The formal debut of the Anthony Chapel complex at Garvan Woodland Gardens, the University of Arkansas' botanical garden in Hot Springs, has long been anticipated. The $5.5 million project, which broker ground in September 2004, was officially dedicated in a series of events and special ceremony on September 30, 2006.
The chapel has already gained popularity with brides-to-be since the first wedding was held in May of this year. Garvan Gardens has booked more than 83 weddings in the elegant wood, glass, and stone chapel through September 2007.
In addition to the Anthony Chapel, the five-structure complex also houses private changing quarters for the bride and groom. When not being utilized by wedding attendants, the 1,560-square-foot Millsap Bride's Hall will provide the gardens with much needed meeting space and will contain a full kitchen to accommodate catering needs. The 1,000 square-foot Evans Groom's Quarters will provide space for the ceremony officiant and an office for the on-site wedding supervisor.
The complex features a celebration garden complete with a masonry-arched bridge designed by resident landscape architect and garden director, Bob Byers, and nationally known Japanese garden designer, David Slawson of Cleveland, Ohio. The garden serves as an exquisite landscaped link between the bride's hall and chapel. The Anthony Carillon, a 59-foot octagonal bell tower comprising sixteen copper-clad columns, completes the complex. The bells will be programmed to play every hour on the hour when the gardens are open, as well as communicate chapel events as it chimes throughout the gardens.
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