The Creation of the Isis Chapel

The Creation of the Isis Chapel

The Isis Chapel at Isis Oasis

How the Isis Chapel Came to Be ...

Shortly after her ordination as a priestess into the Fellowship of Isis on July 19th of 1983, Loreon was inspired to create a temple on the property of Isis Oasis. The temple building began with the creation of a square box structure that was twelve feet high, twelve feet wide and twelve feet long. Loreon had a round skylight put in the center of the roof in addition to one large window on the back wall facing the chapel doors. The skylight was added so that not only sunlight but the light of the moon and stars could be admitted into the temple interior. She placed four shelves in each corner of the interior of the building to create altars to the four physical elements. Each altar displays items representing earth, air, fire and water, aligned to the four directions.

Loreon writes: "I decided to add a facade onto the temple structure, making it look larger from the outside than it actually is on the inside. I wanted it to make it look like a smaller version of an ancient Egyptian temple." Loreon had begun collecting items of ancient Egyptian motif for many years. Her collection included some plaster bas reliefs of Egyptian motifs that could be used on the outer facade. But she knew that more items would be needed to create the effect she had envisioned.

Loreon heard of a theatre in downtown Oakland, the Grand Lake Theatre, famous for its Egyptian themed interior decorations. The Grand Lake had opened its doors at the height of what is known as the 'Egyptian Revival' period in March of 1926. The discovery of the tomb of King Tutankhamun in late1922 fueled public imagination and influenced art and architecture for some years afterwards. The theatre manager of the Grand Lake allowed Loreon inside to view the interior, even though the theatre was closed. He proudly escorted Loreon through the theatre auditorium to view huge solar wings, ornate lotus pillars and many other bas reliefs that depicted ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, gods and goddesses. The Egyptian theatre auditorium had just been refurbished, many of the architectural elements had come from a local artisan workshop in Oakland.

Subsequently, Loreon made arrangements to visit the workshop of the man who had provided the decorative plasters for the theatre. His name was Dusty Dillon. Loreon writes: "He had a real feeling for what it would take to make my temple complete." Adding several pieces from his studio work to previous pieces in her collection, Loreon was able to create the beautiful exterior facade of the Isis Chapel. It is one of the most photographed sites on the property of Isis Oasis. Currently, the only other to rival it as the most photographed feature is the 500 year old Fir Tree. Loreon writes: "The Chapel facade had to be decorative because the Isis Chapel is located at the guest entrance of the property. When folks drive into Isis Oasis it is the first thing they see after passing the purple obelisk."

As one enters the Isis Chapel, directly ahead is an altar on the back wall situated beneath a large window which provides a lovely view of nature. A beautiful stained glass in the form of a triptych is located just above the altar. It depicts the falcon of Horus and a kneeling Isis. This window was created by Loreon. Many of the art pieces, including enamels, paintings and stained glass pieces at Isis Oasis were made by her. Loreon personally added the other features to the inside of the Isis Chapel.

Of her work she writes: "I painted the inside walls of the Isis Chapel with ancient Egyptian symbols, Goddesses and Gods. A dear friend presented a beautiful rug for the chapel floor. I put astrological signs in gold leaf on the ceiling circling around the skylight. I was inspired to do this by the round zodiac of Dendera. I was delighted to find afterwards that the temple provides a spectacular acoustic quality when we chant inside."

Loreon and two ocelots in front of the Isis Chapel

2008 marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the creation of the Isis Chapel. It has been in continuous use as a sacred space since 1983. Many consider it to be the heart of the many beautiful and sacred buildings at Isis Oasis. A resonance from twenty five years of prayers, chanting and ritual permeates the atmosphere of this very special chapel dedicated to the Goddess Isis.

Photo of Isis Chapel front exterior © Loreon Vigne. Photo of 500 year old Fir Tree and Isis Chapel interior © Linda Iles. Photo of Olivia Robertson in Isis Chapel © Loreon Vigne. Photo of Loreon and ocelots in front of Isis Chapel © Loreon Vigne. All photos are copyrighted. All rights reserved. All photos used by permission.

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