Current Students > Campus Services > Campus Ministry > Glenn Johnson Memorial Chapel

The chapel’s design was based upon the philosophy that places of worship need to be “timeless,” transcendent of fads and trends, and touching something genuine. The simplicity and truthfulness of materials, as well as honesty of expression, further emphasize its spiritual nature. At the same time, the liturgical progression of rituals was a primary theme for ordering the placement of liturgical spaces and symbols embodying the faith journey.

The exterior of the chapel uses familiar detailing and materials such as red brick, limestone trim, and off white multi paned windows to fit into and respect the character of the 135 year old campus while creating its own sense of identity. Three major building elements, the bell tower, worship space, and educational wing, form a building composition that frames the entrance doors and courtyard. This courtyard, located at the geographic center of campus, is tied into the campus by a series of concrete, exposed aggregate, and brick paved paths. Delineated by a low semi circular brick wall and exposed aggregate concrete paving, the courtyard serves as an exterior ritual gathering space adjacent to the chapel’s entrance doors. The ritual journey continues through the oversized wood entrance doors with custom hardware and ornamental metal frame adding to the special sense of entry and creating a portal to the sacred space beyond.

Entering the vestibule, one can glimpse into the baptistery before proceeding through a second
set of oversized wood entry doors into the worship space beyond which the simple, clear, strong architectural statement of the exterior is carried through to the interior of the chapel. Inside the light filled worship space, the carefully detailed laminated wood timber and steel structure leads the eye forward and upward through the space. This movement is reinforced by the rhythmic pattern of the multi‐paned wood clerestory windows, which allow the ceiling to appear to hover above. Inside the space, a transitional gathering area is defined by two large multi‐paned wood windows that flank the space. The slate floor continues the sense of movement through the use honed and cleft face slate set in an alternating rhythmic pattern which relates to the cadence of the wood and steel structure and the windows. These all lead to the primary focus of the space, the altar and ambo.

The altar and ambo are set on a raised platform that is bordered by its maple woodwork edging and honed slate flooring with glass tile mosaic accents arranged to bring additional focus to the altar. The setting is made complete with credence table, sanctuary lamp, and a large freestanding cross. The large cross is placed on axis with the altar and serves as the base for the processional cross that completes the composition. The maple woodwork at the altar and ambo continues along each side of the space as a communal bench. This bench provides additional seating for the typical 124 maple chairs and for the overflow seating of 104 in the transitional gathering space. Adjacent to the gathering space is the baptistery which is prominently placed at the base of the bell tower flanking the entrance doors. The baptistery is made even more prominent to those entering the chapel by two floor to ceiling multi‐paned wood windows. The space is finished with maple woodwork and honed slate flooring with glass tile mosaic accents arranged to bring additional focus to the baptismal font at its center. Additional support spaces include a classroom, prayer/ counseling room, sacristy, kitchenette,
toilet rooms, utility and mechanical spaces.