wfn.org | School of Theology at Sewanee dedicates new chapel

[ENS@ecunet.org]

2000-163

School of Theology at Sewanee dedicates new chapel
http://www.ecusa.anglican.org/ens

by Sarah Moore

     (ENS) In a celebration that included a festival Eucharist, pageantry and 
special music, the School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, 
Tennessee, dedicated its new chapel October 11.

     Bishop Don Wimberly, chancellor of the university and assisting bishop of 
Texas, led guests, faculty, students and a dozen bishops through the doors of the 
Chapel of the Apostles. The 250-seat chapel is a soaring medley of southern 
forest woods, clear glass, and Tennessee sandstone set in a grove of trees on a 
gentle incline in front of the seminary's academic building.

     The cypress exterior and slate roof, with skylights along its peak, is 
surrounded by sandstone walls and a plaza connecting it to the academic center. 
Inside, amidst handcrafted lighting, interlocking beams of Douglas fir rise 53 
feet to create a ceiling of natural angles.

     "The structural pieces are part of the beauty of the building," said Maurice 
Jennings, supervising architect on the project and a partner with E. Fay Jones 
since 1973. "The small and large pieces cast shadows which play on the interior 
and make a palette of colors. Natural light is very important."

     Jennings designed all the major liturgical furnishings, including the font, 
altar and lectern, as well as altar chairs, wall lanterns and exterior lights. 
The influence of Frank Lloyd Wright is evident, due in part to Jones serving as 
an apprentice to the world-renowned architect in 1953.

     A small oratory, a place set aside for prayer, is located to one side of the 
narthex. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it also includes a reconciliation room.

     The 50-member seminary choir performed special music composed by Richard 
Shephard of York Cathedral in England, who is serving as a fellow at the 
university during Advent Term.

     Dean Guy Lytle III preached a sermon giving thanks to the many benefactors 
who have made the vision of a seminary chapel a reality, especially Paul and 
Evelyn Howell of Houston, whose initial gift launched the capital campaign. Their 
gift was given in honor of Bishop John M. Allin, a graduate of the university, 
former bishop of Mississippi and presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church from 
1974 to 1985.

--Sarah Moore is director of communications at the School of Theology.