Wesley Chapel and Martin Religious Center

John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church, and Stanley H. Martin, President of the college from 1957-72 are honored with this building.

Wesley’s desire for the uniting of knowledge and piety inspired not only the naming of this building, but also serves as an important goal for the college community as a whole.

Martin, our longest-serving president to date, is largely credited with creating a campus Master Plan (1958), that has guided the development and style of all buildings ever since. An ordained Methodist minister, he taught Religious Education at the School of Theology at Boston University and served as the first Dean of Marsh Chapel at that institution before coming to Wesleyan.  (2020) Remembering Stanley Martin [DreamersAndGiants 2020-01-27]

Planning

Larson and Larson 1966

On December 1, 1965, in President Stanley H. Martin’s office, the contract was signed for the new chapel and religious center. Board president Myron B. Hymes and board secretary, Clay B. Whetsell, signed for the college and John I. Vandegrift for the contractor. [Sundil 1965-12, p.12]a

On December 7, 1965, ground was broken in ceremonies that included participants from all elements of the college community its alumni and friends. Myron B. Hymes said, “Today we break ground for the construction of a building which has been in the minds and in the hearts of trustees of the college for more than 20 years. It is a beautiful dream come true.” Sundil 1965-12, p.12]

Chapel Ground-Breaking Marks Historical Moment [Pharos 1965-12-22, p.1]

Classrooms and offices at the back of this building reflect Stanley Martin’s emphasis on teaching and administration alike.

Wesley Chapel seats 1,800 people.

Construction

Cornerstone Laying Ceremony for Wesley Chapel [Program]

  • (1966) Cornerstone Laying for Wesley Chapel and Religious Center [Sundial 1966-12, p.6]
  • (1966) No Half-Baking Here, Lots of TLC by Alum [Sundial 1966-12, p.29] Wesleyan graduate Ronald Faust of Pittsburgh, Pa., Class of 1955, offers an interesting anecdote concerning the chapel-building effort. His own firm, Tri-State Finishing Company, recently received a large chapel steeple in its Pittsburgh plant marked for “baked enamel finish.” Owner Faust noted the word “Wesleyan” stamped on the packing and quickly checked the incoming invoice from Overly manufacturing Company. Sure enough! The steeple was destined for the campus of his alma mater, West Virginia Wesleyan College, where it will soon soar atop the new Chapel. Faust said, “That’s one job that really received tender, loving care in my plant!”

Dedication

Consecration Service was held Sunday, October 29, 1967

Details

Bells

      • The bell (cast in 1890) which hung in the original seminary building and which survived the 1905 fire that claimed the building was later placed in the tower of the Lynch-Raine Administration Building and is pictured here before its move into the steeple of Wesley Chapel on October 22, 1966. Pictured with the bell are Dr. Stanley Martin, president of West Virginia Wesleyan College (1957-1972) and Mrs. Charles Lynch (nee Fannie Jones, West Virginia Conference Seminary Class of 1901) who was a member of the Emeritus Club. The bell has sounded only infrequently since its hanging, notably on the death of Stanley Martin and after the September 11, 2001 attacks. Click here to see the photograph.

(2019) Marking the Hours [DreamersAndGiants 2019-12-16]

Chambers Lounge

    Chambers Lounge 1968
  • (1979) Chapel Receives Attention, by Wayne Purdy, Managing Editor. During the month of January, Wesley Chapel received some needed attention to the maintenance of the sanctuary. Students who have ventured inside the chapel noticed that burned-out libhtbulbs were changed and the stained and worn aisle runners were replaced with a new plush green carpet. ~ Although the change was necessary to help maintain the image which the college wishes to keep, the color of the carpet does not quite match the rest of the decor. The previous rug, which can still be found in the choir lof and balcony seats, is a blueish-green that matched the aqua colored cushions in the pews as well as the “chapel green” walls. The new carpet is a yellow-green tint and clashes horribly with the cushions. ~ Dr. Sidney T. Davis, Dean of the Chapel commented that the color of the carpet was the only green swatch from which he was able to select. The firm which brought the swatches had samples of this carpet pile in a wide selection of five colors. The only other color which would have been a comlement to the existing decor was dark brown, but it would have changed the mood of the chapel completely. ~ Mr. Patton L. Nickell, Jr., Vice President of Administrative Affairs said that after much searching, this shade was the closest match to the present carpet he could find. ~ In hope of some “Master Plan” for remodeling the chapel, the author searched through the ranks for a clue as to when the pew cushions would be changed to match the carpet, and furthermore, the walls being repainted to match the runners and the pew cushions. If all goes well, the chapel will be repainted toward the end of this summer. Possibly the paint chosen will match the carpet, leaving only the cushions as the interior’s mismatch. If the color does not complement the decor, at least the cracked and peeling ceiling will no longer be noticeable as it has been for the past two years. ~ Other work which is slated for the chapel this summer is to level off the concrete blocks which have sunken on the patio behind John Wesley and to plant some shrubs to discourage walking on the grass in front of the chapel. [Pharos 1979-02-20, p.1]
  • (1979) Named in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Chambers, both class of 1920, in recognition of a bequest Mr. Chambers left in his will. The grandfather clock in Chambers Lounge was made by Mr. Chambers and several pianos on campus are gifts of Mrs. Chambers. [Sundial 1979-03, p.9]

John Wesley Statue

Installation 1967

Kresge Hall 

Meditation Chapel

  • (1966) The meditation chapel within Wesley Chapel will be known as “West Chapel” in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Calvin A. West whose bequest in 1948 left $100,000 for the chapel and established the original fund on which to build finances for the structure. [Sundial 1966-06, p.14] 
    • Marble Altar
    • Rose Window
    • Side Windows

Narthex

Reger Bible

Organ

Sanctuary

    • Chancel Area 
      • A large, specially designed table, surrounded by twelve chairs each bearing a symbol of an apostle, will occupy the center position in the chancel and suggest the Last Supper. One part of the design in the table will include the OIKOUMENE symbol of ecumenicity and the words from the Scripture, “Come, now let us reason together.”  [West Virginia Wesleyan College Bulletin 1967-10, p.3]
      • Further uniqueness is found in the plan for the use of the chancel furniture. The completed furniture will include a pulpit, lectern, the table and chairs, an altar of special design, and organ console. With the single exception of the pulpit, all of these furnishings are portable and can be removed, clearing the area for the performance of chancel drama, choir, orchestra and other special concerts.  [West Virginia Wesleyan College Bulletin 1967-10, p.3]
    • The Carved Statues of the Apostles

Trustee Room

    • The Clyde O. Law Trustee Room was made possible by a gift from John Law (1940), in honor of his father’s 37 years of service on the board of trustees, with many of them as the chair of the board. The gift was given at the time of the building of Wesley Chapel and the Martin Religious Center. Clyde (Sem 1905; WVWC 1909) died in 1964.
    • (1986) Helen Law Funk and husband Thorold (1936) accompanied me (Herb Sharp, 1943) to the Clyde 0. Law Trustee Room on Saturday afternoon after the luncheon to look at the drapes in the room which are 21 years old and need replacing. Helen and Thoro plan to provide funds for this project later this year. Clyde 0. Law is Helen’s father and served the college as a trustee for 37 years and as chairman for many years. His son, John Law (1940), made a gift when the Wesley Chapel and Martin Religious Center were built that helped make the room possible. For the Law and Funk families we are grateful. [Emeritus Club Newsletter 1986-06, p.18] (Note: those renovations were accomplished in 1999).

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