The Tabernacle

The tabernacle is the only intact interior piece of the chapel believed to exist today. Descendants of the Carroll family donated the wooden altarpiece to the Sisters of Mercy in Baltimore in 1859. Legend held that the Calvert family brought the tabernacle to St. Mary’s City and it is likely the piece mentioned in Charles Carroll’s 1720-estate inventory.

Director of Research Dr. Henry Miller has been leading reconstruction efforts. The Sisters of Mercy have graciously permitted researchers to measure and photograph the tabernacle. Dr. Miller has completed scale drawings of the tabernacle and will soon begin modifying those to incorporate current research describing what the piece may have looked like in the 17th century.

A request for proposals to reconstruct the tabernacle for the Chapel drew a good bit of interest from cabinetmakers. The contract has been awarded to Featherbed Lane Craftsmen of Elkton, Maryland.

Tabernacle Materials

Dr. Harry Alden, of the Smithsonian Institution, was allowed to take samples of wood from the tabernacle. Alden has since determined the body of the piece is juniper, the elaborately carved trim is true mahogany, and the backboards, which are probably replacements, are magnolia.

Dr. Melvin Wachowiak analyzed the surface treatment and found an early coating of red paint, a later finish of white paint, and evidence of recent restoration. The carvings (top right) were also analyzed. A micrograph of a cross section of the carving (below) showed this element was treated with gesso, sealer, sizing, and gold leaf.

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