The Chapel of the Resurrection is the centerpiece structure on the campus of Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana. It has been described as the largest collegiate chapel in the United States and the second largest collegiate chapel in the world. Because judgments about the relative size of such buildings can be difficult, other universities have made similar claims. Primarily used to facilitate many Lutheran campus worship services, the Chapel of the Resurrection also serves as a site for convocations, musical performances, guest lectures, and commencement ceremonies. The chapel's chancel is high and is circular in shape; the roof of the apse is shaped like a nine-pointed star. The nave is high and long. The building capacity is around 2000, although this number is flexible depending upon the configuration of the chairs, which recently replaced the pews. To the southwest of the Chapel lies the Brandt Campanile, a 12-bell tower rising tall. Clearly visible from U.S. Route 30 and throughout the surrounding community, the building is located on the highest point of ground on the Valparaiso University campus and is a Northwest Indiana landmark.
History
Groundbreaking for the Chapel construction took place in 1956. The building was designed by the architectural firmCharles Stade and Associates of Park Ridge, Illinois, though certain elements and features were designed by other artists. Peter Dohmen Studios of St. Paul, Minnesota designed the high stained glass windows, as well as the marble interzia altar, and the mosaic at the entrance of the chapel. Adalbert Raphael Kretzmann, pastor and brother of Valparaiso University president O. P. Kretzmann, joined Charles Stade in the building's design. The altar is long, made of various types of Italian marble. Peter Dohmen designed the inlaid marble pedestals to depict, with symbols, the four evangelists. Matthew is represented by an angel, Mark by a lion, John by an eagle, and Luke by an ox. Peter Dohmen learned his skills at the top art academies of Europe. He became a well-known artist in Germany during the 1930s, executing major art works, such as stained glass windows, frescos on major public buildings, mosaics, etc. During the early 1940s he was blackballed by the government because of his outspoken opposition of the Nazi party. He immigrated to the United States with his family in 1951 and continued his artistic trade with great success. Amongst some of his major works are the stained glass windows in the library of the University of Notre Dame. Total construction costs of the chapel were about $7.5 million, much of which came through individual donations. The building was dedicated in 1959, part of Valparaiso University's centennial celebration, and officially designated as the Chapel of the Resurrection at the 10th anniversary service in 1969. In July and August 2005, the university built a medieval-style prayer labyrinth on the east side of the Chapel, 64 feet in diameter. The university is adding to the building in 2014, known as the Helge Center.
Organ
The Reddel Organ in the Chapel was built by organ builder Herman Schlicker of Buffalo, New York. A contract for the organ was signed on September 27, 1957 at a cost of $68,000. These funds paid for about three-quarters of the entire specification, the price of which would have been $98,000. Paul Bunjes of Concordia College, River Forest, Illinois, was retained as consultant. The instrument was dedicated at the morning Eucharist on September 27, 1959, and was featured that evening in a recital by E. Power Biggs to a record audience of over 2,000 people. It was rebuilt and enlarged in 1995-1996 by Dobson Pipe Organ Builders of Lake City, Iowa.
