot at the church and an overflow lot just down the street to the east. For those doing the tour on bike or foot by following the Joseph Plumb Martin Trail, the trail passes right by the church.

The Washington Memorial Chapel is a modern church and has absolutely nothing to do with the Valley Forge encampment, but its presence at Valley Forge cannot be overlooked, and it’s a neat place to visit. The church is an active Episcopalian church and not owned by the National Park Service. It is typically open during normal business hours, but it could be closed at anytime for weddings, funerals, and other events. There is no charge to enter, but donations are appreciated. For additional information, see the official Washington Memorial Chapel website.

Interior of the Washington Memorial Chapel at Valley Forge National Historical Park

The idea for a church dedicated to George Washington came from Reverend W. Herbert Burk, who felt that Washington’s faith in God is what allowed him to overcome the problems he faced at Valley Forge. Construction on the main chapel began in 1903, but the church wasn’t completed until 1921. The bell tower next to it wasn’t added until 1941 (completed in 1953). There are all kinds of symbolism inside and outside the church, and it is beyond the scope of this article to provide any reasonable amount of detail. The best way to learn about the church is through the audio commentaries that accompany the Valley Forge Encampment Tour.

Interior of the Washington Memorial Chapel at Valley Forge National Historical Park

Statue of George Washington inside the Washington Memorial Chapel

At the rear of the church building is a book store, and behind it in a separate building is the Chapel Cabin Shop. This is a gift store, snack shop, and bakery.

Chapel Cabin Shop of the Washington Memorial Chapel at Valley Forge National Historical Park

Inside the Chapel Cabin Shop of the Washington Memorial Chapel at Valley Forge

If you want to hike the Grand Parade Trail, the Washington Memorial Chapel is one of the places where you can start. Located directly across from the overflow parking lot is Barry Road, and less than 200 yards down the road is a small parking lot for the Maurice Stephens House. The Grand Parade Trail runs right in front of the house. It circles the area used as the parade ground—training and inspection area—during the Valley Forge encampment. It is a nice hike and one of the few at Valley Forge National Historical Park that passes through open meadows instead of the forest.

Maurice Stephens House at Valley Forge National Historical Park

Just down the road to the east of the Washington Memorial Chapel is the Patriots of African Descent Monument dedicated to the over 700 black soldiers who camped at Valley Forge. The monument was erected in 1993, with money for the project having been raised by the Valley Forge Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. It was designed by Cal Massey and sculpted by Phil Sumpter. There is no parking next to the monument, so the best way to see it is by hiking or biking the Joseph Plumb Martin Trail.

Patriots of African Descent Monument at Valley Forge

Plan to spend 30 minutes at the Washington Memorial Chapel stop on the Valley Forge Encampment Tour.

Tour Stop 8 | Encampment Tour Main Page

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