Chapel of the Resurrection
Encyclopedia
The Chapel of the Resurrection is the centerpiece structure on the campus of Valparaiso University
in Valparaiso, Indiana
. It has been described as the largest collegiate chapel
in the United States
and the second largest collegiate chapel in the world. Because judgments about the relative size of such buildings can be difficult, other universities have made similar claims (e.g., Duke Chapel
, Stanford Memorial Church
).
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The chapel's chancel
is 98 feet (29.9 m) high and is circular in shape; the roof of the apse
is shaped like a nine-pointed star. The nave
is 58 feet (17.7 m) high and 193 feet (58.8 m) long. The building capacity is around 2000, although this number is flexible depending upon the configuration of the pew
s, which are moveable.
Primarily used to facilitate the many Lutheran
campus worship services, the Chapel of the Resurrection also serves as a site for convocations, musical performances, guest lectures, and commencement ceremonies.
Clearly visible from U.S. Route 30
and throughout the surrounding community, the building is located on the highest point of ground on the Valparaiso University campus and is a Northwest Indiana
landmark.
, though certain elements and features (e.g., the stone baptistry, the stained glass
windows, etc.) were designed by other artists. Total construction costs were about $7.5 million, much of which came through individual donations.
The building was dedicated in 1959, part of Valparaiso University's centennial celebration, and officially designated as the Chapel of the Resurrection at the 10th anniversary service in 1969.
organbuilder Herman Schlicker. A contract for the organ was signed on September 27, 1957 at a cost of $68,000. These funds paid for about three-quarters of the entire specification, the price of which would have been $98,000. Paul Bunjes of Concordia College
, River Forest, Illinois
, was retained as consultant. The instrument was dedicated at the morning Eucharist
on September 27, 1959, and was featured that evening in a recital by E. Power Biggs
to a record audience of over 2,000 people. It was rebuilt and enlarged in 1995-1996 by Dobson Pipe Organ Builders
of Lake City, Iowa
.
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso University, known colloquially as Valpo, is a regionally accredited private university located in the city of Valparaiso in the U.S. state of Indiana. Founded in 1859, it consists of five undergraduate colleges, a graduate school, a nursing school and a law school...
in Valparaiso, Indiana
Valparaiso, Indiana
Valparaiso is a city in and the county seat of Porter County, Indiana, United States. The population was 31,730 at the 2010 census, making it the 2nd largest city in Porter County.-History:...
. It has been described as the largest collegiate chapel
Chapel
A chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
in the United States
Religion in the United States
Religion in the United States is characterized by both a wide diversity in religious beliefs and practices, and by a high adherence level. According to recent surveys, 83 percent of Americans claim to belong to a religious denomination, 40 percent claim to attend services nearly every week or...
and the second largest collegiate chapel in the world. Because judgments about the relative size of such buildings can be difficult, other universities have made similar claims (e.g., Duke Chapel
Duke Chapel
Duke University Chapel is a chapel located at the center of the campus of Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. It is an ecumenical Christian chapel and the center of religion at Duke, and has connections to the United Methodist Church...
, Stanford Memorial Church
Stanford Memorial Church
Stanford Memorial Church is located at the center of the Stanford University campus in Stanford, California, United States. It was built during the American Renaissance by Jane Stanford as a memorial to her husband Leland. Designed by architect Charles A...
).
Description
Chancel
In church architecture, the chancel is the space around the altar in the sanctuary at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building...
is 98 feet (29.9 m) high and is circular in shape; the roof of the apse
Apse
In architecture, the apse is a semicircular recess covered with a hemispherical vault or semi-dome...
is shaped like a nine-pointed star. The nave
Nave
In Romanesque and Gothic Christian abbey, cathedral basilica and church architecture, the nave is the central approach to the high altar, the main body of the church. "Nave" was probably suggested by the keel shape of its vaulting...
is 58 feet (17.7 m) high and 193 feet (58.8 m) long. The building capacity is around 2000, although this number is flexible depending upon the configuration of the pew
Pew
A pew is a long bench seat or enclosed box used for seating members of a congregation or choir in a church, or sometimes in a courtroom.-Overview:Churches were not commonly furnished with permanent pews before the Protestant Reformation...
s, which are moveable.
Primarily used to facilitate the many Lutheran
Lutheranism
Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German reformer. Luther's efforts to reform the theology and practice of the church launched the Protestant Reformation...
campus worship services, the Chapel of the Resurrection also serves as a site for convocations, musical performances, guest lectures, and commencement ceremonies.
Clearly visible from U.S. Route 30
U.S. Route 30
U.S. Route 30 is an east–west main route of the system of United States Numbered Highways, with the highway traveling across the northern tier of the country. It is the third longest U.S. route, after U.S. Route 20 and U.S. Route 6. The western end of the highway is at Astoria, Oregon; the...
and throughout the surrounding community, the building is located on the highest point of ground on the Valparaiso University campus and is a Northwest Indiana
Northwest Indiana
Northwest Indiana, also known as the South Shore and The Calumet Region or simply The Region, comprises Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton and Jasper counties in Indiana. This region neighbors Lake Michigan and is part of the Chicago metropolitan area...
landmark.
History
Groundbreaking for the Chapel construction took place in 1956. The building was designed by the architectural firm Charles Stade and Associates of Park Ridge, IllinoisPark Ridge, Illinois
-Climate:-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 37,775 people, 14,219 households, and 10,465 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,374.6 people per square mile . There were 14,646 housing units at an average density of 2,083.8 per square mile...
, though certain elements and features (e.g., the stone baptistry, the stained glass
Stained glass
The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings...
windows, etc.) were designed by other artists. Total construction costs were about $7.5 million, much of which came through individual donations.
The building was dedicated in 1959, part of Valparaiso University's centennial celebration, and officially designated as the Chapel of the Resurrection at the 10th anniversary service in 1969.
Organ
The Reddel Organ in the Chapel was commissioned by Buffalo, New YorkBuffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
organbuilder Herman Schlicker. A contract for the organ was signed on September 27, 1957 at a cost of $68,000. These funds paid for about three-quarters of the entire specification, the price of which would have been $98,000. Paul Bunjes of Concordia College
Concordia University Chicago
Concordia University Chicago is an American private, Lutheran liberal arts university located in the Illinois suburb of River Forest, 10 miles west of Chicago.-Description:...
, River Forest, Illinois
River Forest, Illinois
River Forest is a suburban village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Two universities make their home in River Forest, Dominican University and Concordia University Chicago. The village is closely tied to the larger neighboring community of Oak Park, Illinois. There are significant...
, was retained as consultant. The instrument was dedicated at the morning Eucharist
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
on September 27, 1959, and was featured that evening in a recital by E. Power Biggs
E. Power Biggs
Edward George Power Biggs , more familiarly known as E. Power Biggs, was a British-born American concert organist and recording artist.-Biography:...
to a record audience of over 2,000 people. It was rebuilt and enlarged in 1995-1996 by Dobson Pipe Organ Builders
Dobson Pipe Organ Builders
Dobson Pipe Organ Builders is a manufacturer of pipe organs based in Lake City, Iowa.The company was founded in 1974 by Lynn A. Dobson, who serves as President and Artistic Director. The company has produced over 80 instruments of a wide variety of sizes and restored a number of historic organs. ...
of Lake City, Iowa
Lake City, Iowa
Lake City is a city in Calhoun County, Iowa, United States, founded in 1856. The population was 1,787 at the 2000 census. The sign coming into town proudly proclaims that Lake City has "Everything but a Lake."...
.
External links
- Chapel of the Resurrection -- official website
- Virtual tour of the chapel
- Organ history