New campus chapel might nurture Christian roots
Photos&Videos
ISSUE: 11/08/07 > NEWS > New campus chapel might nurture Christian roots
Belmont is a Christian school, but it has no chapel. Many Christian universities, such as Union University in Jackson, Tenn., and Dallas Baptist University in Texas, have a building that looks much like a church sanctuary and is a dedicated space for worship.
At Belmont, the Bell Tower’s bottom floor is used as a prayer chapel, but religion professor Robert Byrd wants something more.
“In committees and individually, I have urged all the Belmont University presidents with whom I have served to promote the idea of building a chapel,” Byrd said.
The usual response: “There’s no money.”
Junior Scott Claybrook, a Christian Leadership major, thinks Belmont’s master plan should include a chapel, but feels building a residence hall, like they’re doing now, is more important.
“I don’t think it’s a misplaced priority, but a chapel is something I think would be a tool to a Christian university,” he said.
A chapel at Belmont could accommodate religious activities and convocations on campus, Byrd said. It also could become the impetus to develop additional religious activities and conferences on campus.
“Our campus ministers, along with some energetic faculty and student helpers, are already doing some wonderful and exciting things, but an appropriate chapel facility could enhance their work,” Byrd said. “For a school that is committed to a Christian identity, it would be a powerful symbol for the campus and the community.”
Associate university minister Christy Ridings loves the location of the University Ministries office. Being in the center of campus, students can easily stop by to study on the couches or play pingpong.
“I would not necessarily be for a building that looks chapel-ish,” Ridings said. “I would want to make sure it took into account students who would not be attracted to a church-looking building. I’d want all students to feel welcome.”
Now that Belmont has split from the Tennessee Baptist Convention, some may believe a chapel would help Belmont stay close to its Christian roots.
“I think it is more imperative than ever that Belmont should continue forging its Christian and Baptist identity and, for me, it has nothing to do with our relationship to the TBC,” Byrd said. “To diminish [that identity] will result in the university being something entirely different than it is.”
