a crown installation system for forming a crown in place on a pillar in a manner that avoids the need for heavy and complicated concrete form structures . the crown installation system includes a kit for forming a crown on a pillar , such as a chimney , having a perimeter wall with an outer surface and an upper surface converging at an outer upper perimeter edge . the kit includes a plurality of form members , with each form member being adapted for forming a portion of the outer surface of the crown . each of the form members has opposite ends and an outer face . a plurality of support members are provided for supporting the form members . each of the support members has a front surface for pressing against a portion of the outer surface of one of the form members . a tension member is provided for holding the support members in position against the form members such that the form members are restricted from outward movement . the invention also includes a method of utilizing the kit to form a crown on a pillar .