A little above the arcature is a border of roses. The upper half of the side walls presents a unique feature in a sort of triforium gallery built in the thickness of the wall. The pavement of Knoxville, Tenn. pink marble is bordered with black Belgian marble. The simple marble Altar in the form of a table resting on red marble pillars has no reredos. The Seven Windows, three in the Sanctuary and four in the clerestory, by Mr. Charles Connick of Boston, Mass., are of grisaille[37] work in geometrical designs, the Sanctuary windows being inset with pictorial medallions in painted mosaic glass in the mediaeval style. In the central window over the Altar the medallions depict scenes in the life of St. Martin as follows, beginning at the bottom and reading upward: In the left-hand light (1) St. Martin receives sword and enters army; (2) divides his cloak with the beggar; (3) has vision of Christ wearing the severed cloak which he had given to the beggar; and (4) is baptized. In the middle light, (1) He converts the robber; (2) revives the dead man; (3) is affectionately welcomed on his return to Tours; and (4) destroys the heathen temple. In the right-hand light, (1) He intercedes with Count Avitianus for the release of prisoners; (2) pleads for Priscillian’s life; (3) dies; and (4) the ship bearing his body is mysteriously propelled. In the middle light of the window at the left of the Altar are scenes in the life of St. Louis: (1) His coronation; (2) his release of prisoners at Paris; (3) his ministration to sick soldiers during the first Crusade; and (4) his departure on the second Crusade. In the middle light of the window at the right of the Altar are scenes in the life of Joan of Arc: (1) Her vision; (2) the capture of Orleans; (3) the coronation of Charles VII.; and (4) her martyrdom at the stake. In the circular lights at the top of the seven windows are the following coats-of-arms (left to right): (1) On a blue field, three golden fleurs de lis above a white wreath of oak and laurel with red fruit, representing the City of Rheims.[38] (2) On a blue field sprinkled with golden fleurs de lis, the Mother and Child, representing the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. (3) Seven horizontal bars, alternately blue and gold, being the arms of Bertrand d’Eschaux, Archbishop of Tours. (4) On a blue field, a white Latin cross with trefoiled ends, being the arms of the Chapter of Poitiers. (5) On a blue cloak surrounded by red, a white sword, cross-hilt upward, emblematic of St. Martin. (6) On a blue field sprinkled with golden fleurs de lis, a red Greek cross, representing the Archdiocese of Rheims.[39] (7) On a blue field, three golden fleurs de lis under a white “label” or mark of cadency of eldest son,[40] being the royal arms of the Dukes of Orleans. A Statue of Joan of Arc, expressing her spiritual character, by Miss Anna Vaughn Hyatt, was placed in this chapel in 1922. It was given by Mr. J. Sanford Saltus through Dr. George F. Kunz, President of the Joan of Arc Statue Committee which erected the equestrian statue of the Maid by the same sculptress in Riverside Drive. Near it are two rough stones from the Chateau de Rouen in which the Maid was imprisoned at the time of her trial and from which she was led to the stake. The wrought-iron Screen of beautiful tracery at the entrance, designed in the office of Messrs. Cram & Ferguson and made by Messrs. F. Krasser & Co., of Boston, is a particularly lovely example of this form of art. While not copied from any existing mediaeval prototype, it shows the influence of the wrought-iron work of the Romanesque and early Gothic periods of France. The shell ornament in the section below the cornice is symbolical of St. Martin as a pilgrim, while the finials and cresting, blossoming with roses, signify the flowering of the Christian religion. In the frieze are four panels depicting four scenes which are described in a quaintly lettered inscription in the moulding above:
“S. Martin shares cloak with Beggar ‖ Our Lord appears in cloak to S. Martin ‖ S. Martin receives holy baptism ‖ Saint Martin journeys to Rome.”
Coats of Arms in Windows of Chapel of St. Martin of Tours.
An inscription on the wall of the chapel reads:
“The Chapel of ‖ Saint Martin of Tours ‖ Consecrated 1918 ‖ To the worship of ‖ Almighty God ‖ and in Loving Memory of ‖ William P. Furniss ‖ and His Wife ‖ Sophia Furniss ‖ and their Daughter ‖ Sophia R. C. Furniss.”
In another panel is this inscription:
“To the ‖ Glory of God ‖ and in Loving Memory of ‖ Clementina Furniss ‖by Whose Gift ‖ this Chapel ‖ was Erected ‖ and ‖ Margaret Elizabeth Zimmerman ‖ Daughters of ‖ William P. Furniss ‖ and his wife ‖ Sophia Furniss.”