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For generations, chapel has been at the heart of the Taylor University experience—a place where faith is nurtured, the community is strengthened, and lives are transformed. Each decade holds unique stories, from the songs that filled the air to the speakers who spoke God's truths into hearts open to His voice. Let's explore how chapel has connected Taylor students in every era, weaving together a rich tapestry of spiritual growth and community.
"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."
Ida (Stephens) Perry, attended Taylor Academy 1912-1915
"My days go back to 1915. I recall the men and women, both faculty and students, living together. 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
"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)
"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
“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
"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."
John Hill ‘73
"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
"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
"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
"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)
"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
"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
"During my freshman year, a speaker challenged us to get in accountability groups. Four of us formed a group, and we still meet and pray for each other over 35 years later, rejoicing in life’s highs and praying and weeping in the sorrows. That gift of friendship, prayer and accountability has shaped my life for the better all because we were challenged in chapel."
Ginger Otto '90
"Friday chapel with Jay was one of my favorite memories at Taylor. He was engaging and genuine, always mixing humor with spiritual teaching."
Kristin Kolpien '92
"I loved gathering in one place—the deep sense of community shoulder to shoulder. We would call through hallways to grab anyone who was lingering behind. And what an incredible opportunity I had to hear such high level of thinkers and authors, like Brennan Manning and Alistair Begg. The conversations that their challenges to us generated afterwards as we would go back to the dorm or to lunch were also meaningful."
Nicole (Aschliman) Schrock '94
"Being a transfer student from Ball State University and seeking to combine my reignited faith with my educational experience, chapel offered a way for me to express my appreciation and love for God and how he was moving in my life. My fondest memories were when President Jay Kesler gave sermons. He was such a dynamic public speaker, and the Spirit continually blessed his words and impressed them upon me. He always challenged and pushed me in my faith and daily walk. It was nice to sit with my fellow Penthouse roomies as well."
Mark Schenkel ‘94
"Little did I know at the time that my years at Taylor were the most impressionable of my life. Spiritual Renewal Week played a vital role in shaping my Christian worldview. Whether it was Tony Campolo forcefully challenging the student body to engage with those living in poverty, or Brennan Manning redefining my definition of grace, both men left timeless imprints on my soul that I still draw from over three decades later."
David Long ‘94
"The corporate praise and worship in chapel meant the most to me. It really helped grow my faith being together with so many believers. My relationship with God grew as I depended on Him and worshipped and prayed together with my TU family! I also loved Dr. Jay Kesler and Dr. Daryl Yost and learned so much from them."
Cindy Schenkel ‘94
"On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, students and employees gathered to pray in Rediger Chapel after the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, DC. Multiple prayer gatherings were held across campus as the Taylor community grappled with the tragedy."
The Echo '01
"My favorite chapel memory is of two of my friends performing one of my favorite songs. One Wednesday, to open chapel, my roommate in Swallow Robin, Jason Hillier, and another one of my friends from our floor, Jason Mead, performed the Jars of Clay song, "Frail" with Hillier singing and Mead on guitar. It would be one of the last times I was able to hear Jason Mead play, as he was tragically killed in a car crash the following summer, but I will always remember that performance in chapel."
John McConda '01
"I always loved how chapel was never required, but always well-attended. It helped me grow spiritually in the sense that I learned during my time at Taylor that worship is never a legalistic requirement but rather a joy and a privilege."
Jesse Joyner '02
"Before each chapel service, much preparation and prayer go into the speakers, bands, special music, maintenance, sound and lighting, the music department, the campus ministries office and videotaping by communication arts. We learned so much about worshiping through prayer, community, taking risks, preparing well, and making mistakes. One of the hardest lessons as a chapel coordinator is perhaps learning the balance between being prepared and organized, and then being flexible enough to change everything you have worked on so God can continue to be glorified in the service. I am so blessed and honored to have been part of this team to bring forth opportunities for the body of Christ to worship and glorify God."
Kelly Grace '05
"Chapel was a place of peace, hope, and encouragement. During a time of my life where things were uncertain, I wasn’t sure who God wanted me to be when I grew up, and struggling in the transition to early adult life, chapel at Taylor was a consistent in my life. Similar to how a boat goes into harbor to restock, repaired, and be launched out again on mission, chapel had the same effect on my life through the encouragement of other Christ followers in song and word, but also the call to launch out into the mission God placed on my life. Chapel also created a discipline of being part of a broader community of Christ followers that helped my wife and I launch into our early married life. We knew the importance of connecting in a Christ centered community and especially a church community."
Cameron Heasley '09
"This year many of us have experienced the opening of heaven’s floodgates over Taylor’s campus in new, fresh, and awesome ways. People, keep on praying—God certainly has not exhausted His glory over this place yet!"
Samantha Hobbs, Ilium '10
"The adventure of faith is to trust God even when you can’t trace Him. All we need to know is that God loves us and is worthy of being trusted!"
Dr. Allen Farmer '10
"After Bergwall Hall Directors Whitney and Jacob Drake unexpectedly welcomed the arrival of their son, Miles Taylor, in Bergwall Hall during spring break in 2011, the campus held a special chapel moment where he was officially declared a Son of Taylor."
Ilium '11
"During a World Opportunities Week chapel, Shante Major recited 'Fighting Insomnia,' her spoken word poem. It means a lot to me because as a poet I constantly struggle with whether or not to follow my dreams or if I even half the right ones. The poem is about telling God ‘yes’ when He tells you to dream big."
Ilium '14
"The LaRita Boren Campus Center was constructed to wrap around the existing Rediger Chapel/Auditorium. Rediger was also renovated during the construction process."
Ilium '16
"First-round draft pick, two-time national champion and Heisman trophy winner Tim Tebow spoke to a packed crowd on Friday, November 20, 2018. Chapel was moved to KSAC for the event. He shared his experiences as a Christian in the sports industry, inspiring students to view every moment as a ministry opportunity. As an advocate for vulnerable and special needs children, he commended Taylor for its unique Orphaned and Vulnerable Children major. At the close of chapel, he led the traditional Friday guy chant: 'Hey Chapman, why are you wearing that shirt?'"
Ilium '19
Whether in H. Maria Wright Hall (pictured right), Helena Hall, Maytag Gymnasium, First Mish, or Rediger Chapel/Auditorium, chapel services have shaped the men and women of Taylor University. More decades of memories will be released soon!