Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-05-18
THE NEW COLLEGE CHAPEL.
Opening Exercises Monday Morning
Dissertation Of the Chapel.

a.
-itcii nrits Of president tsuckham -
Description Of the Chapel
Monday morning, at the usual chapel
hour, the faculty and students OF the Univer-
sty, and many of its friends, gathered in The
new chapel to join in the first dis,inc'ive'y
college exercise held in the building since
its erection. 1t seemed, in some sense, like
dedicatory servicc for, although the reel
tation rooms of the new building have been
in use for several months, the faculty aud
students have had no opportunity OF meeting
together as body until Yesterday. The
brief and informal exercises were, therefore,
inspired with an impressivencss and interest
fur beyond that which their simple character
would indicate. The body of the chapel was
nearly filled with the students and friends OF
the college, as the bell ceased tolling. The
raised Platform in front was occupied by the
president and faculty. The exercises were
the ordinary morning services, conduct
cd with special reference TO the occasion
of occupying the chapel for the hrsl
time. The president read portions OF
| Scrip ture especially appropriate to the occa-
sion, after, which hymn was sung, the
voices being led by the college gee club.
| Prayer was then offered by the President,
| closing with the Lords Prayer, which was
| Joined in by all present.
President Buckham then gave some ac-
| count of the improvements OF the chapel.
1t is intended TO be q memorial chapel.
Everything in it is the gift of some graduate.
The frescoiug, seating and carpcting have
been secured by funds furnished by the
Alumni-over $1,000 and it is the intention
at some future time to place in each seat a
nj
Alumni. 1t is intended to make the central
window memorial window to President
| Marsh, and the one next south of il me-
mortal to Prof George w. Benedict and in
time the other windows are to be made me-
MORALS to other deceased presidents and pro-
fessors of the University. There will be also
| two memorial tablets upon the walls one
the gift of former graduate WHO specially
| cherished his memOry-iu honor OF President
| Marsh, and the other in honor of the students
who fell in The civil war. The beautiful
reading desk already in the chapel is the gilt
of Prof. Clark and the chairs upon the
stage were presented by the members OF
the faculty. In one respect, President
Buckham confessed to slight disappointment,
that the suggestion with regard to pipe
organ for the chapel had not been responded
to by any of the alumni or friends of the
college, but still he thought the disappoint-
mcnt would be only temporary, and felt con-
fident that some generous friend would yet
volunteer the much-needed gift. The prcsi
dent announced that the chapel dedication,
which was expected to have taken place ii
the carly part of the present term, woult
be unavoidablY postponed, on account of the
lateness of the college year, until the begin
ming of the Fall term.
| The Chapel.
The chapel is a large, lofty, well-lghted
and very attractive room. 1t is Ga feet long
80 feet wide and 90 feet high. The wall
and ceiling are painted Il soft and pcasan
olivc-gray tint, and handsomely lrcscold an,
bordered in dark red, blue and slate color
with yellow dotting-the extremely ere dita
bic work of Mr.. Z. A. Smith. Th'
chairs, ECO in number, are of the paten
revolving opera-chair pattern, fnlshe;
in imitation cherry cloth Undc
each seat is patent hat or book rack. The,
were procured by Mr.. Henry j. Nelson, an,
reflect much credit upon his taste. The read
ing desk is superb piece of carved cherry
with raised velvet cushion. Upon the from
of the desk, in beautifully carved letters, ar
the words Via Vertas Vita" This dcs
is the elegant gift Of Professor Clark, fol
merly of the University, and is one of til
finest pieces OF workmanship in its line tina
/ was ever seen in Burlington. The stage
carpeted with dark rcd Kdderminsier, an
the floor Of the main chapel is painted a nta
1 gray and laid with mating. The window
r are high, and admirably fitted for slaine
} glass memorials, with which we hope 10 500
see the common glass replaced. Any one f;
miiar with the dingy old chapel can not hel
Icing struck with the great contrast betwee
t thai and the present lofty, elegant and spi
cious apartment. 1t is a room worthy of II
noble building of which it is, in Il sense, Il
q representative; and the trustees, alumni an
1 friends of the University are to be congratl
: lated upon the way in which their interes
have been represented by those who had i
, designing and adornment in charge.