The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Chapel Auditorium

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Institution Name: Iowa Wesleyan College
Original/Historic Place Name: University Chapel and Science Hall
Location on Campus: Center Campus
Date(s) of Construction and Designer(s):

1889	construction began Snider, John for L. Wilhelm & Sons
1893	construction completed Unknown

Type of Place: Individual building
Style(s): (Glossary)
Materials:

Foundation: stone

Walls: brick

Roof: none specified

Function:

ca. 1893	library
ca. 1893	classrooms
ca. 1893	chapel
ca. 1893	academic department building (chemistry)
1893-present (2007)	auditorium (seats 750)
ca. 2004-present (2007)	student union (student-run coffeehouse)

Significance: architecture, history
Landmark designation:

none

Narrative: see below
References: see below

Narrative:
This building emphasizes the connection between education and religion and has served as the cultural center for the campus and the community. The building has beautiful stained glass windows and wonderful acoustics that add to its charm. The auditorium in the largest in the county and serves the community and the campus for cultural events, meetings, recitals, and other uses. The renovation of the building has been supported by the efforts of a College/community Chapel Restoration Committee that has worked for the past 19 years to raise funds to preserve and maintain the building. Currently the building is in need of a new roof and masonry work on the brick towers. A master plan completed in 2000 has identified and prioritized other areas of structural concern.

References:

I. Bibliographic sources:

Corkhill, Thomas E. "The Birth of Iowa Wesleyan." Mt. Pleasant Iowa Wesleyan, November 30, 1896.

Haselmayer, Louis A. A Sesquicentennial History of Iowa Wesleyan College (1842-1992). Mt. Pleasant, IA: Iowa Wesleyan College, 1992.

Kennedy, Charles J. History and Alumni Record of Iowa Wesleyan College 1842-1942. Mt. Pleasant, IA: Iowa Wesleyan College, 1942.

Portrait and Biographical Album of Henry County, Iowa. Chicago: Acme Publishing Company, 1888.

II. Location of other data:

University: Library, Special Collections