Chapel by the Decades

1915

"Revivals (now Spiritual Renewal Week) were held twice a year. But any service could be an evangelical service if the Spirit so moved. Usually an outsider would be invited to preach. They emphasized repentance, salvation and sanctification as a second work of grace. Role models were on every hand which were a great inspiration to me."

Ida (Stephens) Perry, attended Taylor Academy 1912-1915

1922

"My days go back to 1915. I recall the men and women, both faculty and students, living together, all searching. Also, the Administration Building which housed offices, classrooms, labs, and the library. The top floor room was given for a constant Prayer Vigil during WWI."

Rev. Burke White, 1922

1936

“With grateful hearts we will ever cherish the refreshing seasons enjoyed from all the chapel services this year. God has used every speaker students, faculty members, visiting ministers, and missionaries—to enrich our souls. We have been drawn into a more intimate bond of friendship with the one great Friend, our Lord Jesus Christ."

Light Tower, 1936 (TUFW yearbook)

1960

1967

1968

"Taylor chapel was a consistent and frequent statement (three days a week) and reminder that Jesus was and is the center of all we did and all we are at Taylor and in life. It demonstrated the beauty and necessity of consistent fellowship with other believers, and I value that to this day. It also presented many fine speakers who served as role models to me of the kind of person I wanted to become. Favorite chapel quote: Bill McKee, 'God isn’t dead; he’s not even sick!'"

Tom Dillon ‘68

1970

“Students identified as chronic chapel cutters will be severely restricted. Students refusing to cooperate with the established restrictions will be asked to leave Taylor. Because attendance is not taken at chapel/convocations, students are asked to avoid forcing attendance taking by attending regularly.”

1970-1971 Student Life Handbook

1973

"Several of us were sitting together in the balcony of Maytag Gym as others were filing in. One particularly rather 'odd' student walked across the floor. None of us said anything, but we must have all been thinking the same thing, at least I and one other girl were. She said, 'God loves her as much as He love us. He made her with as much intentionality as He made us.'

I was humbled at the demeaning thoughts I had been thinking. I have often reflected on that when demeaning thoughts about others cross my mind. I use it as a reminder to confess my pride and thank my Heavenly Father for His intentionality and purpose for each one of us and to pray a blessing specifically for the person about whom my prideful thoughts were directed."

1975

1975

"President Milo Rediger used to refer to us as 'Chosen Ones.' He would make the point that by Providence we were chosen to be in community at Taylor preparing for service in His Kingdom, and the point stuck with me. I feel fortunate to this day to have been a chosen one."

Randy Sellhorn ‘75

1976

"We always got a printed schedule in our mailboxes at the dorm each Friday telling us about the daily activities for the next week. We were especially interested in the list of speakers for the chapel services which were always well attended and very meaningful. They were so important because of the spiritual food that was given to the student body three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). We were blessed to have many outstanding speakers such as Coach George Glass, Coach Bob Davenport, Coach John Wooden, basketball legend Jerry Lucas, a concert by Bill Gaither, and many others!"

JR McFarland ‘76

1981

“We loved the hymn singing and worship in chapel at Taylor! We have been in some powerful worshipping churches and gatherings over the years, but nothing compares to Taylor chapel. 'How Firm a Foundation' and 'Great is Thy Faithfulness' still bring tears to our eyes as we remember how those hymns spoke to our hearts as students. ”

Randall & Colleen Dodge '81 

1981

"Chapels are like bread. They nourish our minds and spirits, maybe even help our bodies with an ever-so-tiny nap now and again. There hasn't been much real sleeping, however. The variety of 'breads' has been a constant eye-opener. Our own musicians and speakers as well as our guests have helped us worship Him in those few moments of quiet placed between our many sorts of stresses."

1981 The Vine (TUFW yearbook) 

1981

1985

“Thanks to the generosity of PJ (Pat) and Mary Zondervan and Bill and Gloria Gaither, Taylor University has new hymnals for its chapel and Recital Hall. The hymnal, Hymns for the Family of God, will be dedicated in chapel today. The service will involve the entire congregation in singing, prayer, scripture reading, and service of dedication. Music for the service will be taken from the new hymnal.”

Chapel Schedule 1984-1985

1989

"One of the memorable chapels for me was when Brother Dumitru Duduman, an exiled Romanian pastor, spoke through a translator. He shared his testimony of being persecuted and imprisoned for his faith."

Roger Golden '89