Concerned Families of Oak Grove Memorial Mausoleum and Chapel

The construction of the first and main entrance section of Oak Grove Memorial Mausoleum was completed in 1928 with the additional five sections being completed in 1932, 1938, 1947, 1957, and 1971. It is constructed of monolithic reinforced concrete with granite blocks anchored to the exterior concrete walls. The mausoleum faces East, with the additional sections spanning to the North and South. The mausoleum was co-designed by Tom Barnett, whose remains are entombed here. As you enter the first floor rotunda and look upward, you will see the interior of the gold dome. From floor to eye of the dome is 65 feet. The dome design is modeled after the Pantheon. It is in two parts, the lower dome is in a symmetrical arrangement of 22k gold leaf and the upper lighted dome consists of a mural representing the heavens at night. This area is where the building suffers the most damage caused by water leaking around the outside of the dome. The lights in the dome no longer work due to this damage. The interior of the building consists of imported marble and bronze. Hand wrought bronze gates enclose private and semi-private family rooms lining each hall, and varied tones of marble cover the walls, floor, and staircases. We have water damage to most of the marble floor and discoloration to many marble crypt fronts. There are three levels in the main section of the building, with the third being the organ balcony and adjoining crypts. Most of the plaster work in this area has been severely destroyed by water leakage. The building has also suffered damage by vandals. Most of the original copper guttering has been taken along with several bronze vent covers and statues from the interior. One of the stained glass windows imported from Munich and in a semi-private family room has a three inch hole from an object being thrown through it from the outside. The Oak Grove Chapel is of Tudor Gothic architecture and was designed by Lovell & Lovell, co-designer of the mausoleum. It is constructed of monolithic concrete with Bedford stone on the exterior and was completed in 1940. The interior supporting beams are reinforced concrete finished to appear as oak, with a cork ceiling. The chapel is equipped with a hydraulic elevator where a casket is placed and then lowered to the cremation chamber after funeral services. The chapel has columbarium rooms lining either side, constructed of marble and bronze. The damage appearing in and around the chapel is due to vandals breaking stained glass windows, security lighting, and gutters. The lack of gutters has caused water damage to several rooms and the wiring. The significance of those entombed in Oak Grove Memorial Mausoleum and Chapel far exceeds the monetary value. These buildings serve as the final resting place for many well-respected individuals and families not only on a local or state level, but nationally as well. Some of the most recognizable names are: Tom P. Barnett – architect of many historically significant structures in and around Saint Louis, Henry Kiel – 32nd Mayor of Saint Louis from 1913 to 1925, also as president of Kiel and Daues Contracting Company where he played a role in constructing many historically significant structures in Saint Louis, William B. Ittner – architect who designed over 430 schools nationwide along with many other buildings. Thirty-five of his buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places. He was the son of U.S. Congressman Anthony F. Ittner. Franklin W. Olin and family – Chairman of the Board and founder of Olin Industries, Benjamin Reese and family – Managing Editor at Saint Louis Post Dispatch, and Theodore C. Wetterau and family – Chairman of Wetterau Foods, Inc which was founded by his father George. Both the mausoleum and chapel are designed and decorated with an art museum quality. Housed in the mausoleum are numerous bronze and marble statues from all over the world, including Gloria Victus, which was displayed in the City Hall of Paris for twenty-five years before being purchased and brought to Saint Louis by Hugh Campbell, a well known art collector. A marble statue titled “Three Dancing Girls” was purchased by Mrs. Anheuser at the 1904 World’s Fair where it was part of an Italian exhibit, and is currently displayed on the main level in section one. The buildings also contain many walls filled with stained glass designed by the Franz Mayer Company of Munich, and the 24x15 rendering of the Ascension – designed by the Tiffany Studios in New York, and rescued from an old Episcopal Church on the verge of being razed. Art and architecture students from nationally recognized universities often visit the buildings of Oak Grove to find inspiration and study the craftsmanship of the artwork housed here. The most damaging issue we currently face is water. Due to subpar repairs performed on the dome, this is the area in most need. In the past year, the plaster and marble tiles in the rotunda have been rapidly deteriorating. Most, if not all of the plasterwork has some degree of damage due to water leaking through the dome. The mausoleum receives a large amount of water runoff from Hanley Road which seeps into the basement, causing significant damage to the boiler system and other utilities housed there. The next most damaging issue is neglect due to lack of funding and interest. We sincerely hope, by creating this page, to remind the public locally and nationwide of the importance in and around this architectural gem. Because its location is tucked into the far boundary line of the property, many people are simply not aware that this beautiful place exists and is in dire need of help.