A $15 million gift has been donated to the university to support Chapel operations and renovations. It was donated by Rev Mark and Kathy Helge, and is one of the largest gifts in university history. The nave windows will be replaced, and some plumbing and technology issues will be addressed. Also, a 9000 sq ft addition will be constructed. More details at the link.
http://www.valpo.edu/news/news.php?releaseId=4640 (http://www.valpo.edu/news/news.php?releaseId=4640)
What a fantastic gift to Valpo!! It seems that Pastor's are much better paid than in year's past!! We alumni need to be especially grateful for this most generous gift to enhance and preserve this most important part of the Universities culture!
as somebody who spent much time over the last few years in the chapel, i'm very excited for this. there's some great plans laid out in the news release.
I wonder how a 9000 sq ft addition would fit into the overall architecture of the current chapel, but I assume that a lot of care will be taken to ensure it still remains a landmark. I am actually really looking forward to the exterior renovations such as sidewalk and brick work.
anybody know when this project is slated to start? i'm gonna be on campus briefly in a few weekends, and am curious as to whether or not the work will have started by then.
Quote from: vuweathernerd on May 08, 2011, 07:36:30 PM
anybody know when this project is slated to start? i'm gonna be on campus briefly in a few weekends, and am curious as to whether or not the work will have started by then.
I doubt it will start that soon. They mentioned that they don't have drawings yet, so I'm guessing they haven't selected an architect or anything yet.
Quote from: okinawatyphoon on May 08, 2011, 08:30:42 PM
Quote from: vuweathernerd on May 08, 2011, 07:36:30 PM
anybody know when this project is slated to start? i'm gonna be on campus briefly in a few weekends, and am curious as to whether or not the work will have started by then.
I doubt it will start that soon. They mentioned that they don't have drawings yet, so I'm guessing they haven't selected an architect or anything yet.
valid point. i guess i'm too eager for this to be done and trying to speed things up... darn.
Quote from: okinawatyphoon on May 08, 2011, 05:56:46 PM
I wonder how a 9000 sq ft addition would fit into the overall architecture of the current chapel, but I assume that a lot of care will be taken to ensure it still remains a landmark. I am actually really looking forward to the exterior renovations such as sidewalk and brick work.
Yeah, I really wonder where they'll put it. Adjacent to the existing office space upstairs would... push it out onto the existing sidewalk/plaza. Maybe.
Adjacent to the nave would be a little strange, but I guess it could go in the grass either to the north or south.
Adjacent to the undercroft seems unlikely.
Adjacent to Gloria Christi and the office space there? Hmm...
They might have some rough drawings done already. The press release mentioned a 9,000 sq. ft. addition -- why pick that figure unless some preliminary work/drawings had already been done?
This means, to me anyway, that it will be even less likely the new dorm will go up on the Huegli Hall site. I'm guessing the Chapel work will begin sometime in 2012. That is the same year the work on the new dorm will probably begin since Pres Heckler mentioned the dorm would be ready by fall 2013. I doubt the university will want to inconvenience everyone by having two building projects going up at the same time in the main part of campus. I would guess the new dorm will go where the 1986 Master Plan envisioned it going -- to the south of Guild Memorial. Paul
This is a little off topic but I didn't want to start a new thread. Has anyone seen the new posters in the Chapel? I was looking at pictures from Convocation and they seem to have the advertising posters with student pictures up on the Chapel walls.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/valparaiso_university/6077520901/# (http://www.flickr.com/photos/valparaiso_university/6077520901/#)
Maybe I'm old school but that really rubs me the wrong way.
Quote from: mj on August 25, 2011, 04:33:59 PM
This is a little off topic but I didn't want to start a new thread. Has anyone seen the new posters in the Chapel? I was looking at pictures from Convocation and they seem to have the advertising posters with student pictures up on the Chapel walls.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/valparaiso_university/6077520901/# (http://www.flickr.com/photos/valparaiso_university/6077520901/#)
Maybe I'm old school but that really rubs me the wrong way.
It's part of the new marketing campaign. They are pretty neat looking in person.
QuoteIt's part of the new marketing campaign. They are pretty neat looking in person.
I don't have a problem with the posters themselves. I have a problem with where they are located. The new marketing campaign shouldn't include putting advertisements inside the church. It's poor taste and shows a lack of respect.
Quote from: mj on August 25, 2011, 10:23:39 PM
QuoteIt's part of the new marketing campaign. They are pretty neat looking in person.
I don't have a problem with the posters themselves. I have a problem with where they are located. The new marketing campaign shouldn't include putting advertisements inside the church. It's poor taste and shows a lack of respect.
Are they permanent, or were they just in the Chapel for Opening Convocation? Knowing Pastors Cunningham and Wetstein, I can't imagine/believe that they would allow that to be up for more than just convocation.
Pretty sure they aren't permanent. And they aren't really advertisements, they are more like inspirational posters.
Quote from: valporun on August 26, 2011, 02:30:24 AM
Quote from: mj on August 25, 2011, 10:23:39 PM
QuoteIt's part of the new marketing campaign. They are pretty neat looking in person.
I don't have a problem with the posters themselves. I have a problem with where they are located. The new marketing campaign shouldn't include putting advertisements inside the church. It's poor taste and shows a lack of respect.
Are they permanent, or were they just in the Chapel for Opening Convocation? Knowing Pastors Cunningham and Wetstein, I can't imagine/believe that they would allow that to be up for more than just convocation.
Since you are not aware Pastor Cunningham is no longer at Valpo and Pastor Wetstein is in charge.
I also heard that the money for the chapel is coming from an Aunt of Pastor Helge. This Aunt was an executive with A.I.G. Since so much "bad" feelings surrounded the bonus money that these executives received she gave the money to her nephew, a pastor, who in turn donated it to a project very close to his heart. It does make one feel good about how some of that A.I.G. money will be used.
As far as the posters in the chapel it doesn't really bother me. There have been times that full stages have been set up in the altar area of the chapel and this has been much more distracting then some posters on the top floor. Many churches use their sanctuary for many other uses and I think the university is getting full use of the chapel building and seating.
Quote from: okinawatyphoon on August 26, 2011, 05:40:40 AM
Pretty sure they aren't permanent. And they aren't really advertisements, they are more like inspirational posters.
They're already down. They were pretty neat looking banners. And, yes, my first reaction also was, "In the chapel? Hmm..." Maybe it won't make me many friends, but I also wasn't crazy about the US flag in the processional, into the chapel. (I'm proud to be an American, and I'm grateful for the freedom to worship as I choose. But, I'd prefer not to have nationalistic banners in my place of worship.)
I'm not wild about singing the Alma Mater (speaking somewhat cynically, it's basically a hymn to Valparaiso University) in the chapel, either.
I think historyman's "Many churches use their sanctuary for many other uses" is pretty close to the mark. Convocation's an odd ceremony. It's a slightly odd combination of a university/academic ceremony, a religious ceremony, and maybe now in some sense a civic ceremony. So, a lot goes on that probably wouldn't happen in morning prayer, or on a Sunday morning.
This whole conversation is completely off base. The Chapel is a dual purpose building and has always had that distinction. You need to look at the event before you judge what is happening. There is no other building on campus, besides the ARC, that can hold a majority of the students and faculty for university-wide events. For example, just because it was in the chapel, I didn't expect to hear a sermon at my December graduation a few years ago.
Quote from: agibson on August 26, 2011, 10:36:24 AM
Maybe it won't make me many friends, but I also wasn't crazy about the US flag in the processional, into the chapel. (I'm proud to be an American, and I'm grateful for the freedom to worship as I choose. But, I'd prefer not to have nationalistic banners in my place of worship.)
:thumbsup:
Quote from: valpofan56 on August 26, 2011, 11:26:39 AM
For example, just because it was in the chapel, I didn't expect to hear a sermon at my December graduation a few years ago.
December graduation's a fine example. And, I agree, there's no reason the Chapel has to be reserved for only religious events (I've worshiped plenty of time in gymnaisums, etc.). I'll have to see what I think the next I attend a graduation ceremony. But, I suspect the distinction is somewhat clearer there. For May graduations, at least, there's a whole separate religious event: the baccalaureate service.
So, the graduation ceremony itself isn't _absent_ of religious content (there's likely to be an invocation, or a prayer, etc.) but it's primarily an academic event.
For me, convocation is (intentionally, I suspect) a more mixed event. And, I think, this is what causes some of my discomfort.
Quote from: agibson on August 26, 2011, 01:04:01 PM
Quote from: valpofan56 on August 26, 2011, 11:26:39 AM
For example, just because it was in the chapel, I didn't expect to hear a sermon at my December graduation a few years ago.
December graduation's a fine example. And, I agree, there's no reason the Chapel has to be reserved for only religious events (I've worshiped plenty of time in gymnaisums, etc.). I'll have to see what I think the next I attend a graduation ceremony. But, I suspect the distinction is somewhat clearer there. For May graduations, at least, there's a whole separate religious event: the baccalaureate service.
So, the graduation ceremony itself isn't _absent_ of religious content (there's likely to be an invocation, or a prayer, etc.) but it's primarily an academic event.
For me, convocation is (intentionally, I suspect) a more mixed event. And, I think, this is what causes some of my discomfort.
I agree, Opening Convocation is a perfect example of a combined religious and academic event and therefore I don't think it's at all unreasonable to see both secular (flag, advertisements) and non-secular representations (hymns and prayers) present together. I think that Valpo's ability to not get bogged down in either area is part of its charm (at least it was for me). When outsiders have asked me about the religious atmosphere at Valpo, I have always said the same thing: Valpo is as religious as you want it to be; which, in my opinion is great!
I'm not saying the Chapel should only be used for religious events. What I'm saying is that it's still a church even when used for other things. It's still a sacred place even when a religious ceremony isn't going on. A giant picture of a student shouldn't be put up along side the cross.
I'm kind of right there with mj _and_ valpofan56. I think it's totally OK to use the chapel for a non-religious event. And, I'm (maybe a little more reluctantly) OK with a combined academic-religious event. It is a Lutheran university, after all.
But, maybe like mj, I'm sort of intuitively uncomfortable with some aspects of the mixture. Intellectually, I think it's probably OK. But, intuitively, I still cringe a little.
First of all, I didn't realize that Pastor Cunningham was no longer the University Pastor.
In terms of the difference in what the Chapel is...it is the focal point of the University, and was made to be used as a multi-purpose facility. If the Chapel wasn't meant to hold convocation, December graduation, and university concerts, then the University Theater would have a lot more seats, and maybe not housed within the VUCA?
As a few others have mentioned here, the posters/advertising has since been removed from the walls. In my view of what it looked on the aspect of its use, I think it had something to do with showing the freshmen more of what Valpo is about, and the Chapel isn't just about it's Lutheran values, but it is about the people that come in to Valparaiso University to become leaders in our world.
pastor c left about a year ago, now to pursue other ministerial opportunities. made things quite interesting for those left. but luckily, the staff has named their new pastor, and she'll be installed tomorrow afternoon at 3pm in the chapel. if you can make it, i'm sure the whole staff would be appreciative of the support.
Here's the link to the story on the installation of the new ELCA university pastor, Charlene Cox. She graduated from Augustana SD in 1987, Luther Seminary, St.Paul (Master of Divinity) in 1991, and earned a Master of Sacred Theology degree from Gettysburg Seminary in 2008. She has spent time as a campus pastor at Grand View University in Des Moines (the previous 2 years), Waldorf College in Forest City, IA (5 years) and at University Lutheran Ministries of Illinois State University in Normal, IL (3 years)
http://www.valpo.edu/news/news.php?releaseId=4661 (http://www.valpo.edu/news/news.php?releaseId=4661)
The posters are down, but the brown and gold bunting has stayed. It's OK, I guess. A bit... autumnal. It was a nice service, and nice to have the local ELCA bishop on hand to preach and preside at the installation. Two things came to mind. 1)This never would have happened when I first came to VU as a student. 2)I've never heard the the LCMS District President visiting campus.
On Pastor C, what's he up to these days? I thought I even saw him on campus recently, from a distance.
The President of the LCMS spoke at the 150th anniversary service.
http://www.valpo.edu/news/news.php?releaseId=3904 (http://www.valpo.edu/news/news.php?releaseId=3904)
Quote from: agibson on August 29, 2011, 12:38:47 PM
On Pastor C, what's he up to these days? I thought I even saw him on campus recently, from a distance.
i think he still pops up on campus from time to time, especially since (at last i knew) he was still living in valpo. he actually just took a new position at a church in north judson.
Quote from: vu72 on August 29, 2011, 01:44:35 PM
The President of the LCMS spoke at the 150th anniversary service.
http://www.valpo.edu/news/news.php?releaseId=3904 (http://www.valpo.edu/news/news.php?releaseId=3904)
I stand happily corrected! Maybe it took a "reformer" like Kieschnick? Or, in some ways, maybe easier for the president of the synod than for a district president?
Quote from: agibson on August 29, 2011, 05:40:54 PM
Quote from: vu72 on August 29, 2011, 01:44:35 PM
The President of the LCMS spoke at the 150th anniversary service.
http://www.valpo.edu/news/news.php?releaseId=3904 (http://www.valpo.edu/news/news.php?releaseId=3904)
I stand happily corrected! Maybe it took a "reformer" like Kieschnick? Or, in some ways, maybe easier for the president of the synod than for a district president?
And in case you hadn't heard Pastor Kieschnick's "reformer" views were too much for the more conservative part of the LCMS and he was voted out. The new LCMS president is Matthew Harrison, who is actually from Ft Wayne. Although his leanings are mostly to the conservative side he is trying hard to be appreciative of the part of the LCMS that favored Kieschnick's "reformer" leanings.
Have we talked about the chapel pews? As well as replacing the clear (not, AFAIK, the stained glass) windows, and making a significant addition to the building (office and meeting space, etc.), they're planning to remove the pews. Already this summer? And replace them with chairs. At least informally, the condition of the pews was cited. And, the flexibility of chairs (for reconfiguring the room, etc.).
It's certainly possible to move the pews. It's done every year for Advent Christmas Vespers, right? But, I guess chairs might be simpler.
I am not sure about the plans for the pews, but they were supposed to switch to individual seats that can be connected to resemble pews, I think. If that is what I'm thinking of, I hope I'm not disappointed. I think the old pews give the Chapel some ambiance that could be lost. Either way, at least the Chapel renovations are already paid for.
I like pews well, myself. I'll miss them. I wonder especially about organ recitals, where it was long the tradition to swing around backwards, to look at the organ as you listened. I suppose, in principle, they could turn some chairs around. Not sure if it'll happen.
Aesthetically I think that pews give a look of substance and permanence. Chairs not so much. I personally like the pews, they are somewhat configurable and have worked for a long time. I wonder why the need to change to chairs?
during the spring 10 semester, we tried out some sample chair designs during weekly services and sunday night candlelight, and the chapel staff asked for feedback. what ultimately came out of that was that none of the samples were particularly popular and so it was going to become a longer term issue. govalpogo can chime in on this too, but i believe that some of the pews were starting to break, resulting in less available seating and requiring more folding chairs for large events (at least that's what it looked like to me). while i'm glad they finally have that taken care of, i'll be sad to see those pews go. they weren't that uncomfortable. but they were a :-X to move.
A chapel like ours requires pews. Not chairs. This should not be subject to debate. If our present pews are broken, then get 'em fixed. Chairs are not acceptable, and would look out of place.
Paul
Quote from: vuweathernerd on October 04, 2011, 06:08:45 PM
they weren't that uncomfortable. but they were a :-X to move.
I didn't do it very often. And, maybe, when I did it, I didn't move very many. But, was it so bad? There was a cart/trolley. You needed a couple of people to lift a pew onto the trolley, but then you could wheel it around without too much difficulty, no? Maybe not more difficult than moving the equivalent number (6? 8? 10? I've forgotten where the pews break) of chairs?
Let's not get too worked up over the idea of chairs v. pews until we see the options. This website (totally arbitrary in selection) shows chairs with wooden backs that when puttogether would resemble pews and be much more comfortable. Just an idea. The donor's of the money are both clergy so I'd doubt they would allow a cheap look to the seating.
http://www.pews.com/pews/Pew_Bodies.aspx?gclid=CPXS-_vx0asCFSOAgwodfjn0UQ (http://www.pews.com/pews/Pew_Bodies.aspx?gclid=CPXS-_vx0asCFSOAgwodfjn0UQ)
Don't really have an opinion on pews v. chairs, but came across a slide show concerning the change made at St. Paul's in New York City.
Very interesting and thoughtful presentation:
http://www.trinitywallstreet.org/news/slideshows/pews (http://www.trinitywallstreet.org/news/slideshows/pews)
Quote from: agibson on October 05, 2011, 10:30:25 AM
Quote from: vuweathernerd on October 04, 2011, 06:08:45 PM
they weren't that uncomfortable. but they were a :-X to move.
I didn't do it very often. And, maybe, when I did it, I didn't move very many. But, was it so bad? There was a cart/trolley. You needed a couple of people to lift a pew onto the trolley, but then you could wheel it around without too much difficulty, no? Maybe not more difficult than moving the equivalent number (6? 8? 10? I've forgotten where the pews break) of chairs?
once you got them up on the little cart they weren't so bad. but it definitely took planning to maneuver them around adequately. and it was a fairly timely endeavor.
Quote from: vuweathernerd on April 30, 2012, 05:21:00 PMi know firsthand that the bit about the chapel is true. when pastor jim was up here over spring break with students working on flood relief, we talked about it some, and he mentioned it. they're also not holding any weddings there this summer.
When I talked to President Heckler in March he told me that he had a number of future brides very mad at him because of the closure of the chapel this summer. :'(
Quote from: FWalum on May 01, 2012, 10:55:40 AM
Quote from: vuweathernerd on April 30, 2012, 05:21:00 PMi know firsthand that the bit about the chapel is true. when pastor jim was up here over spring break with students working on flood relief, we talked about it some, and he mentioned it. they're also not holding any weddings there this summer.
When I talked to President Heckler in March he told me that he had a number of future brides very mad at him because of the closure of the chapel this summer. :'(
i was actively trying to persuade two of my best friends, who met during our time at vu, to get married in the chapel this summer. but that was before the decision had been publicized. so i guess it worked out for them. though i'm still kinda bummed, i won't lie.
I realize this is a bit removed from this thread, but ... the Chapel work will include removing the pews and replacing them with chairs. This is a mistake. There is a sense of "community" when you sit in a pew with other worshippers. You don't get that with chairs. Plus it would be hard to keep them all in a straight line, unlike pews.
Paul
Quote from: 78crusader on May 01, 2012, 04:18:12 PM
I realize this is a bit removed from this thread, but ... the Chapel work will include removing the pews and replacing them with chairs. This is a mistake. There is a sense of "community" when you sit in a pew with other worshippers. You don't get that with chairs. Plus it would be hard to keep them all in a straight line, unlike pews.
Paul
Don't have any idea what they are planning for seating, but the pews needed to be replace. One totally collapsed recently and fortunately no one was hurt. Because of the multi-faceted use of the Chapel the pews needed to be moved and rearranged often and they are VERY heavy. Finally, most new seating has some sort of way to lock it together so the "straight line" issue shouldn't be a problem.
Quote from: vu72 on May 01, 2012, 05:19:31 PM
Don't have any idea what they are planning for seating, but the pews needed to be replace. One totally collapsed recently and fortunately no one was hurt. Because of the multi-faceted use of the Chapel the pews needed to be moved and rearranged often and they are VERY heavy. Finally, most new seating has some sort of way to lock it together so the "straight line" issue shouldn't be a problem.
as somebody who has recently worked in the chapel, i could not disagree more. sure, the pews were heavy, but comparing that to thousands of chairs, i'd take the pews in a heart beat. and i believe that most of my contemporaries in the chapel feel the same way (govalpogo, feel free to chime in here). connecting the seats is not the answer - many times those things get separated with minimal effort, and then what was maybe a 30 minute job (for 2 or 3 people) to rearrange the majority of the chapel becomes easily double or triple that, figuring the same number of workers. and that's generally all that's available. one person can fairly easily make the slight adjustments that are typically needed from day to day.
and the pews actually do not need to be rearranged frequently. many times, the arrangement frequently photographed and published online during morning prayer is the same setup that's used on sunday mornings and at candlelight.
on top of that, there's a sense of community in the pews, a closeness that cannot be matched, even remotely, by chairs. a couple years back, there were some sample chair designs available for use, and the reports i heard about them were overwhelmingly negative, for a whole host of reasons, to include what i've already mentioned. i'm not necessarily against replacing the pews currently there, but if it happens, it should be with new pews.
Not sure how to say this, but this effort to bring chairs to the chapel is, I think, another small effort by VU to secularize the Chapel.
Paul
my church switched to chairs a few years ago, and I didn't feel any less of a sense of community or distance from others. they interlock and look like pews, allowing you to sit just as close as if you were on pews. I do have some doubts that the chairs will be aesthetically appealing in the historic chapel though...
if nerd feels that strongly about pews then count me in the pew category! ;)
As a member of an ELCA congregation that has a sanctuary seating capacity of about 600, and who rearranges the seating three times a year for liturgical reasons, I can tell you the rearrangement can be a huge process but done fairly easily with the help of about 25 guys. Now, the Chapel seats just a few more thaty 600 so perhaps 75 to 100 students could get it done fairly quickly. This could mean new employees at the Chapel!!
Quote from: vu72 on May 01, 2012, 07:24:48 PM
if nerd feels that strongly about pews then count me in the pew category! ;)
As a member of an ELCA congregation that has a sanctuary seating capacity of about 600, and who rearranges the seating three times a year for liturgical reasons, I can tell you the rearrangement can be a huge process but done fairly easily with the help of about 25 guys. Now, the Chapel seats just a few more than 600 so perhaps 75 to 100 students could get it done fairly quickly. This could mean new employees at the Chapel!!
if we could get even 25 students, that'd be fantastic. but frequently, it's only a couple, to 5 at most, to rearrange the seating. maybe i'm just a purist, but i'd take the pews over chairs even with all other things being equal.
Could someone please move the posts in the Huegli/Miller thread to this one?
Does anyone have pictures of what the chairs are supposed to look like? To me, that is the biggest factor since I think the thoughts about moving the pews and the thoughts about intimacy over chairs/pews don't play that big of a factor.
Responding to some of the posts in the other thread.
It's my (hazy) impression that work on the windows, and maybe the heating (and cooling?) system will be this summer. But, that the pew replacement will come later... next summer? Not sure if that will be part of the expansion campaign, or a separate project.
They talked to several architectural firms this year, they had a brainstorming meeting with students, but I haven't heard any details. Nor have I seen any details on the chairs - certainly no picture. It's possible that there are firmer details around - I'm not 100% plugged in. But, I have had my ears moderately open.
I definitely have some affection for the pews, and am wary of chairs. I wonder if they'll be organ recital compatible! I'll be curious to see how they look, how they operate, and whether it adds anything (or detracts!) to the flexibility of the space.
I would much rather have the pews over chairs because you start having issues with having to update upholstery with the chairs. I also like the pews because they give more of a closeness that friends endure for, or even those couples who attend chapel services/activities together. The chairs might be easier for removal for orchestra/band/choral concerts because they could be stacked along the walls in the back of the chapel, instead of maybe 10-12 pews lining the walls, but the pews have more of a chapel feel, not a modern megachurch look like the chairs would bring. It is a minor thing in the long term of this project, but honestly while change is necessary at times, the pews can have more history to talk about than a chair in a church. How often to you tell stories of being in the Chapel or your home congregation, and refer to 500+ people sitting in the pews, over a few hundred sitting in chairs? Pews are a part of a church, chairs are more for meetings, offices, board rooms, not sanctuary spaces where you're more in communion about what God is working in your life, not in board rooms where you're trying to make money for a company that might not care about you in return.
Quote from: valporun on May 03, 2012, 11:08:37 AM
I would much rather have the pews over chairs because you start having issues with having to update upholstery with the chairs. I also like the pews because they give more of a closeness that friends endure for, or even those couples who attend chapel services/activities together. The chairs might be easier for removal for orchestra/band/choral concerts because they could be stacked along the walls in the back of the chapel, instead of maybe 10-12 pews lining the walls, but the pews have more of a chapel feel, not a modern megachurch look like the chairs would bring. It is a minor thing in the long term of this project, but honestly while change is necessary at times, the pews can have more history to talk about than a chair in a church. How often to you tell stories of being in the Chapel or your home congregation, and refer to 500+ people sitting in the pews, over a few hundred sitting in chairs? Pews are a part of a church, chairs are more for meetings, offices, board rooms, not sanctuary spaces where you're more in communion about what God is working in your life, not in board rooms where you're trying to make money for a company that might not care about you in return.
I agree completely, pews have a feel of permanence, endurance and order that chairs just can not give to a space.
The two people who are funding the renovation are both clergy. I'm guessing they, in conjunction with our current pastor roster will have much to say about the final decision.
My current church has pews, complete with kneelers, and the church where I was a member for the previous 10 years had chairs. Can't say that I have an opinion one way or another. If you listen to the process that was completed at St. Paul's in New York City, you may come away with a different idea about chairs. Who knows...
I've posted this before but it was a while ago:
http://www.trinitywallstreet.org/news/slideshows/pews (http://www.trinitywallstreet.org/news/slideshows/pews)
Quote from: vu72 on May 03, 2012, 12:43:25 PM
The two people who are funding the renovation are both clergy. I'm guessing they, in conjunction with our current pastor roster will have much to say about the final decision.
My current church has pews, complete with kneelers, and the church where I was a member for the previous 10 years had chairs. Can't say that I have an opinion one way or another. If you listen to the process that was completed at St. Paul's in New York City, you may come away with a different idea about chairs. Who knows...
I've posted this before but it was a while ago:
http://www.trinitywallstreet.org/news/slideshows/pews (http://www.trinitywallstreet.org/news/slideshows/pews)
I'm used to pews myself, but I've been to churches where chairs are used.
I'm an Article 7&8 kinda guy about all this, myself ;)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augsburg_Confession#The_28_articles (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augsburg_Confession#The_28_articles)
QuoteVII Of The Church Lutherans believe that there is one holy catholic church, and it is found wherever the gospel is preached in its truth and purity and the sacraments are administered according to the gospel.
VIII What The Church Is Despite what hypocrisy may exist in the church (and among men), the Word and the Sacraments are always valid because they are instituted by Christ, no matter what the sins may be of the man who administers them.
Actually, the version I learned could basically be paraphrased: "All that is necessary for the church of Christ is that THE gospel is preached and the sacraments are administered in accordance with that gospel. All else is negotiable." Chairs? Pews? Whatever works best.
Quote from: StlVUFan on May 03, 2012, 12:52:00 PM"All that is necessary for the church of Christ is that THE gospel is preached and the sacraments are administered in accordance with that gospel. All else is negotiable." Chairs? Pews? Whatever works best.
I guess you put me in my proper place place with that quote. ;D I am just a little biased to the traditional pew because of my membership at one of the Missouri Synod's mother churches. As you can see we have some pretty neat looking pews.
(http://www.stpaulsfw.org/stpaul/images/banners/banner_pic.jpg)
I grew up in the Missouri Synod too, and prefer pews. Just making the point that it's adiaphora (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adiaphora#Adiaphora_in_Christianity)
Our church has both pews in the middle and chairs on the sides. My wife won't sit in the pews because her shorter than average legs can't touch the floor when she sits in the pews.
photos of the first week of the renovation! :thumbsup:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/valparaiso_university/sets/72157629848468962/with/7249623816/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/valparaiso_university/sets/72157629848468962/with/7249623816/)
The rust on the exterior windows alone supports the effort. Thanks for the pics. It's been a while since I was back there. Best memories -- Greek songfest (we did OK but PKA won -- again) and being a best man at a wedding at the chapel. Quite a building. Thanks for the flashback.
The last issue of the Torch (now available online, I think?) discussed some of the controversy that seems to have erupted in the last weeks (late arriving?) on campus re pews.
Sounds like they're (re-?)discuss the issue in the fall.
Quote from: agibson on May 23, 2012, 04:28:03 PM
The last issue of the Torch (now available online, I think?) discussed some of the controversy that seems to have erupted in the last weeks (late arriving?) on campus re pews.
Sounds like they're (re-?)discuss the issue in the fall.
http://www.valpotorch.com/news/vu_news/ (http://www.valpotorch.com/news/vu_news/)
Quote from: agibson on May 23, 2012, 04:28:03 PM
The last issue of the Torch (now available online, I think?) discussed some of the controversy that seems to have erupted in the last weeks (late arriving?) on campus re pews.
Sounds like they're (re-?)discuss the issue in the fall.
LaPorte, too slow.
So the pew issue is raising a stink?
I wonder how long it will take to clear the air on this one.
Article about the new addition. Nothing really groundbreaking though.
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/valparaiso/architect-named-for-valparaiso-university-chapel-project/article_7f6076f5-aae1-5340-a192-9e83c2e5a851.html (http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/valparaiso/architect-named-for-valparaiso-university-chapel-project/article_7f6076f5-aae1-5340-a192-9e83c2e5a851.html)
Forgive me, bbtds, I don't follow this thread closely enough to smell the puns.
Plus Protestant theology makes me feel down and melancthony.
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on June 05, 2012, 09:30:48 PM
Forgive me, bbtds, I don't follow this thread closely enough to smell the puns.
Plus Protestant theology makes me feel down and melancthony.
Don't tell me you are a Roman Apostle! :o
Quote from: vu72 on June 06, 2012, 05:27:44 PMDon't tell me you are a Roman Apostle!
Both my faith and my sense of humor compel me to say that there aren't any other kind of apostles ;)
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on June 05, 2012, 09:30:48 PMPlus Protestant theology makes me feel down and melancthony.
Fantastic! Really terrific.
You get a +1 from the pastor in my family (Lutheran, sorry?), as well.
Quote from: agibson on June 13, 2012, 09:53:16 PMFantastic! Really terrific.
Thank you. You made my night.
In honor of my being here, I have to pass along something that you'll think I'm making up, but I bet the internet will back me up:
in Powhatan County, VA (just outside Richmond) I learned that the merger of two private religious schools have created a single one named:
the Blessed Sacrament Hugenots Academy.I kid you not. Sounds like one of my (or bbtds') jokes. But it ain't.
I'll leave it as "worshiping the worship" No need to add anything about Holy,Blessed or Sacred to this comment! ;)
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on June 13, 2012, 10:41:00 PM
the Blessed Sacrament Hugenots Academy.
Also nice!
A dozen years ago Lutherans and Roman Catholics got together and managed to say, "You know, 500 years ago when we said you were going to hell? You're not those same people any more."
So, who knows, maybe the Hugenots and the RC can get along now as well.
the late great Fr. Neuhaus would be proud!
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on June 13, 2012, 10:41:00 PMBlessed Sacrament Hugenots Academy.
Is it Huge Nots or Huguenots?
Huge Knotz...school is sponsored by a Bavarian pretzel maker.
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on June 15, 2012, 01:13:48 PM
Huge Knotz...school is sponsored by a Bavarian pretzel maker.
:lol: :lol:
Got a chance to drive around campus yesterday.
The first three sets of windows starting from the back of the chapel going towards the chancel are completed except for two windows. The last few sets of windows are still covered by plywood as I'm sure they must still be worked on. This is on the side of the chapel facing the Harre Union. I didn't check out the windows on the side facing the outer drive, the Welcome Center construction site and US 30.
Huegli Hall is ready for demolition. There are three pieces of demolition equipment from G.E. Marshall Company that are inside the fence ready to start on the demolition as of Thursday evening. All the windows seem like they were bombed out by explosives. I assumed they removed most of the air conditioning units that were in the windows by simplying whacking them out with a sledge hammer or something. At least that is the way it looks.
Miller Hall, the former Immanuel School, is totally down. There are many stones from the building on the ground but all parts of the building that resemble walls are gone. Good bye forever Miller Hall. You can easily see the trailer which is called the LeBien addition which sat behind Miller Hall.
The construction on the Welcome Center is progressing slowly or so it seems to me. I assume they are working hard on the foundation parts of the building. There will be no basement. Of course this 100 degree heat must make it very difficult work. They have set up a fence that goes to the edge of the outer drive (the entrance drive from US 30) on the east and north sides as the drive curves around the new construction. On the west side of the construction site is the woods including the student bridge which sets in the woods. The east side of the bridge is only about 15 steps from the fence that surrounds the construction site. I assume they will build a path from the student bridge to the Welcome Center back door or west door or maybe a door facing US 30. The southwest corner of the Welcome Center will actually be a few feet north of the east end of the student bridge so if they do build that path it will have to curve a little to the north towards the chapel.
It's a summer of construction at Valpo but not nearly as intrusive to getting around campus as in the past. Except for the chapel renovation which is towards the middle and the Huegli Hall demolition most of the work is towards the edges of campus and hardly noticeable.
i was briefly on campus late yesterday afternoon as well. there are still some plywood covers on windows on the south side of the chapel as well - roughly the same sections as what's covered on the north side.
wandered through the a&s building yesterday. i like the stairwell going from the main floor to the bottom floor. but was disappointed by the lack of easily accessible stairs going up to the third floor. it's almost like they want you to use the elevators, or to isolate the faculty. certainly not the vu style if it's the latter. still smells new. but not bad overall.
Because there were no home games this week, I decided to take my camera to the chapel. It looks terrific, and I thought those who haven't been able to visit campus since the restoration work would be interested in the following pictures:
(http://i49.tinypic.com/2lt5avr.jpg)
(http://i48.tinypic.com/2ahi5k.jpg)
(http://i49.tinypic.com/2db3w1y.jpg)
(http://i47.tinypic.com/30sdehf.jpg)
Valpopal: Absolutely GREAT pictures of the Chapel...thanks for the posting
Quote from: valpo64 on January 13, 2013, 01:38:37 PM
Valpopal: Absolutely GREAT pictures of the Chapel...thanks for the posting
Such a special place in so many of our lives. Thank you--terrific pictures!
Aside from the new nave windows and new heating system, were there any other aesthetic changes to the chapel? New flooring or anything?
looks like they refinished all the wood surfaces with instagram
Thanks for the nice comments on the photos. If you haven't seen it before, a detailed description of the work done and the restoration process can be found at the following: http://blogs.valpo.edu/chapel/2012/06/12/hello-world/ (http://blogs.valpo.edu/chapel/2012/06/12/hello-world/)
"The preliminary plans will be presented to Valparaiso's Site Review Committee on Tuesday, but Pastor Brian Johnson, executive director of campus ministries, said it hasn't been decided if the groundbreaking will be this fall or next spring."
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/valparaiso/vu-to-discuss-plans-for-chapel-addition/article_cd9e59df-51de-53f6-88dc-711af0a8cc1b.html (http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/valparaiso/vu-to-discuss-plans-for-chapel-addition/article_cd9e59df-51de-53f6-88dc-711af0a8cc1b.html)
It will be very interesting to see how the architects work an addition into the style of the Chapel. It has to be on the South side and I'm sure most will be underground but who knows!
Excited to see the renderings.
Plans for what Nagle Hartray calls the "campus ministries building" can be found on their website under 'current projects.' The addition appears to be a very self-effacing structure; trying not to call attention to itself. Couldn't help notice that the proposed floor plan includes space for a...........chapel.
Does that make sense?
Nagle Hartray is also working on design and planning for the Shelburne Conference Center, the Opus Dei retreat west of town.
Quote from: loschwitz on May 09, 2013, 07:38:36 PMNagle Hartray is also working on design and planning for the Shelburne Conference Center, the Opus Dei retreat west of town.
awesome! love that place.
I suppose if they're building a chapel, what does that mean for Gloria Christi?
Quote from: loschwitz on May 09, 2013, 07:38:36 PM
Plans for what Nagle Hartray calls the "campus ministries building" can be found on their website under 'current projects.' The addition appears to be a very self-effacing structure; trying not to call attention to itself. Couldn't help notice that the proposed floor plan includes space for a...........chapel.
Does that make sense?
Nagle Hartray is also working on design and planning for the Shelburne Conference Center, the Opus Dei retreat west of town.
After searching a bit, I found the site with the floor plans. In the future if you are going to post information it would help if you also posted the site for our reference.
It is a very interesting design. It appropriately plays down its role in deference to the Chapel itself. A very challenging endeavor. I like it very much. As for the interior small chapel, I think it is very appropriate. The facility will be filled with people of great faith and the choices at present for prayer are two, big and bigger. This space simply provides a small space where people can gain quiet time for prayer. Something of which we all could do more.
http://www.naglehartray.com/portfolio/current-work/valparaiso-university-campus-ministries-building.htm (http://www.naglehartray.com/portfolio/current-work/valparaiso-university-campus-ministries-building.htm)
Quote from: vu72 on May 09, 2013, 09:37:03 PMIn the future if you are going to post information it would help if you also posted the site for our reference.
that was the first post, so s/he couldn't have even if s/he wanted to...
Quote from: loschwitz on May 09, 2013, 07:38:36 PM
Plans for what Nagle Hartray calls the "campus ministries building" can be found on their website under 'current projects.' The addition appears to be a very self-effacing structure; trying not to call attention to itself. Couldn't help notice that the proposed floor plan includes space for a...........chapel.
Does that make sense?
Nagle Hartray is also working on design and planning for the Shelburne Conference Center, the Opus Dei retreat west of town.
Thanks for posting this and welcome to the forum! :thumbsup:
Has construction begun on the new addition? A new photo to the Valpo Flickr page seems to indicate that, or is it just landscaping?? The photo is titled "Chapel Renovation."
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3724/9270002633_b3011b7c96_c.jpg)
Quote from: okinawatyphoon on July 14, 2013, 07:28:40 AM
Has construction begun on the new addition? A new photo to the Valpo Flickr page seems to indicate that, or is it just landscaping?? The photo is titled "Chapel Renovation."
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3724/9270002633_b3011b7c96_c.jpg)
I drove by there earlier today. If what the picture depicts has something to do with building renovation, you wouldn't know it by looking at it. It just looks like they're trying to shore up a short retaining wall.
I've lost track of the schedule, but presumably it's too late to start anything serious this summer.
I'd expect things to get underway in a serious way at the end of the spring semester, 2014.
they MOVED the sitting walls... several of them... try THAT in 88-degrees/80% humidity days... Lakeshore Landscaping did/is doing a nice job.... THEN they can start the renovation.
The addition to the Chapel will begin in the summer of 2014, according to this Torch article:
http://www.valpotorch.com/news/article_5a54cc80-3d7d-11e3-aa55-0019bb30f31a.html (http://www.valpotorch.com/news/article_5a54cc80-3d7d-11e3-aa55-0019bb30f31a.html)
Groundbreaking for the addition to the Chapel is set for April 26.
Quote from: okinawatyphoon on March 15, 2014, 08:20:08 PMGroundbreaking for the addition to the Chapel is set for April 26.
We assume most of the snow will have melted by then :) >:( 8-)
The groundbreaking was held on April 26, so this should be underway once classes are over. This will be a great addition to campus, so I'm excited to see it take shape. :thumbsup:
The ground breaking for the chapel addition happened on April 26 but the real construction crew didn't put the construction equipment to the land south of the chapel until today, Friday. Apparently there was a hold up due to the state of Indiana not agreeing that the chapel should continue with it's historic preservation designation with the building having an addition. They state finally agreed that the chapel could keep it's historic landmark status on Thursday and the actual construction started this morning. When you pass by the chapel you can see that there is finally earth being moved.
Finally some visible progress of the construction. From the Chapel of the Resurrection Facebook page:
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/1795384_10152091646161887_2856802695830475180_o.jpg)
Very interesting and much larger footprint then I envisioned. Let's all hope Merlin survives this.
Quote from: vu72 on July 25, 2014, 07:57:40 PMLet's all hope Merlin survives this.
My thoughts exactly.
I think these images have been shown here before but to me these are the best ways to visualize the addition to the chapel.
(http://www.valpo.edu/chapel/assets/images/Chapel_groundbreaking_2014/Southern_color_600.jpg)
(http://www.valpo.edu/chapel/assets/images/Chapel_groundbreaking_2014/ChapelBlueprint_150.jpg)
(http://www.valpo.edu/chapel/assets/images/Chapel_groundbreaking_2014/Kathy-and-Mark-032.jpg)
Pastor and Mrs. Helge
"Just think what might have been if we had met under the bleachers at Hilltop Gym. Of course, my wife was a good girl back then."
"No, we never set a foot in Hilltop. But I know how to turn out every light switch in the chapel."
"There are some others on the board who are well financed who will turn their attention to athletics once the dorms and needed buildings are finished."
(http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n151/indytd/IMG_20140730_153444_216.jpg)
I like to call this "the oldest and newest of God's gifts to the landscape of Valparaiso University."
[tweet]511938949070471168[/tweet]
Thanks for posting this. I hope the finished product doesn't detract from the Chapel. I know the addition is suppose to be "low Key" as to not detract but it's overall size just seems larger then originally thought--at least by me!
Thanks 'pal! They really put that steel up in a hurry. Hopefully they can get it sealed before winter!
Quote from: vu72 on September 16, 2014, 01:17:44 PM
Thanks for posting this. I hope the finished product doesn't detract from the Chapel. I know the addition is suppose to be "low Key" as to not detract but it's overall size just seems larger then originally thought--at least by me!
Could be the camera angle. It still may be a low profile when facing it from the walkway up to the main doors.
Quote from: okinawatyphoon on September 16, 2014, 05:11:59 PM
Thanks 'pal! They really put that steel up in a hurry. Hopefully they can get it sealed before winter!
Again with this foreign word of winter :)
The Valparaiso University Alumni Facebook page put up some recent photos of the construction. It's really coming along!
(https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1907444_711319082279828_2100022331795274184_n.jpg?oh=85539262a40fdcd00c2ae9ab31b8ce5e&oe=54D13866)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10371359_711319195613150_3241702018770647724_n.jpg?oh=dfe1c447e1be0c6415ef552ad2d36240&oe=54C06266&__gda__=1421648826_85282d383589a2f1c99011c9327fd75e)
Here is a recent photo from the Valparaiso University Flickr page. It really gives you an idea of the scope of the project:
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2944/15412534945_16e36ef9d0_o.jpg)
That's a stunning shot.
Quote from: VULB#62 on October 07, 2014, 06:50:18 PMThat's a stunning shot.
Almost Broekhoff-esque, then?
Our campus has become a really good draw for students and athletes. We have some great leadership!
Just thought I'd update those off campus that the chapel addition is now enclosed in a wall of windows and the glass facade of the south side looks pretty impressive.
Quote from: valpopal on December 09, 2014, 12:02:08 PM
Just thought I'd update those off campus that the chapel addition is now enclosed in a wall of windows and the glass facade of the south side looks pretty impressive.
Did you happen to snap any pictures? The Chapel Facebook page hasn't been very active with posting updates in a while.
Here's a recent (Fall timeframe?) photo from the Valparaiso University Undergraduate Admission Facebook page. You can clearly see the Chapel addition, so for those who felt it would overpower the main Chapel, you can clearly see it does not.
(https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/10917219_767507503334250_8583427005046299215_o.jpg)
Campus looks beautiful. The picture has me all discombobulated, which says that I need to get to campus in the near future! Nothing will beat the last time I was there, when we laid a smack down on Buck Futler, in the HL conference tourney. There is an Associate Director of Athletics coming to DFW next week, which is the closest thing to Valpo I ever see each year (besides sports viewing).
Looks great. I'm excited for the future campus expansion.
This is a great news especially to the alumni..
I took this photo today as I was headed to the baseball game, and I thought those of you away from campus would like to see that spring, including its May flowers, has returned to Valparaiso. This is the inviting sight visitors see when entering the university from the main entrance on I-30.
(http://i59.tinypic.com/qx6joz.jpg)
Looks like it's almost complete. The photo has some strange effects from being a panoramic photo, but otherwise it looks great. I'm loving all of the glass. From the Valparaiso University Alumni Facebook page:
(https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/t31.0-8/s2048x2048/11149196_847590745319327_644420061576252616_o.jpg)
The Valparaiso University Facebook page posted some new photos. The exterior looks mostly complete. I'm not sure how I feel about the black brick exterior on the sides (see second picture below), but overall it looks great. :thumbsup: Any other opinions out there?
(https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1896885_10153350333333632_4324256761139047088_n.jpg?oh=8f39346c1b7ff6f6e9efb9c1d537350b&oe=561DF108)
(https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/11230843_10153350333413632_7502750395058157900_n.jpg?oh=a7cb5f8ff314a0bca05c3eb3f2f08073&oe=55E6A236)
Quote from: okinawatyphoon on June 22, 2015, 07:59:33 PMAny other opinions out there?
This might be an unpopular opinion, but my wife and I were at the chapel yesterday, and we discussed the appearance. Though we appreciate the practical valuable inside space provided, both of us felt there was a problem with the addition's contrast against the original structure. My wife remarked that the new space looked like a wing of an airport terminal. I had high hopes as the construction was happening; however, there is a good reason that historical districts do not permit additions to old structures unless the lines, design, and style are consistent. As an artist, I believe the aesthetics of the chapel addition are not coherent, and it seems like a contemporary growth that is inconsistent, detracting from classic grandeur of the original building. I'll give it some time, and maybe I will reconsider. Perhaps my opinion of this growth will grow as well.
While I can't match the eloquence and artistic knowledge of valpopal, my question is: why didn't they build the addition out of BRICK?
Paul
Quote from: 78crusader on June 22, 2015, 09:53:57 PM
While I can't match the eloquence and artistic knowledge of valpopal, my question is: why didn't they build the addition out of BRICK?
Paul
That is a good question. You can see that they integrated stone similar to that of the main chapel, but it is curious as to why no red brick was incorporated. In this photo, you can see the attempts to match the stone (which look quite similar). I also see some of the green of both structures playing off each other. But maybe the roundness of the addition provides too much of a contrast to the original.
(https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t1.0-9/11403122_10153350333528632_4629858421192485581_n.jpg?oh=07da9dd25c58e7831a4dd1fd29579d40&oe=562E9BB6)
My guess is to totally remove the addition from the original design. By this I mean that the use of black does not in any way detract from the focus on the original. Obviously, the original is very contemporary in design, the addition is simply, by color and otherwise, meant to not in anyway detract from the original. Just a guess...
I think it looks pretty good [emoji10]
Quote from: okinawatyphoon on June 06, 2015, 03:04:50 PM
Looks like it's almost complete. The photo has some strange effects from being a panoramic photo, but otherwise it looks great. I'm loving all of the glass. From the Valparaiso University Alumni Facebook page:
(https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/t31.0-8/s2048x2048/11149196_847590745319327_644420061576252616_o.jpg)
Quote from: valpopal on June 22, 2015, 08:28:31 PM
Quote from: okinawatyphoon on June 22, 2015, 07:59:33 PMAny other opinions out there?
This might be an unpopular opinion, but my wife and I were at the chapel yesterday, and we discussed the appearance. Though we appreciate the practical valuable inside space provided, both of us felt there was a problem with the addition's contrast against the original structure. My wife remarked that the new space looked like a wing of an airport terminal. I had high hopes as the construction was happening; however, there is a good reason that historical districts do not permit additions to old structures unless the lines, design, and style are consistent. As an artist, I believe the aesthetics of the chapel addition are not coherent, and it seems like a contemporary growth that is inconsistent, detracting from classic grandeur of the original building. I'll give it some time, and maybe I will reconsider. Perhaps my opinion of this growth will grow as well.
Quote from: 78crusader on June 22, 2015, 09:53:57 PM
While I can't match the eloquence and artistic knowledge of valpopal, my question is: why didn't they build the addition out of BRICK?
Paul
I am no architect, but it appears that from a distance, the designer was trying to tie together the curved windows of the two buildings. I'm with '78 - where's the BRICK????
Just took a leisurely drive around campus, and I have to say I have never seen the university look more beautiful than it does right now. With record amounts of rainfall we've been getting over the past few weeks, everything is green and lush, flowers and plants are beautiful, and grassy areas look like a golf course. Very impressive.
Also, I know this will leave some people wondering, but I really like the addition to the chapel. I agree with what others have said that it appears that they were trying to match the contrasting features of the chapel, not the look of the chapel itself. Black and gray are predominant colors with the dark windows and trim, similar to a lot of contrasting black and gray at the library right across the way. Notice the similarities:
(https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/t31.0-8/s2048x2048/11149196_847590745319327_644420061576252616_o.jpg)
I think it's a great blend of architectural styles. Then again, my wife won't even let me help pick out paint colors when we redecorate, so what do I know. ;)
First look inside from the Valpo Chapel Instagram page:
https://instagram.com/valpochapel/
I had a meeting near the chapel today, so I stopped to snap this photo of the addition. This is the view visitors see when entering from I-30 and from the Welcome Center. I also walked through the interior, which looks fantastic and has a lot of useful spaces. To be honest though, I still see the addition as a mistake aesthetically since it hides and detracts from the great iconic classic architecture that represented the university in so many images for so long.
(http://i60.tinypic.com/29fteky.jpg)
Beautiful picture, thanks for that! As for the architecture, just take photos from the other side if you don't like the addition! ;)
That's the view coming in from I-30, eh? Eek. Maybe the pictures don't do it justice, but the juxtaposition is awful, it looks crowded, and it clashes. Worse, 50% of the grand chapel structure is hidden from that angle. Peek-a-boo, the chapel is back there somewhere, and it's only half the size it used to be.
Hope it's better in person. In the picture, the new addition looks like an office building from the 1980s. Not a fitting combo with the chapel.
It looks ok. The new addition looks bigger from the southwest lower meadow area than it does from the main entrance itself.
The angle from the southwest did make me think of solider field and the flying saucer that landed on top of it. At least this time they flying saucer had the decency to land next to it on the downward slope.
Good news on the Google Maps front. The latest image include Beacon Hall, the new chapel addition, the new tennis building and the new track.
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.4627467,-87.0406805,335m/data=!3m1!1e3 (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.4627467,-87.0406805,335m/data=)
Quote from: VULB#62 on August 18, 2015, 03:14:22 PM
Good news on the Google Maps front. The latest image include Beacon Hall, the new chapel addition, the new tennis building and the new track.
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.4627467,-87.0406805,335m/data= (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.4627467,-87.0406805,335m/data=)!3m1!1e3
And a nice large parking lot/garage combo north of Brown Field for our SRO games!
The Valpo YouTube channel just posted a great short tour of the new building: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54L4CYXIVF4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54L4CYXIVF4)
Quote from: Vale O. Paradise on September 29, 2015, 11:38:16 AM
The Valpo YouTube channel just posted a great short tour of the new building: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54L4CYXIVF4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54L4CYXIVF4)
I was there at the dedication and had the chance to meet agibson! A wonderful space that meshes well with the Chapel. The whole campus never looked better. Great things are going on there!!!!
Quote from: vu72 on September 29, 2015, 02:58:00 PMI was there at the dedication and had the chance to meet agibson!
Indeed, very good of you to pick me out in the crowd! Was a pleasure to meet you.
Quote from: Vale O. Paradise on September 29, 2015, 11:38:16 AMThe Valpo YouTube channel just posted a great short tour of the new building: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54L4CYXIVF4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54L4CYXIVF4)
Apparently this video was removed from youtube by Valpo.
We also found out yesterday that new seating is on the way for the Chapel. It should be in place by Christmas Vespers. They are being made by the same company who made them for Coventry Cathedral in England and made to appear the same because theirs were created mid-1990's (after the war damage)and thus will keep with the original architectural style as the Chapel, which was built in the same time period. They will be individual seats but able to interlock. The balcony will keep the current pews and pews will also be kept along the outside of the sanctuary for those who prefer this seating as well as families with small children. This change will also add 300 seating capacity.
I think this picture shows what they will look like:
https://sp.yimg.com/xj/th?id=OIP.Mbc010c5f3ec0c866374e8aed0f730bf0o0&pid=15.1&P=0&w=300&h=300
Quote from: vu72 on October 12, 2015, 01:26:28 PM
We also found out yesterday that new seating is on the way for the Chapel. It should be in place by Christmas Vespers.
Interesting! I'd heard murmurs that they were serious _this_ time, for real. But, this is the first I've heard a date.
Quote from: agibson on October 12, 2015, 05:37:03 PMQuote from: vu72 on October 12, 2015, 02:26:28 PM
We also found out yesterday that new seating is on the way for the Chapel. It should be in place by Christmas Vespers.
We also heard that at Homecoming. Is seating really a problem at the chapel? Not sure why this is needed, many wondering why money would be spent on this since the pews are movable, perhaps not as flexible as individual seating and depending on the type (padded?) maybe a little more comfortable.
I believe that the issue relates to being able to do many configurations. The pews don't allow for a lot of flexibility even though they are movable while the seats provide more options and are much easier to move. I believe I remember hearing that the pews are very heavy and difficult to move. My assumption is this is being funded by the donation so I can get why they wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to get something nice. Aesthetically they're not my favorite, but I understand the desire to move towards something that's a little easier in regards to set-up for different services.
Quote from: crusader05 on October 13, 2015, 07:14:24 AM
I believe that the issue relates to being able to do many configurations. The pews don't allow for a lot of flexibility even though they are movable while the seats provide more options and are much easier to move. I believe I remember hearing that the pews are very heavy and difficult to move. My assumption is this is being funded by the donation so I can get why they wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to get something nice. Aesthetically they're not my favorite, but I understand the desire to move towards something that's a little easier in regards to set-up for different services.
You hit it on the head. The existing pews are 12 feet long and made of solid oak. It takes 4 men to move one. (this info was reported to us at our gathering on Sunday.) The pews are moved often as, for example, when there is an organ recital the pews are reversed. The money is coming from donations made over the years specifically given for Chapel upkeep.
The video tour seems to be back up...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ug1ZBeRpmeo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ug1ZBeRpmeo)
I remember hearing at one time that there were a few incidents of the pews breaking from the weight of a large group sitting together. It was deemed necessary to avoid this at all costs. Also the point about the pews being extremely heavy. If you haven't noticed there have been fewer and fewer pews over the near 60 years of the Chapel and different configurations have been used to hide this fact.
I've been told that one famous breakage incident was during President Heckler's installation.
Pictures of new chairs. They look great to me!
https://www.facebook.com/valparaiso.university/photos/pcb.10153643456858632/10153643456458632/?type=3&theater (https://www.facebook.com/valparaiso.university/photos/pcb.10153643456858632/10153643456458632/?type=3&theater)
Two pieces from the chapel on the topic.
One a sort of a news item
http://www.valpo.edu/chapel/news/chair_project.php (http://www.valpo.edu/chapel/news/chair_project.php)
the other a pastoral reflection
http://www.valpo.edu/chapel/news/unwelcome_change_8_28_15.php (http://www.valpo.edu/chapel/news/unwelcome_change_8_28_15.php)
The chairs were a fantastic compromise between old and new; functional and historic. :thumbsup:
I spent many a Friday and Saturday night moving the old pews around before and after concerts, Advent Christmas Vespers, Easter, the Holy Feast of Basketball, etc. I was sitting as a flag bearer at the foot of the chancel steps looking out over the congregation when the pew full of Student Senate officers disappeared during Heckler's inauguration speech. I applied gorilla glue to many of those pews to get a few more years out of them. It was time for something new.
Chairs come with their own pains, keeping them straight is harder (though I believe these lock together), they tend to drift more, they generally reduce seating capacity compared to pews, etc. I do however, love to see innovation and risk taking in the church and as a Pastor, I love Pr. Jim's reflection. Onward to a new day in resurrection!
Quote from: govalpogo on October 28, 2015, 07:25:12 PM
I spent many a Friday and Saturday night moving the old pews around before and after concerts, Advent Christmas Vespers, Easter, the Holy Feast of Basketball, etc. I was sitting as a flag bearer at the foot of the chancel steps looking out over the congregation when the pew full of Student Senate officers disappeared during Heckler's inauguration speech. I applied gorilla glue to many of those pews to get a few more years out of them. It was time for something new.
Chairs come with their own pains, keeping them straight is harder (though I believe these lock together), they tend to drift more, they generally reduce seating capacity compared to pews, etc. I do however, love to see innovation and risk taking in the church and as a Pastor, I love Pr. Jim's reflection. Onward to a new day in resurrection!
I was told that the new seating will increase seating capacity.
Quote from: vu72 on October 28, 2015, 09:30:41 PM
Quote from: govalpogo on October 28, 2015, 07:25:12 PM
I spent many a Friday and Saturday night moving the old pews around before and after concerts, Advent Christmas Vespers, Easter, the Holy Feast of Basketball, etc. I was sitting as a flag bearer at the foot of the chancel steps looking out over the congregation when the pew full of Student Senate officers disappeared during Heckler's inauguration speech. I applied gorilla glue to many of those pews to get a few more years out of them. It was time for something new.
Chairs come with their own pains, keeping them straight is harder (though I believe these lock together), they tend to drift more, they generally reduce seating capacity compared to pews, etc. I do however, love to see innovation and risk taking in the church and as a Pastor, I love Pr. Jim's reflection. Onward to a new day in resurrection!
I was told that the new seating will increase seating capacity.
Hmm...the thought behind that is that you can squish more people into a pew if you really need to since the seats aren't divided up - not really scientific - but I've looked at a church seating site and found this: Research indicates the average pew user takes up 24 inches of lineal seating space. The average worship chair is 20 inches wide. This nets a 20% increase in available seating in a worship application.
Perhaps a more defined amount of "personal space" forces people to sit closer/not spread out as much. I stand corrected!
Quote from: govalpogo on October 28, 2015, 07:25:12 PMChairs come with their own pains, keeping them straight is harder (though I believe these lock together), they tend to drift more, they generally reduce seating capacity compared to pews, etc.
I'll be curious to see how the locking system is on these. The ones our congregation owns don't lock all that well.
With much of the country buried in snow this weekend, Valparaiso weather surprisingly has been fairly pleasant this winter and mostly snowless, as can be seen in this photo I took of the Chapel under a full moon tonight and thought I'd post for those who haven't seen the addition at night.
(http://i64.tinypic.com/hrg46h.jpg)
The locking mechanism on the chairs seems to work well, incidentally. Much more robust than what I've seen elsewhere. The chairs look nice, and seem comfortable enough. To me yet see rather wide.
One complaint - they're missing kneelers! I'm told they can be added (there's some kind of a knob from which individual kneelers can be hung). I don't know if there are at concrete plans. This definitely changes the pattern of worship.
Quote from: agibson on January 24, 2016, 09:34:53 AM
The locking mechanism on the chairs seems to work well, incidentally. Much more robust than what I've seen elsewhere. The chairs look nice, and seem comfortable enough. To me yet see rather wide.
One complaint - they're missing kneelers! I'm told they can be added (there's some kind of a knob from which individual kneelers can be hung). I don't know if there are at concrete plans. This definitely changes the pattern of worship.
Yes, the chairs do look nice, as can be seen in this photo I took last night as well, though I find they can get uncomfortable because the angle for the backrest seems a little different, and I do miss the kneelers.
(http://i66.tinypic.com/e8ooyh.jpg)
Wonderful photo of the chapel, Ed. What is the technique (Photoshop alteration?) that makes the colors so intense?
Quote from: sliman on January 24, 2016, 04:13:47 PM
Wonderful photo of the chapel, Ed. What is the technique (Photoshop alteration?) that makes the colors so intense?
Thanks for the kind words. As for the technique: I turn off all enhancements in camera so the image comes out neutral and I shoot RAW (unprocessed), then process the picture myself the way I used to develop film negatives in my dark room, which allows me to adjust saturation and brightness.
An interesting observation from a WELS pastor about the use of kneelers at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne.
http://www.intrepidlutherans.com/2012/01/they-have-kneelers-and-they-use-them.html (http://www.intrepidlutherans.com/2012/01/they-have-kneelers-and-they-use-them.html)
...which brings me to what struck me most about the seminary in Ft. Wayne, and it has to do with their chapel. It's a beautiful, reverent chapel, with a baptismal font filled with water in the entryway. Many, though not all, would dip their fingers in the water and make the sign of the cross on themselves. There was lots of crossing oneself during the Matins and Vespers services, and a reverent bowing of the head at the Gloria Patri – without prompting and without any sort of chatty instruction from the presiding minister. There was a natural piety evident among the worshipers and among the ministers that was shamefully unfamiliar to me. Most noticeably to me, in their chapel they have kneelers – and they use them.
Quote from: valpopal on January 25, 2016, 11:47:24 AM
Quote from: sliman on January 24, 2016, 04:13:47 PM
Wonderful photo of the chapel, Ed. What is the technique (Photoshop alteration?) that makes the colors so intense?
Thanks for the kind words. As for the technique: I turn off all enhancements in camera so the image comes out neutral and I shoot RAW (unprocessed), then process the picture myself the way I used to develop film negatives in my dark room, which allows me to adjust saturation and brightness.
Thanks for the information. The result is anything but RAW! ;D