Feature: Alumni Memorial Chapel Celebrating 50 Years
Donated by alumni as a memorial to Spartans who died in wartime, the Alumni Memorial Chapel has served generations of students.
After half a century, MSU’s Alumni Memorial Chapel, tucked just north of the Red Cedar River on Auditorium Road next to Kresge Art Center, remains a spiritual oasis for Spartans—beloved by many, but perhaps not universally known.
Countless thousands of Spartans have been married at the chapel since it was first built “in honor of those who served their country, and in memory of those who made the supreme sacrifice,” as it proclaims in Gothic carvings above its entrance. Even today, it handles some 160 nuptials a year, often three on Saturdays. Yet, according to sexton Bonnie Westbrook, “very few students know we even exist.”
This September the chapel became a little better known, however, when ceremonies for its 50th anniversary took place Sept. 21 prior to the Notre Dame football game. Hosted by the ROTC Alumni Board and the MSU Religious Advisors Association, the event drew many couples who had been married at the chapel as well as other visitors, including keynote speaker President Peter McPherson, who explained the significance of the chapel to the community.
“The tragic events of the past year have made the chapel more central in our communal life,” McPherson said at the rededication ceremony. “In times of great need as well as in times of celebration, this chapel has served us well. As we reflect on its 50 year history, I believe that we can look forward to the important place that the Alumni Memorial Chapel will continue to hold on into the future.”
Visitors at the festivities were invited to sign a guest registry, to view a historical display, arranged in cooperation with the MSU Museum, and best of all, to peruse the dramatic series of stained-glass windows. In Westbrook’s words, “These are truly the hidden jewels of Michigan State.”
One of MSU’s “ivy-covered halls,” the chapel was conceived in the early 1950s by alumni director Glen C. Stewart as part of an international center complex. But only the chapel portion of the plan survived; its construction would honor some 6,800 alumni who defended our nation in various wars and serve as a tribute to the several hundred who failed to return to their alma mater. It was only the second such building to be erected for a Big Ten school. The architect was Ralph R. Calder, who also designed MSU’s Music Building; Claud Erickson served as consulting architect and engineer. Ground was actually broken in 1951 and on June 7th 1952, then known as “Alumni Day,” President John A. Hannah dedicated the chapel in an impressive ceremony.
“I know,” Hannah said in his dedication speech, “the alumni who built it had strongly in their mind their intention to promote the cause of universal peace by making young people increasingly aware of the realities of human brotherhood.”
Many of the phrases Hannah uttered that day, such as “Respect for the Truth” and “Belief in a Good God,” are inscribed in the windows located in the chapel’s narthex or entrance.
Though Episcopal in design, the chapel remains interdenominational, serving as a spiritual center for all religions and faiths. MSU accepted more than 30 gracious gifts from generous alumni, mostly stones from European cathedrals, to underscore this non-sectarianism. Some of the stones are over 500 years old, and some were from bombed-out churches. Stones hailed from St. Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey in London, from the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, and even from the White House. Stones also came from the ruins of a cathedral built by the Crusaders in Caesaria, the Roman capital of Palestine, and from a synagogue from Capernium, where Jesus Christ reportedly preached.
These gifts were expressions of support for the interfaith nature of the chapel, a point that bears re-emphasizing in the post-September 11 era, when religious tolerance is being tested across the nation.
Carved into the chapel’s entrance wall are 487 names of those who served in wars and perished. The oldest names were from the Class of 1861, students who died in the Civil War. Names from the Vietnam War era were recently added to an honor roll, although, as Westbrook notes, “Some might still be missing, so if anyone knows of any former student who died in the Vietnam War, they should let us know.” The most recent name was Robert Paz, who in 1989 became the first U.S. casualty during the incursion into Panama. Seen together, much like the names on the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C., the list evokes a powerful response and remains a grim reminder of the human cost of wars.
Adding drama, color and light to the chapel are the 38 dramatic stained-glass windows, most of them arranged in groups of three, or tryptichs. “These superb windows, unique and sometimes bizarre in their symbolism, are one of the great hidden treasures of Michigan State—required viewing for every Spartan,” wrote Mark Galik in The Graduate Post (Spring 1997).
The pictures on one side depict ideals of civilization—such concepts as Work, Abundance and Community, and Freedom of the Mind. On the other side, they tell the history of the university, including such milestones as Morrill Act of 1862, which established Michigan Agricultural College as the nation’s pioneer land-grant university, and the admission of women in 1870. Other windows explore various sacred as well as secular themes. Overall they seem to depict the moral and educational goals of Michigan State University. Themes include the Liberal Arts, Farmers Institute, Engineering, Student Activities, Applied Science, Agriculture, Learning, Faith, Hope and Love, Religion, Science, Technology, Creativity, Aspiration, Art, Brotherhood, Diffusion of Knowledge, Dignity of the Individual, International Peace and Respect for Truth.
The chapel also houses a stunning collection of valuable old Bibles, several dozen of them resting in a wooden case. Reflecting the international orientation of the chapel’s founding, these sacred books come in 69 different languages including Swahili, Burmese and Ashanti. A rare King James Bible from 1759, well displayed in the bookcase, was donated by Harry D. Baker, Class of 1895. As a former sexton noted, “It’s valuable enough to keep under lock and key.”
More than 5,000 alumni and friends helped to raise the more than $200,000 needed to complete the chapel. After 50 years, it still stands—nestled among trees, the site of countless weddings, baptisms, wakes and other events for MSU alumni, students and staff. Its simple elegance, soaring timbered ceilings, mellow floor tiles and the old world charm of its English Tudor styling are just a few of the touches remembered by alumni who wed at their alma mater.
Its original pipe organ, however, a one-of-a-kind Pels from Holland, needs to be repaired. The organ was a gift from Lansing resident O.W. Mourer. Over time, some of the 1,332 pipes have suffered from progressive warping. “It needs to be refurbished badly, and that’s been the dream of everyone here,” says Westbrook. “Some years ago we looked into buying a new organ, but it would have cost more than $220,000.”
Accordingly, she is hoping for an outpouring of support especially from those who harbor precious memories of the chapel. Those interested in helping can contact Westbrook at 517-355-0155. To reserve the chapel, contact the MSU Union (517-355-3460), which oversees its management.