Jeptha Homer Wade

Jeptha H. Wade is an important figure in not only Cleveland history, but cemetery history specifically. Wade helped to coordinate the creation of Lake View Cemetery and was the first president of the Lake View Cemetery Association, thus his huge monument at one of the highest points of the cemetery.

Nationally, Wade’s most significant contribution would have been in the construction of telegraph lines as one of the founders of Western Union. He was also a banker, railroad executive, painter, and philanthropist. His name lives on in Cleveland in the Wade Park (a park on land he donated) and the Jeptha Wade Chapel at Lake View Cemetery.

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A visit to Wade Chapel

Lake View Cemetery is known for its gorgeous views, but one of its crowning glories is the Wade Chapel. The Chapel, dedicated to the memory of Western Union telegraph founder and philanthropist Jeptha Wade, serves as a location for events including both funerals and weddings. The interior was designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany and is themed “voyage of life.”

The theme is expressed through mosaics and stained glass. The most challenging part about photographing the interior is that it is a huge mass of light and highly reflective surfaces.

Barring special events, Wade Chapel is open April through October, and there has always been a docent on hand to answer questions when I have stopped in.

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