Chapel of the Apostles Dedicated at Sewanee

by Sarah T. Moore
A stunning new chapel for the School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn. was consecrated for worship October 11 in a celebration of Eucharist, pageantry, and specially composed music.

The Rt. Rev. Don A. Wimberly, chancellor of the university and assisting bishop of Texas, asked that the doors be opened, and led guests, faculty, students, and fellow bishops into the chapel. He then celebrated the festive Eucharist for the congregation of 280 people.

A dozen bishops from the university's 28-owning dioceses shared sanctuary seating with the three past and current vice-chancellors of the University, and faculty and senior staff of the School of Theology.

Music written for the occasion by British composer Richard Shephard, chamberlain of York Minster, headmaster of the Minster School, York, England and a Brown Foundation fellow at the University for the Advent Term, was presented by the 50-member seminary choir.

The Very Rev. Dr. Guy F. Lytle III, dean, preached the sermon giving thanks to the many benefactors who over the years had made the vision of a seminary chapel a reality.

"One of the priorities of this School is to worship God," Lytle said from the lectern. He quoted Psalm 84 from the service, "How wonderful is your dwelling place, O Lord of Hosts," looked around the sanctuary, and noted, "You can't know how true that is for the dean who's been here for 10 years!"

Lytle and vice chancellors Robert Ayres, Samuel Williamson, and Joel Cunningham gave great appreciation to Paul and Evelyn Howell, of Houston, Texas. Their initial gift launched the chapel capital campaign as a gift to honor the late Rt. Rev. John M. Allin, a graduate of the University, former bishop of Mississippi and presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, His wife Ann was present at the consecration service. Scores of other gifts, large and small, came from individuals, congregations, and dioceses to honor and to give thanks for loved ones.

Seating 250 people, the Chapel of the Apostles is a soaring medley of southern forest woods, clear glass, and Tennessee sandstone, designed by the architectural firms of E. Fay Jones and Maurice J. Jennings and Maurice J. Jennings and David W. McKee of Fayetteville, Ark.

Set amongst a grove of trees on a gentle incline in front of the seminary's academic building, the towering, angular wooden chapel defines the presence of the seminary on the campus of 1,330 undergraduate students pursuing a liberal arts education and 106 students studying theology.

The cypress exterior and slate roof with skylights along the peak, is surrounded by sandstone walls and a plaza which connects to the seminary's academic building.

Inside, amidst handcrafted lighting, the cross bracing of interlocking beams of Douglas fir rises to 53-feet to create a ceiling of natural angles.

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

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

A partner with architect E. Fay Jones since 1973, Jennings, was the on-site architect for the firm. Both architects' works are inspired by designs of Frank Lloyd Wright (to whom Jones was an apprentice in 1953) yet convey their unique harmony of geometry and nature. The firm has received broad acclaim for its designs of residences and sacred places.

Construction of the building was by Orion Construction Inc. of Nashville, under the direction of Tim Luppe, project manager.

Beginning with the sacred spaces of St. Luke's Chapel and St. Luke's Hall, alumni, faculty, students and guests moved in procession to the places where generations of seminarians have gathered to worship since the founding of the seminary in 1878.

At each place, the procession stopped for prayer and remembrance. From St. Luke's Oratory to All Saints' Chapel in the center of the campus, to Hamilton Hall to the Chapel of the Apostles, situated in front of the School of Theology.

Upon reaching the newly dedicated chapel, the Rev. Dr. Hunter H. Huckabay, rector of St. Paul's, Chattanooga, preached and the Very Rev. Dr. Guy Fitch Lytle III, Dean of the School of Theology, celebrated the Eucharist.

Dean Lytle particularly recognized the labors of Prestine Huckabay, wife of Dr. Huckabay and university trustee, who for seven years chaired the fund raising efforts for the chapel's construction.

Honorary Degrees Conferred

Receiving honorary degrees from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee at the Convocation of the University on Founder's Day, Oct. 10, are, left to right, the Rt. Rev. Hays Rockwell, bishop of Missouri, the Rev. Canon David Peacock, former chair of the Association of Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion, Horton Foote, playwright and screenwriter, the Rt. Rev. Charles G. vonRosenberg, bishop of East Tennessee, and Dr. Joel Cunningham, vice-chancellor and president of the University.
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Sarah T. Moore, Communications Office of The University of the South