About Our Work to Preserve History

At the heart of the cemetery is the original chapel that has served families for over 100 years. The design and construction of ‘Old Kapelle’ was completed by George and August Brink (G.& A. Brink), German-American architects in Cincinnati during the late 1800s. The Brinks’ designs incorporate elaborate carving and distinctive stone work. Their work reflects the round-arch medieval style found throughout Germany and prominent in late 19^th century American architecture. Two blind round arched stone windows are on either side of the entrance and a stone roundel is located directly above the entrance. The cross gables feature similarly detailed finials and round arched cornice molding. The octagonal conical roofed steeple is located at the crossing of the gables over the entrance. Smooth stone-engaged columns define the comers of the chapel. The east and west side elevations have three bays featuring round arched stained glass windows. The front bay is the gable end of the cross-gable roof and displays similar round arched cornice molding and stone roundel. The interior of the chapel features a barrel-vaulted nave with carved round arch ribs terminating in round columns spaced between each side window. At the south end of the chapel is a large stain glass rose window above an arched central focal point with decorative plaster detailing flanked by two sets of double wood doors. The wood doors have round arched panels and stain glass transoms with wood surrounds. The rear mortuary features a slate hip roof with tile cresting and a gable dormer vent with round arched stone pediment on the rear south elevation. The mortuarv and porte cochere display highly detailed cornice molding of a band of round arches and a zigzag pattern. The east and west elevations of the mortuary have large circular stained-glass windows surrounded by a similar zigzag stone pattern. The south elevation has a large blind round arched window with intersecting tracery flanked by two smaller narrow round arched windows. Engaged round columns with a smooth stone finish define the corners of the mortuary. 

Working almost exclusively with German American clients, the majority of the Brinks’ structures were residential, centered in the West End. It is important to preserve this example of the German influence on the Queen City’s architecture and culture from this period. The artisanship and ornate detail, reflecting the pride in one’s craft, reminds us of values we would be remiss to discount.

                                                  Did you know that the Brink’s were contemporaries of Samuel Hannaford?