For 75 years, Syracuse University's Hendricks Chapel has done much more than nourish the spiritual lives of the members of the University community. It has been the site of some of the University's most significant events and teachable moments. From its construction in 1930, when it was dedicated to promoting the moral and spiritual welfare of students, the chapel has become an inclusive spiritual and social resource for the University and the community at large.
The chapel was where the anti-war protests of the 1960s took place, and where the University community gathered seek solace following the devastating tragedies of the bombing of Pam Am 103 and the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Over the years, the chapel has been the setting for visits by distinguished speakers such as poet Robert Frost, religious and social activist figures such as the Dalai Lama, Eleanor Roosevelt, Elie Weisel and James Baldwin, as well as politicians, scientists, economists and other scholars.
The University community will welcome alumni and community members to campus on the weekend of Nov. 4-6 to mark the chapel's milestone anniversary and to rededicate and recommit the chapel to its vision for the future.
"The chapel's richest resources through the years have been its many relationships and collaborations on and off campus," says the Rev. Thomas V. Wolfe, dean of Hendricks Chapel. "This weekend celebrates the many individuals and groups who, working together, have made the chapel what it is today. In that spirit, we look to the future."
The celebration includes the following events that are open to the public. All are free except the Saturday banquet. Parking will be available in the Irving Garage for Friday and Sunday's events. Parking for Saturday's events is noted below. More information is available from the Hendricks Chapel Dean's Office, (315) 443-2901, or
at http://hendricks.syr.edu.
The anniversary activities will begin on Wednesday, Nov. 2. The Rev. Richard Phillips, dean emeritus of Hendricks Chapel, will discuss his co-authored book, "Hendricks Chapel: Seventy-five Years of Service to Syracuse University" (Syracuse University Press, 2005), at 4 p.m. in the main chapel. Books will be available for purchase following the discussion.
The weekend's events include the following:
Friday, Nov. 4
Saturday, Nov. 5
Sunday, Nov. 6