At the Heart of Home
For over 60 years, students, faculty, staff, and members of the Valparaiso and Porter County communities have associated Valparaiso University with one iconic building: the Chapel of the Resurrection.
Towering over all surrounding structures with an unmistakable profile, this campus building and house of worship has held a special place in the hearts of many. From the alumni who remember the excitement of being welcomed into the campus community at Opening Convocation, to the crowds that flock to the annual Christmas Vespers performances, to couples whose ties to the University led to them saying their vows before the Christus Rex, and to students seeking the solace of a quiet moment, the Chapel of the Resurrection has been the place of celebration, mourning, reflection, and unity at Valparaiso University.
As a Lutheran University, it is fitting that the Chapel of the Resurrection sits at the very heart of campus.
A Modern Design for a Modern Campus
When the Chapel was built, however, it was not at the heart of anything. It stood on agricultural land, part of a 100-acre purchase by the University in anticipation of further development and the future of the campus.
The structure’s architecture was looking toward the future as well.
“There was a really interesting international conversation on what religious architecture should look like after WWII that shattered a lot of assumptions about the modern world and the future of faith,” says Gretchen Buggeln, Ph.D., professor of art history and humanities.
The large-scale destruction of populated areas in WWII Europe meant that countless churches needed rebuilt, and a surging population in America, particularly in the new suburbs, meant a similar demand for more houses of worship. Modernism, which rejected a reliance on historic architecture, was one way churches adapted to the rapidly changing world.
“The Lutheran Church was really on the vanguard of what was going on with modernist architecture,” adds University Pastor James Wetzstein, M.Div.
Professor Buggeln and Pastor Wetzstein both joined the campus community in 2004 and share a deep appreciation for the history and architecture of the Chapel of the Resurrection, the former having written extensively on the building’s architect, Charles E. Stade.
“This was the building that really took me into the 20th century,” Professor Buggeln says. “That led me to getting interested in the architect, then his church work, and eventually doing a book on post-war modern church design, with Charles Stade as one of the three main architects whom I studied.”
Professor Buggeln describes Stade as “the architect of our post-war campus,” having designed numerous buildings at the University, including the Chapel of the Resurrection, Neils Science Center, and more. The Chapel of the Resurrection, however, would hold a special place in his heart, with his daughter stating that it was his favorite work.
Born in Des Plaines, Illinois, in 1923, Stade would have been very aware of the international conversation around church architecture in the post-WWII era, having traveled extensively to view art and buildings around the world. He had also been raised Lutheran, and many of his childhood friends became pastors. When those pastors needed building projects completed, Stade was almost invariably the man for the job. His experience with churches and dedication to modern architecture were key factors that shaped what would become the Chapel of the Resurrection.
Originally called Memorial Chapel, it hosted its first convocation on September 14, 1958, despite the lack of stained glass, altar, pulpit, lectern, or railings. One year later, on September 27, 1959, the completed Memorial Chapel held its official dedication ceremony, the program for which can be viewed here.
At that time, a lot of our concerts were being set up on the east end, because they wanted that stained glass backdrop … The acoustician said, ‘yeah, don’t do that’.
Updating and Revising
One major element from Stade’s original design that had to be revised during construction was the position of the organ. Originally, the organ was to be set on the north wall (now facing the Harre Union), with more glass on the west (nearest the Christopher Center). Those in charge of music, however, insisted that the ideal place for music to come from would be the west end. Indeed, when an acoustician was hired to evaluate the building for a sound system upgrade years later, it was confirmed that the west end was the ideal location for sound to come from.
“At that time, a lot of our concerts were being set up on the east end, because they wanted that stained glass backdrop,” Pastor Wetzstein says. “The acoustician said, ‘yeah, don’t do that’.”
The Christus Rex sculpture hanging above the Chapel’s altar also underwent some changes from its original design. The first draft of the piece features lowered arms in a more humble posture. The 21-foot tall version by Ernst Schwidder currently at the Chapel’s altar was created by David Elder, a former member of the University’s art faculty.
A recent change was the replacement of the 1960s wooden pews with today’s interlocking chairs. Though beloved by students, the pews were large, extremely heavy, and, by 2008, actively falling apart. A carpenter from facilities management had to individually examine each one before Commencement, applying glue and screws where needed in the hopes of holding them together for another ceremony. When one of the pews in the front row collapsed during the inauguration of Mark Heckler in 2008, the need for change became undeniable.
The new chairs are near replicas of the chairs designed by Dick Russell for Coventry Cathedral in England in the post-war period. The University found Luke Hughes, who owned the reproduction rights to the original chairs, and requested a prototype copy. The original dimensions were slightly altered for comfort.
Their moveability and ability to be locked together or taken apart as-needed has allowed Chapel staff to flexibly configure seating for uses that the old pews would never have accommodated. Seating can be turned around for concert viewing, or arranged around a center point for smaller, more intimate services.
Entering Valpo History
Pastor Wetzstein says that the best way to enter the Chapel is through the center of the west doors, as it allows one to experience the “compression and release” style of architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright and Edward Dart, from whom he believes Stade took inspiration.
“When you come in from the west side, that super imposing wall is somewhat humanized by the porch ceiling,” Pastor Wetzstein says. “Then when you come into the narthex, the ceiling that was welcome outside starts to seem a little low, and when you get into the chancel, it hasn’t changed its height, but it becomes, to me, even more oppressive. It creates a heightened level of experience when you come out from under it and get into the whole space.”
The “whole space” in this case is the nave, 58 feet tall and 193 feet long, ending in the 98-foot-tall chancel — which, according to the Times of Northwest Indiana, is in the top 20 tallest structures in the Region. To most visitors, the most striking part of the space would likely be the enormous, stained glass windows behind the altar.
Taking two years to complete and dedicated in 1961, this massive, multicolored art installation depicts “the dawning of the New Day in Christ our Lord,” with the window on the left depicting the works of God the Father, and the one on the right the works of God the Holy Spirit. The installation of the window was made possible by a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Alfred C. Munderloh, of Detroit.
Though it is easy to get lost in the myriad images in all three windows, Pastor Wetzstein notes a few things that may not be immediately apparent about the intricate design. First, while the right and left windows primarily depict blue and gray, the presence of green in the center window forms the image of the Tree of Life, with a visible stalk and leaves. He also points out that, while the window on the left has imagery signifying the humanities and the window on the right imagery of vocational work, the window in the center is entirely composed of religious iconography.
“The way I read that is that people are co-creators with God, and the Holy Spirit calls us into lives of service, but the redemption of the world is unilaterally divine action,” he says.
One panel on the left side of the installation bears the studio mark of the windows’ manufacturer, placed upside down. According to Pastor Wetzstein, this choice is based on a medieval tradition, wherein tradesmen like stonemasons would mark things upside down as to be read by God from above.
Many of the panels on the Chancel windows can be opened, and the one featuring a test tube opens to directly face the Center for Sciences: Chemistry and Biochemistry. While this placement is complete happenstance, the glass installation in the Center created by Hot Shot Valpo was — according to Pastor Wetzstein — in part inspired by the Chancel window.
Countless other treasures and pieces of history sit in the Chapel, the labor of former professors and local craftsmen and behind-the-scenes features that have been modernized. The true value of the Chapel of the Resurrection, however, is not necessarily in the materials, but in the experiences of visitors, and what the building means to the servant-leaders who walk through its doors.
Different Meanings for Different People
At the beginning of its lifetime, the Chapel of the Resurrection would have been seen as a very modern house of worship with an inseparable tie to academic life. Course discussions, especially in freshman core classes, would have revolved around what students heard spoken from the pulpit earlier that day.
Today, 65 years after the building’s initial dedication, students continue to appreciate the amazing structure, though through a strikingly different lens.
“For this generation of students, the building looks old,” says Professor Buggeln. “It is historic architecture, and something they don’t see very often. They appreciate it in ways that students 30 years ago wouldn’t have.”
For students who practice the Lutheran faith, the Chapel is the center of prayer life at the University. With eight worship services during the week while classes are in session, weekday morning prayers, weekly candlelight evening prayers, and various special services and events throughout the year, there are numerous opportunities for anyone to fit their faith into a busy schedule.
The majority of activities in the Chapel are student-run and require a team of servant-leaders to coordinate and execute. Each year, these Beacons graduate and spread their dedication to faith in communities far and wide, often in positions of leadership wherever they are.
“Whenever I’m out and about as a guest preacher, or consultant, Valpo alumni will introduce themselves to me, and they will, invariably, be on boards of directors, or Sunday school principals,” says Pastor Wetztein.
Students who are not Lutheran, are not Christian, or have no religious affiliation whatsoever can also benefit from Valpo’s most iconic building in a number of ways. Concerts and art events are regularly held in the Chapel, lectures are given periodically, and the annual convocation ceremony welcomes every incoming freshman to their new campus community. Each year, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Chapel of the Resurrection welcomes the community to a ceremony celebrating the achievements of underprivileged groups, and the doors are almost always open to anyone simply seeking a moment of quiet.
“It’s fair to say that, whether or not you’re here for a religious purpose, all of our students experience this space,” says Professor Buggeln. “And you can’t be in this space and not be aware of the religious purposes.”
After Varun Raj Pucha ’24, an international student from India, was tragically killed in October of 2023, the Chapel welcomed the international community to a morning prayer dedicated to Varun., A few weeks later brought in the whole community for a memorial that included readings from the Bhagavad Gita — the sacred texts of the Hindu faith. Regardless of the ceremony’s cultural requirements, having a central, organized institution for prayer and worship was key for providing the campus and community with a ready-made space for making such an event happen.
“I think the fact that we maintain this robust worship and prayer life for the sake of the community gives the community a place to go when they need to go there. It’s good to have a ritual infrastructure that exists for the campus,” says Pastor Wetzstein. “The musicians are already scheduled, the people running the event know what they’re doing, and it’s easy to just welcome people into that.”
For several alumni, the Chapel of the Resurrection is where they have gone to celebrate key parts of their lives, even beyond graduation. Jill Sifuentes ’04 Schur, M.S., vice president of enrollment and marketing, performed at the Chapel in the Gospel Choir as a student, shared information about the organ and windows as a tour guide, and returned to space in 2010 as a bride for her wedding to Adam Schur ’04.
Jill Sifuentes ’04 Schur, M.S. and Adam Schur ’04
“Valpo was the reason we met and was so important to both of us that it was an easy decision to bring our families together to celebrate joining our lives at the Chapel,” Vice President Schur says. “Beyond all the special memories we have, the Chapel is gorgeous, and we loved being able to share it with our friends and family, many of whom were also Valpo alumni, including the pastors who performed our ceremony — Nicole Welsh ’03 Kelly and Tim Brown ’03.”
The Chapel is an icon of not just the University, but of the surrounding community as a whole. Friends and family of students, faculty and staff, as well as residents of Porter County and visitors from all around the Region regularly enjoy the Chapel of the Resurrection for the variety of events held there every year. The annual Christmas at Valpo, Julefest, and other holiday concerts help countless families ring in the holidays, and the Chapel is a centerpiece for several Homecoming, MLK Day, and Easter celebrations.
Helge Center
The addition of the Helge Center, dedicated in September 2015, provides spaces and services that the Chapel itself could not, including staff offices and a large, open space for gathering after weddings, funerals, and other ceremonies. The architect of the Helge Center, Don McKay of Nagle-Hartray Assoc., consciously respected the original Chapel by separating the new from the old, keeping a low profile that preserves the view of the Chapel from the south, and choosing a complementary style.
In 2021, the U.S. government recognized the Chapel of the Resurrection for its architectural significance by awarding it a listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The Chapel thus joined the official ranks of landmarks of American architecture.
It’s fair to say that, whether or not you’re here for a religious purpose, all of our students experience this space.
A Lasting Message of Faith and Service
While the Chapel may not have begun its life as the center point of Valparaiso University’s campus, it’s certainly central to the University today. Not only is it in the physical center of many of Valpo’s most important buildings, its presence has influenced the design of the campus that grew around it. No building has been permitted to stand higher than the cross on the bell tower — leading to the shorter, broader construction of facilities like the Harre Union.
Beyond its physical presence, the messages of faith and service that are held as the core of Valparaiso University’s underlying mission are present in the very walls of its house of worship. Upon entering the Chapel, the angled walls on the sides give the illusion of continuous brick. But upon turning to leave, the many windows lining the sides of the building are revealed, showing the world outside in a way that Pastor Wetzstein sees as symbolic of the call to serve others.
“It’s a striking sort of reveal of the world around the Chapel,” Pastor Wetzstein says. “The way I interpret it is that you’re drawn to communion with God in the eucharist, then you turn, and the building opens up to the world, which is where you complete your service.”
Historic photos courtesy of Valparaiso University Archives
68 Years of History
1956
During homecoming weekend, a consecration ceremony is held on the chapel grounds and construction begins.
1958
The Memorial Chapel is used for its first convocation ceremony.
1959
The Memorial Chapel, Reddell Memorial Organ, Meier Music Window, and Gloria Christi Chapel (also known as the Guild Chapel) are dedicated.
1960
The Cornerstone, depicting the faithful as wheat in a field, fish in a net, and sheep in a pasture, is dedicated.
1961
The Center Chancel Window, depicting “The Dawn of a New Day in Christ” is dedicated. The installation of this center window was made possible by a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Alfred C. Munderloh, of Detroit.
1965
The altar, Christus Rex, and Munderloh Windows are dedicated. The altar is a 21-foot long, freestanding piece of black Italian marble. The altar and windows were designed by the Peter Dohmen Studios of St. Paul.
1966
The LeBein Baptistry is dedicated. The five-and-a-half-ton block of Rockville granite comprising the baptismal font was designed and built by Conrad Schmidtt Studios of New Berlin, Wisconsin.
1969
The Memorial Chapel is renamed to the Chapel of the Resurrection.
2005
The Resurrection Labyrinth and “I AM” garden just outside the east end of the Chapel is dedicated. They were given in memory of Nicole Unrath ’03 by her family and friends.
2015
The Kathleen and Mark Helge Center is dedicated during Homecoming Weekend as part of an extensive renovation and upgrade project funded by Valparaiso University alumni Rev. Mark ’71 and Kathleen Koepp ’71 Helge.
2017
As part of a campanile improvements project, 12 bells were removed from the tower for polishing, and the campanile was rewired.
2021
The Chapel of the Resurrection is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
