Mary Lyon Chapel, or Abbey Chapel

[Abbey Chapel]

History

Mary Lyon Hall was built in 1897 on the site of the Seminary Building after its destruction by fire in 1896, and part of its use was as a chapel. The Charles Clinton Abbey Memorial Chapel was presented as a gift by Emily Abbey Gill in memory of her husband in 1938. The new structure was a remodeling and merging with the 1897 chapel.

The Images

All cards are available with both front and back scans, and comments about what is written on the front or back, either by the user or by the publisher, are included below.

Chapel Doorway
front "Chapel Doorway. Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass."
back Undivided back. Postmarked Nov 17, 1921 12:30pm in South Hadley. "I am enjoying myself greatly here. Our days are very full, just at present with many quizzes. I wish I was to be in Medford for Thanksgiving, too. Sincerely, Hilda"
[In the book!]

Prof. Hammond at the Chapel Organ
front "Prof. Hammond at the Chapel Organ Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley Mass." "Photograph Copyright 1909 by A. S. Kinney"
back Divided back, stamp box, unused. Published by A. S. Kinney, So. Hadley, Mass. Made in Germany.

Abbey Memorial Chapel
front "Abbey Memorial Chapel Interior Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass."
back Divided back. Published by Robert A. Glesmann, South Hadley, Mass. and the Albertype Co., Brooklyn, NY

Abbey Memorial Chapel Entrance
front "Abbey Memorial Chapel Entrance Mount Holyoke College"
back Undivided back. Postmarked in the morning on an indecipherable day in 1957 in South Hadley. Published by $5 Photo Co., Photo Park, Canton, New York. "Congratulations and condolences to the acting dean of the college of Engineering. I hope it will not rob you of all your domestic life and your publications. Mildred Hinsdale sent me such a good picture and "story" from a local newspaper. She keeps me up to date on all my friends in Ann Arbor. I still hope to come to Michigan later, but I cannot be sure. My regards to all the family. Grace M. Bacon"

Abbey Memorial Chapel
front "Abbey Memorial Chapel, Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Mass."
back Divided back, unused. Published by Robert A. Glesmann, South Hadley, Mass. and the Albertype Co., Brooklyn, N. Y.

Abbey Memorial Chapel and Mary Lyon Chapel
front "Abbey Memorial Chapel and Mary Lyon Hall Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts"
back Divided back, postmarked Jun 1, 1947 5:30pm in South Hadley. Published by The Albertype Co., Brooklyn, NY. "Dear Frank, Elizabeth & I are spending the day here at the college. [I]t is a beautiful place and the lawns & building[s] are so well kept. Hazel"
[In the book!]

Abbey Memorial Chapel
front "Abbey Memorial Chapel, Mount Holyoke College"
back Divided back, unused. Published by The City, from photographs made by The Maynard Workshop, Waban, Mass.

Mary Lyon Chapel
front "Mary Lyon Chapel, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass."
back Divided back, unused. Published by A. S. Kinney, South Hadley, Mass. and the Albertype Co., Brooklyn, N. Y.

Untitled
front Untitled
back Divided back, unused. Published by Mount Holyoke College Bookstore, South Hadley, Mass. and the Albertype Co., Brooklyn, N. Y. "Abbey Memorial Chapel Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Massachusetts"

Mary Lyon Chapel
front "Mary Lyon Chapel, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass."
back Divided back, postally unused. Published by A. S. Kinney, South Hadley, Mass. and the Albertype Co., Brooklyn, N. Y. "My dear Mrs. Southwick: Your note has just come. I am very sorry not to be able to meet with the [creative?] Boards of the B&S.S. Club. and especially when it is to be held at Mrs. Scudder's. This semester I have been with my sister at college - "listening in" to twenty hours a week - Art - 19th Century - Forms - Short Story Writing. Bible Philosophy. Sociology. The faculty even [??] me my privilege. There are so many xtra things to go to & do all the while. Best wishes for you all. Helen M. Tillinghast"

Untitled
front Untitled
back "Interior Abbey Memorial Chapel Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Massachusetts" Writer added "Brigham Hall" in this identifying print." Divided back, postmarked Oct 9, 1950 12midnight in South Hadley. Published by Mount Holyoke College Bookstore, South Hadley, Mass. and the Albertype Co., Brooklyn, N. Y. "Dear Aunt Edith, This is a picture of our chapel. It is so pretty. I just came from a very nice service there. The work up here is quite hard, but it is loads of fun. My roomate is Vivian Shoods from Newport, R. I. She is swell. Love, Shirleyjane"
[In the book!]

Doorway - Abbey Memorial Chapel
front "Doorway - Abbey Memorial Chapel, Mount Holyoke College"
back Divided back, unused. Published by The City, from photographs made by The Maynard Workshop, Waban, Mass.

Mary Lyon Chapel
front "Mary Lyon Chapel, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass."
back Undivided back, stamp box, unused.

Abbey Memorial Chapel
front "Abbey Memorial Chapel Interior Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass."
back Divided back, postmarked Nov 17, 1947 6:30pm in South Hadley. Published by Robert A. Glesmann, South Hadley, Mass. and the Albertype Co., Brooklyn, NY "Does this look familiar? Florence M. and I arrived about four o'clock yesterday, after a lovely, restful ride. To-day has been a very happy day, seeing many friends and attending the Alumnae Meeting and luncheon. Love, Hattie."

Untitled
front Untitled
back "Abbey Memorial Chapel Mt. Holyoke College South Hadley, Mass" Divided back, postmarked Dec 17, 1963 in Danville, KY. Published by Bromley and Company, Inc., Boston 16, Mass. "Christmas 1963 How perfectly grand to see you at reunion! Merry Christmas to you and [James?] and do pull my latchstring if you come this May - Affectionately yours [signature] Box 779 Danville Kentucky". Addressed to Mrs. Robert Walbridge.

Mary Lyon Chapel and Administration Building
front "Mary Lyon Chapel and Administration Building, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass."
back Divided back, postmarked Sep 2-, 1909 5pm in South Hadley. #B3036 Published by A. S. Kinney. Made in Germany. An Excelsior card. "I am at college at last. Thought I would drop you a postal. address Mt. Holyoke College. South Hadley, Mass. Box 562."

Abbey Memorial Chapel
front "Abbey Memorial Chapel Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Massachusetts"
back Divided back, postmarked Jun 4, 1946 5:30pm in South Hadley. Published by Robert A. Glesmann, South Hadley, Mass. and The Albertype Co., Brooklyn, NY. "You're missing a grand reunion and we're missing you. But we're looking forward to seeing you at the fiftieth. 1919 We're tied for the cup." Written to Mrs. Sidney J. Reynolds.

Abbey Memorial Chapel
front "Abbey Memorial Chapel Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Massachusetts"
back Divided back, unused. "Abbey Memorial Chapel Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Massachusetts" Published by Robert A. Glesmann, South Hadley, Mass. and The Albertype Co., Brooklyn, NY

Mary Lyon Chapel
front A real photo of a woman in front of the chapel. The author labelled the front "Mary Lyon Chapel".
back Undivided back, stamp box, postmarked Mar 1, 1911 7am in South Hadley(?). Stamp missing. "Tues. Eve. Will you please look in your [...] to see if you have a letter in there for me. I have no [sic] received my home letter this week so I am afraid mother is sick or you are guilty. Had a grand spread to-night and heaps of fun. Ethel"
[In the book!]

Mary Lyon Chapel and Williston Library
front "Mary Lyon Chapel and Williston Library, Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Mass."
back Divided back, pstmarked Sep 25, 1928 10am in Shelburne Falls, Mass. Published by A. S. Kinney and The Albertype Co., Brooklyn, NY. Addressed to Mrs. Wm H. Shelmire Jr. in Philadelphia, Pa. "We are having a fine auto trip thro' New England. Had a very nice visit at College yesterday, every body inquired for you. I could not tell the friends whether you are at Atlantic City. Will see you soon after we both return to our homes. Sept. 25. C. W. Yocum"

Abbey Chapel
front Untitled pen and ink drawing of the chapel
back Unused folding note card. "Abbey Chapel Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Mass." Drawing by Frank Gnatek.

Abbey Chapel
front "Mount Holyoke College"
back Divided back, unused. "Mount Holyoke College/Abbey Chapel/South Hadley, Massachusetts/Mount Holyoke is an independent, liberal arts institution for women located in the Connecticut River Valley of Massachusetts. Founded by Mary Lyon in 1837 when education for women was a revolutionary idea, Mount Holyoke is the oldest continuing institution of higher education for women in the country." #17457 G-3480 Recycled paper. Copyright Impact, 1-800-950-0110 Designed and distributed in the USA. Printed in Japan.
back Same front, same text on reverse, different design. Produced by Photografx Worldwide in 2001.

Mary Lyon Chapel
front "Mary Lyon Chapel Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass."
back Undivided back, postmarked Jul 18, 1921 8:30am in Chicago. "This in lieu of the picture which failed. We had a wonderful time. So sorry you could not come. Yours as ever, M. J. Johnston Absentee Committee" Addressed to Miss Mabel Alice Watson in Haverhill.

Chapel at Mt. Holyoke College
front Untitled view of Abbey Chapel.
back Divided back, stamp box, unused. "Chapel at Mt. Holyoke College Showing Mary Lyon Hall in background South Hadley, Mass." Published by the Springfield News Company and Tichnor Bros., Inc., Boston 15, Mass. A Lusterchrome card. No ZIP code in the Boston address implies this card is pre-1963.

Abbey Memorial Chapel
front "Abbey Memorial Chapel, Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Mass."
back Divided back, postmarked Jul 21, 1949 in South Hadley. Published by Robert A. Glesmann, South Hadley, Mass. and the Albertype Co., Brooklyn, N. Y. "I hope that you can come up tomorrow night. The scheduled panel discussion should be interesting. After dinner you can find me in the S. Rockefeller lounge, where I am pouring coffee this week. Aloha, P. Byrnes"

Mary Lyon Chapel and Administration Building
front "Mary Lyon Chapel and Administration Building, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass."
back Divided back, stamp box, postmarked Feb 19, 1910 5pm in South Hadley. #B6079 Published by A. S. Kinney, So. Hadley, Mass. Made in Germany. An Excelsior card. "Dear mama, This morning Sat. I received a letter from you, but evidently it was there Fri night. But as I was at gym. then and right after dinner had to go to the senior play I didn't get much studying or anything else done. The play was too cute for any thing. some parts of it had nocks [sic] on the faculty, and some of the girls represented dolls, teddy bears, etc. there's too much to tell here wait just a little while and I can tell you about it. It was about 10.40 and of course I wasn't in bed until after 11, and as I had English Latin & Math with no study periods, I had to get up at 5 this morning. I'm sorry I haven't written oftener, but it seems to me I wrot [sic] Wed maybe not. [...] a few things have been going on though. Prayer meeting, Miss W. reception Thurs & ten gym and play Friday. It is good to have some samples you can use. My gym teacher's name is Eaton. is that it. It is quite pleasant up here. To-day there is still a crust. [?] Don't worry any more mama for I guess we're all right now. I am any way. Love and oooo Flossie."
[In the book!]

Abbey Memorial Chapel
front Untitled
back "Abbey Memorial Chapel Mt. Holyoke College South Hadley, Mass" Divided back, postmarked Jun 8, 1964 in Amherst [?], Mass. Published by Bromley and Company, Inc., Boston 16, Mass. MA-1392. "Dear Billie:- Pisgah [?] & Tanglewood this summer? All weekends O.K. for me except the Aug. 26 & 27th one & none before July 15th. Am writing Ava, also Martha Cramer who you remember loves music, too. It would be fun to be all together at Pisgah, but if not possible please plan to come with Ava (or alone) when most convenient. Am here for Alumnae Day, going to school! Some '15 gals but no '17ers. Love, Tommy"

Abbey Memorial Chapel
front Untitled snowy view of Abbey Chapel
back "Abbey Memorial Chapel Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Massachusetts 01075 The chapel at Mount Holyoke is the center of religious life on campus and also serves as the setting for many college ceremonies." Divided back, postmarked Jul 26, 1984 1pm in Washington DC. #641453. "Cap-i-tain!! I think its wonderbar that you are in Wilder next year! PSYCH-OUT! Can you believe we only have 60 Days until classes start?!! [smile] Gambi the Dersu" Addressed to C. W. Reed.

Abbey Chapel
front Untitled oil painting of Abbey Chapel
back "Abbey Chapel, 1994 Oil on canvas (Mount Holyoke College S. Hadley, Massachusetts)" Jean Choi

Abbey Memorial Chapel
front "Abbey Memorial Chapel, Mount Holyoke College" I also own the negative that was used to create this card.
back No printed markings. Pencil inscription: "4 3/4"

Mary Lyon Hall and Abbey Chapel
front "Mary Lyon Hall and Abbey Chapel, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts" I also own the negative that was used to create this card.
back Divided back, unused. Artvue Post Card Co., 225 Fifth Ave., New York, NY.

P9085 Mary Lyon Chapel
front A real photo card. "P9085 Mary Lyon Chapel, Mt. Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass." "Photo Underwood and Underwood, NY"
back Divided back, stamp box, unused but marked with glue stains from being in an album.

Mary Lyon Chapel
front "South Hadley, Mass. Mary Lyon Chapel, Front View"
back Divided back, postmarked Sep 23, 1910 5pm in South Hadley. Published by C. A. Gridley & Son, #34015. "We have been pretty busy admiring our new wall paper, adjusting the angles of our pictures, and straightening out the poor freshmen but I will write very soon. With my "bestest" love, M."
[In the book!]

H13660 The Mary Lyon Chapel
front "The Mary Lyon Chapel, Mt. Holyoke, So. Hadley, Mass."
back Divided back, postmarked Sep 1915 in South Hadley. #H13660 Published by The Robbins Bros Co., Boston. "Dear Carrie: Arrived at So. Hadley at 8 o'clock prompt. [Freda] very nearly losing our car at Amherst. Had to run for it. It is beautiful here. We have a good room. Lovingly, Faith."
[In the book!]

Abbey Memorial Chapel
front "Abbey Memorial Chapel, Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, Mass."
back Divided back, postmarked Jun 4, 1946 5pm in Warehouse Point, CT. Published by Robert A. Glesmann, South Hadley, Mass. and the Albertype Co., Brooklyn, NY. "Warehouse Point CT Tues A.M. I had the College Book Shop mail the pin to you. It goes out today insured. I owe you .70c which I'll send as soon as I have opportunity. We three succeeded in getting commencement tickets (McFarland, Marks and I). Mesick and Knox as trustees, had seats in front row on stage! Six spaces were left for lunch in Woodbridge after Commencement Exercises. Then I came down by bus for a visit with Mother & sister - Love, Martha Hilditch" Addressed to Mabel Hotchkiss.

Mary Lyon Hall and Abbey Chapel
front "Mary Lyon Hall and Abbey Chapel, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts"
back Divided back, postally unused but inscribed "Hi Renalde! Sorry I didn't write sooner. Had a terrific time today - went to Outing Club 4 mi. from here for supper, climbed Mt. Holyoke. I am going to a mixer with Amherst College tomorrow - living in South Mandelle Hall. Love, Alice. P.S. Write when you get a chance." Artvue Post Card Co., 225 Fifth Ave., New York, NY.
[In the book!]

Doorway - Abbey Memorial Chapel
front "Doorway - Abbey Memorial Chapel, Mount Holyoke College" I also own the negative that was used to create this card.
back Divided back, stamp box, unused. Just a rough draft; it's not marked like the finished postcard was.

Rear Entrance to Chapel
front "Rear Entrance to Chapel, Mary Lyon Hall. Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Mass."
back Divided back, stamp box, unused. AZO.

Abbey Memorial Chapel
front Untitled
back "Abbey Memorial Chapel Mt. Holyoke College South Hadley, Mass" Divided back, postmarked May 196x in South Hadley. Published by Bromley and Company, Inc., Boston 15, Mass. MA-1392. "Dear Miriam, So sorry to hear you are slightly wilted at the moment!! We had a great service in Abbey Chapel this morning, enriched by voices of Roy and Janice. Lou would have enjoyed it. Get well soon! Ruth Douglass"

Chapel from the rear
front A real photo of the chapel. Inscription: "Chapel from the rear"
back Divided back, postmarked Dec 19, 1909 4:30pm in South Hadley. AZO. "A Glad Christmas and a Joyous New Year! I think of you often. Sincerely yours, Flora Bridges"

Abbey Chapel
front Untitled.
back Divided back, unused. "Mount Holyoke College - Abbey Chapel South Hadley, Massachusetts" Photography by Peg Sullivan. "Across the street from the Odyssey Bookshop. www.odysseybks.com" Purchased in 2007 in the Odyssey.

2299 Mary Lyon Chapel
front "2299 Mary Lyon Chapel So. Hadley Mass."
back Divided back, unused.

Chapel Organ
front A real photo view of the organ in the chapel. Inscription: "Mary Lyon."
back Divided back, stamp box, postally unused but inscribed "Mary Lyon". Stamp box design dates this card between 1904 and 1918.