Memorial Chapel (University of Maryland)
Memorial Chapel | |
---|---|
General information | |
Status | The Chapel's steeple is the highest point on campus |
Type | Carillon |
Architectural style | Georgian |
Location | University of Maryland |
Address | 7744 Regents Drive |
Town or city | College Park, Maryland |
Country | United States |
Coordinates | 38°59′02″N 76°56′28″W / 38.983999°N 76.941086°W |
Completed | 1952 |
Design and construction | |
Architect(s) | Henry Powell Hopkins |
Website | |
thestamp | |
References | |
[1][2] |
Memorial Chapel is a non-denominational building on the campus of the University of Maryland, College Park, constructed to honor those associated with the university who had lost their lives serving in the United States Armed Forces.[3] The building, designed by Henry Powell Hopkins, actually is made up of three chapels: the Main Chapel, the West Chapel, and the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament.[4] A Vietnam Veterans Memorial was constructed on the Chapel grounds in 1988.[5][6] The steeple of the chapel is the highest point on campus.[1]
History
In 1946, the university's Board of Regents approved the construction of the chapel, after four students presented a petition of 1,348 signatures to the Board for the construction of an interdenominational place of worship on campus. In 1948, it was decided that the building would be dedicated to veterans of World War I and World War II. The building's dedication took place on October 12, 1952, with then-Maryland Governor Theodore McKeldin delivering the dedication address. Alumni donations led to a restoration in the 1980s,[7] and the Class of 1997's Class Gift was a restoration of the chapel's West Courtyard.[8]
For the first 40-plus years of the chapel's existence, the Memorial Chapel carillon rang out Maryland's state song, "Maryland, My Maryland." On April 21, 1999, however, the carillon began to play the University of Maryland alma mater "Hail! Alma Mater." The carillon has continued to chime out the alma mater before noon daily. The Class of 1992's Senior Class Gift was a refurbishment of the carillon.[9]
Usage
The Memorial Chapel attracts over 80,000 visitors each year, and hosts upwards of 1,200 events annually, including commencement ceremonies, concerts, convocations, lectures, and weddings. Weddings at the chapel are particularly popular among Maryland alumni and members of the university community, as 84% of the weddings that have taken place at the chapel had at least one connection to the university.
The chapel is often used as place of remembrance and reflection by the university community, particularly in the aftermath of great tragedies; it has been an important meeting place and symbol during the
The Garden of Reflection and Remembrance
In 2007, following the
References
- ^ a b UMD University Visitors Network, Memorial. Retrieved 2010-6-15.
- ^ "Memorial Chapel". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
- ^ UMD Chapel Homepage, About. Retrieved 2010-6-15.
- ^ UMD Conferences and Visitors Services, Campus Attractions. Archived 2019-08-16 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2010-6-15.
- ^ UMD Chapel Homepage, Veterans Memorial. Retrieved 2010-6-15.
- ^ UMD Conferences and Visitors Services, Campus Tour Guide. Retrieved 2010-6-15.
- ^ a b c Memorial Chapel | University of Maryland. Chapel.umd.edu. Retrieved on 2011-03-04.
- ^ Campus Attractions – Conferences & Visitors Services Archived 2019-08-16 at the Wayback Machine. Cvs.umd.edu. Retrieved on 2011-03-04.
- ^ a b Traditions at The University of Maryland. Umd.edu. Retrieved on 2011-03-04.
- ^ Memorial Chapel | University of Maryland. Chapel.umd.edu. Retrieved on 2011-03-04.
- ^ Memorial Chapel | University of Maryland. Chapel.umd.edu. Retrieved on 2011-03-04.
- ^ Free Stuff at Maryland, The University of Maryland. Freestuff.umd.edu. Retrieved on 2011-03-04.