Memorial Chapel records
Abstract
Dedicated on October 6, 1952, the Memorial Chapel honors members of the University of Maryland community who lost their lives serving in the United States armed forces. Chaplains, who are appointed by their various denominations and religions, administer the chapel, which is non-denominational. The collection contains reports, statistics, calendars, publications, articles, correspondence (letters and emails), invoices, photographs, slides, blueprints, reservation forms, schedules, contracts, brochures, programs, meeting minutes, registers, and ledgers. The collection represents a wealth of information on the various denominations and faiths that are represented on the campus as well as on the functions held at the chapel and the activities of the chapel staff.
Important Information for Users of the Collection
Yes, some files in this collection are restricted. Please contact the Archives and Manuscripts Department for more information.
Memorial Chapel records, Special Collections, University of Maryland Libraries.
Photocopies of original materials may be provided for a fee and at the discretion of the curator. Please see our Duplication of Materials policy for more information. Queries regarding publication rights and copyright status of materials within this collection should be directed to the appropriate curator.
This collection is PROCESSED.
Historical Note
In 1942, students at the University of Maryland campus began petitioning for the construction of an inter-denominational, memorial chapel on the College Park campus. The community at large became engaged, and as a result, on October 6, 1952 the university formally dedicated the Memorial Chapel. The chapel honors members of the University of Maryland community who lost their lives while serving in the United States armed forces. No state appropriations were used to build the chapel; support for the construction came from donations and gifts as well as from surplus university income.
Over the years, the chapel has continued to commemorate members of the university community who have lost their lives in the U.S. armed forces. A beautifully bound Roll of Honor, commonly known as the Memorial Book, lists the names of 209 students and alumni who graduated from the university between the years 1919 and 1950 and lost their lives during military service. The chapel's 1952 dedication ceremony included the display of this book. The book remained on display for nearly 50 years before being transferred to the University of Maryland for safe keeping. In addition to the Memorial Book, a Vietnam Memorial was constructed in 1988 on the south side of the chapel. There have been numerous Veterans' day services held at the chapel since it was built. A recent service on November 11, 2004 included a candlelight vigil in memory of those who lost their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Currently, the chapel is non-denominational and has fourteen chaplains who are appointed by their various denominations and religions. Throughout its tenure on campus, it has been managed by a variety of people and departments. It was first managed under the Office of the President with the executive secretary for many years being Jim Youmans. It then transferred to the Conference and Visitor Services under Student Affairs with Nick Kovalakides being the Campus Visitor Advocate. It is now managed by the Campus Programs unit of the Stamp Student Union in the Division of Student Affairs, with Megan Dillard being the Chapel Coordinator.
Some interesting facts about the history of chapel: Henry Powel Hopkins was the architect for the chapel, and he also designed and made a complete silver communion set to be used in its services. The first funeral recorded was for UMCP Registrar Alma Prienkart, whose un-solved murder in 1954 was a shock to the community. In the wedding registers that were kept by the chapel, the first wedding to be listed was for Albert E. Statt and Helen Ann Bump on November 27, 1952. Additionally, there have been generous gifts made to the chapel. They include the Mollr Organ housed in the Main Chapel, the Carillonic Bells, the Memorial Garden, the above mentioned Communion Silver Set, some Brass Alter Pieces, an Embroidered Altar Cloth, and the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. This last item was built largely from the funds of a Mr. Thomas Pangborn of Hagerstown, MD who was a long time friend of the University.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The records of the Memorial Chapel date from 1952-2006 with the bulk of the material covering 1970-1990 and 2003-2005. The collection includes reports, computer punch cards, statistics, calendars, publications, correspondence (letters and emails), invoices, photographs, slides, blueprints, reservation forms, schedules, contracts, brochures, programs, meeting minutes, registers, ledgers and information on the various denominations and faiths that are represented on the campus.
Custodial History and Acquisition Information
The University of Maryland Libraries received the records of the Memorial Chapel in two accessions. The first on March 6, 2002 from Julie Luce, then Chapel Coordinator and the second on June 30, 2006 from Megan Dillard, the current Chapel Coordinator.
Processing Information
Processed by Alicia Reinhardt, May 2007
The records have been placed in acid-free folders and boxes. Metallic paper clips, and other metal fasteners were removed and replaced with plastic clips over strips of acid-free paper. Newspaper clippings were photocopied onto acid-free paper and discarded. Acid-free paper was interleaved between documents that appeared to be made of acidic paper. Duplicate copies of documents were also discarded. Binders were deconstructed with the records and their dividers placed within acid free folders. Copies were made of the front of folders that had information written on them, they were kept with the material from their folder
Photographs, slides, negatives and oversized material were removed from the records and placed in separate locations. Photographs, slides and negatives were placed within Mylar sleeves and oversized material was placed between acid free mats. Acid free separation sheets were left in the folders in place of these items. Copies were also kept with the original material.
Restricted documents have been pulled from their original folders and placed in separate folders so that patrons can view the files in which these documents are found. A sheet of acid-free paper with a brief notation denotes the original place of these restricted documents in the folders. Only the folders that contain the restricted documents are marked as RESTRICTED.
EAD markup created using EAD database in Microsoft Access. Markup completed by Alicia Reinhardt, May 2007.
Arrangement of Collection
The collection is organized in three series.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1: Administrative Records, 1952-2006 (6.5 linear feet)
This series contains reports, statistics, calendars, publications, correspondence, invoices, photographs, slides, blueprints, reservation forms, schedules, contracts, brochures, programs, meeting minutes, registers and ledgers recording the baptisms, deaths and weddings and information on the various denominations and faiths that are represented on the campus. In addition to the death register, there are two folders that address the memorial services held in the chapel over the years. The series is arranged alphabetically.
Records of note: computer punch cards, a full blueprint to the Mller Organ and the Memorial Garden, and a topographical map of campus.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Annual Report - Vice President's Commission on Student Administration Relationships, 1968-1969 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| Annual Report [Campus Guest Service], 1991-1998 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| Archive Index File, undated | series 1 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| Baptism Register, July 1958- September 1987 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| Calendars/ General Information, undated | series 1 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| Calendars/ General Information -- Academic Calendar, 1997-2003 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
| Calendars/ General Inormation -- Clergy, undated | series 1 | box 1 | folder 7 | |
| Calendars/ General Information -- Directions, undated | series 1 | box 1 | folder 8 | |
| Calendars/ General Information -- Dining, Lodging, August 1999, May 1996 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 9 | |
| Calendars/ General Information -- Fees, 1997 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 10 | |
| Calendars/ General Information -- Football Scholarship, 1997 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 11 | |
| Calendars/ General Information -- Sports Scholarship, Spring, 1997 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 12 | |
| Calendars/ General Information -- Special Info, 1997 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 13 | |
| Calendars/ General Information -- Visitor Center, 1997-1999 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 14 | |
| Calendars/ General Information -- Worship Services, 1997-1999 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 15 | |
| Calendars/ General Information -- Wedding Brochure, undated | series 1 | box 1 | folder 16 | |
| Calendars/ General Information -- Chapel Rental, 1996 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 17 | |
| Calendars/ General Information -- Seating Chart, 1995 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 18 | |
| Calendars/ General Information -- Marriage License Info, 1996 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 19 | |
| Calendars/ General Information -- Notes, 1997 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 20 | |
| Campus Crusade For Christ, 1974-1978 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 1 | folder 20 | |
| CARP - Unification Church -- [Collegiate Association for the Research of the Principle] (Includes Oversize), 1975-1982 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 21 | |
| CARP - Unification Church -- Unification File -- [Collegiate Association for the Research of the Principle], 1988 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 22 | |
| Chapel Bells -- Clock, 1991 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 1 | |
| Chapel Bells -- Clock - Bells invoices and Correspondence, 1991-1996 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 2 | |
| Chapel History, 1961-2001 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 3 | |
| Chapel History -- Handicap Issues (Memorial Chapel), 1980-1981 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 4 | |
| Chapel History -- Religious Freedom, 1977-1983 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 5 | |
| Chapel History -- Chapel Renovations, 1982-1984 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 6 | |
| Chapel History -- Chapel Photographs and News Articles, 1979-2000 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 7 | |
| Chapel - Information, 1986, 1987 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 8 | |
| Chapel Information -- [Chapel Assistant Guide], 1988-1989 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 9 | |
| Chapel Information -- [Chapel Memorial Book Information], February 18, 1960 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 10 | |
| Chapel Information -- Chapel Silver Theft, July 16, 1969 | series 1 | box 2 | folder 11 | |
| Chapel -- Letters, 1989-1992 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 2 | folder 12 | |
| Chapel -- Notes, 1988-1991 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 2 | folder 13 | |
| Chapel -- Policies and Positions, 1952-1991 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 3 | folder 1 | |
| [Chapel] -- Policy Governing Use, 1958, 1978, 1983, 1989 | series 1 | box 3 | folder 2 | |
| [Chapel Pupose and Policy], 1952, 1984, 1991 | series 1 | box 3 | folder 3 | |
| Chapel Rates, undated | series 1 | box 3 | folder 4 | |
| Chapel -- Requests, 1989-1990 | series 1 | box 3 | folder 5 | |
| Chapel -- Reservations, April 1989 - December 1990 | series 1 | box 3 | folder 6 | |
| [Chaplain Assistant Packet], January - June 2003 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 3 | folder 7 | |
| [Chaplain Assistant Packet], July - December 2003 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 3 | folder 8 | |
| [Chaplain Assistant Packet], January - June 2004 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 4 | folder 1 | |
| [Chaplain Assistant Packet], July - December 2004 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 4 | folder 2 | |
| [Chaplain Assistant Packet], May 23, 2005 - July 10, 2005 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 4 | folder 3 | |
| [Chaplain Assistant Packet], July 11, 2005 - January 2, 2006 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 4 | folder 4 | |
| Chaplaincies, 1978, 1984 | series 1 | box 5 | folder 1 | |
| Choir! Choirs! Choirs!, 1995-1997 | series 1 | box 5 | folder 2 | |
| Commencement Information -- (Chaplains), May 1981- December 1988 | series 1 | box 5 | folder 3 | |
| Commencement -- [Programs], May 1984 - December 1986 | series 1 | box 5 | folder 4 | |
| Death Register, September 1959 - November 1984 | series 1 | box 5 | folder 5 | |
| Divine Light Mission, March, 1974 | series 1 | box 5 | folder 6 | |
| Divine Light Mission - Church of the Living God, 1988 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 5 | folder 7 | |
| Donated Items, 1995-2000 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 5 | folder 8 | |
| Donations, 1961-2001 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 5 | folder 9 | |
| Donations -- [General Acknowledgment Letters], 1994, 1996, 2000 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 5 | folder 10 | |
| Donations -- Gift Receipt Forms, (Chapel) Moller Pipe Organ Fund, 1980-1982 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 5 | folder 11 | |
| Donations -- Piano Fund, 1984-1986 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 5 | folder 12 | |
| Events, 2001 | series 1 | box 6 | folder 1 | |
| Events - ACURA -- [Association for the Coordination of University Religious Affairs], 1973, 1981-1986 | series 1 | box 6 | folder 2 | |
| Fiscal Matters, October 27, 1987 | series 1 | box 6 | folder 3 | |
| Groups, Miscellaneous, 1988 | series 1 | box 6 | folder 4 | |
| Groups, Miscellaneous -- ACLU Suit, 1988 | series 1 | box 6 | folder 5 | |
| Groups, Miscellaneous -- Additional Religious Groups, 10/9/1980 | series 1 | box 6 | folder 6 | |
| Groups, Miscellaneous -- American Orthodox, 1979-1980 | series 1 | box 6 | folder 7 | |
| Groups, Miscellaneous -- Buddhist, 1979-1980 | series 1 | box 6 | folder 8 | |
| Groups, Miscellaneous -- Chaplaincy Pamphlets, 1979, 1987, n.d. | series 1 | box 6 | folder 9 | |
| Groups, Miscellaneous -- Cult Activity, 1978, 1982, 2001, n.d. | series 1 | box 6 | folder 10 | |
| Groups, Miscellaneous -- Disciples of Christ, 1970 | series 1 | box 6 | folder 11 | |
| Groups, Miscellaneous -- Greek Orthodox, 1972, 1980-1982 | series 1 | box 6 | folder 12 | |
| Groups, Miscellaneous -- Hebrew Christian Fellowship, 1980 | series 1 | box 6 | folder 13 | |
| Groups, Miscellaneous -- Reverend Sami K. Kanani Baptists Mid-Session, 1980-1981 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 6 | folder 14 | |
| Groups, Miscellaneous -- Seventh Day Adventist, 1979-1980 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 6 | folder 15 | |
| Knowledge of Self Club, 1975-1976 | series 1 | box 6 | folder 16 | |
| Main Chapel Organ Project, 1974, 1983, n.d. | series 1 | box 6 | folder 17 | |
| Main Chapel Organ Project -- Concert, December 10, 1982 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 6 | folder 18 | |
| Main Chapel Organ Project -- Jim Youmans [Correspondence], 1982-1983 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 7 | folder 1 | |
| Main Chapel Organ Project -- Jim Youmans [Correspondence] (Includes Oversize), 1974-1982 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 7 | folder 2 | |
| Main Chapel Organ Project -- Organ Maintenance Contract, 1983 | series 1 | box 7 | folder 3 | |
| Maintenance, 1964, 1989-1992, 2001 | series 1 | box 7 | folder 4 | |
| [Maintenance] -- Furnishings, 1994, 1996 | series 1 | box 7 | folder 5 | |
| Maintenance of Building and Improvement, 1996 | series 1 | box 7 | folder 6 | |
| Memorial Garden Special Project (Includes Oversize), 1978-1981 | series 1 | box 7 | folder 7 | |
| Memorial Chapel Wall of Honor, 2002 | series 1 | box 7 | folder 8 | |
| Memorial Services, 1975-1987 | series 1 | box 7 | folder 9 | |
| Memorial Services -- Correspondence, 1976, 1984, 1986 | series 1 | box 7 | folder 10 | |
| Mennonite, 1975-1976 | series 1 | box 7 | folder 11 | |
| Ministries, 1999-2002, n.d. | series 1 | box 7 | folder 12 | |
| Music at Memorial Chapel, 1992-1997 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 8 | folder 1 | |
| Music Department -- Chapel Usage, 1976-1988 | series 1 | box 8 | folder 2 | |
| Music Department -- Handel Festival, 1981-1988 | series 1 | box 8 | folder 3 | |
| Music Series, 1994-1996 | series 1 | box 8 | folder 4 | |
| Music Series, 1989-1996 | series 1 | box 8 | folder 5 | |
| Music Series -- Publicity (Includes Oversize), 1994-1996 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 9 | folder 1 | |
| Myths and Truths, undated | series 1 | box 9 | folder 2 | |
| Navigators, undated | series 1 | box 9 | folder 3 | |
| Personnel -- Organists, 1979-1981 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 9 | folder 4 | |
| Personnel -- Chapel, 1980 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 9 | folder 5 | |
| Publications [article], 1983 | series 1 | box 9 | folder 6 | |
| Publictaions -- Memorial Chapel [Brochures], 1984-1985 | series 1 | box 9 | folder 7 | |
| Publications -- Lutheran Campus Ministry, 1984-1985 | series 1 | box 9 | folder 8 | |
| Religious Life Committee: Minutes, 1957-1958 | series 1 | box 9 | folder 9 | |
| Religious Preference [Loose Material], 1981 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 9 | folder 10 | |
| Religious Preference [Loose Material], 1983 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 9 | folder 11 | |
| Religious Preference [Loose Material- correspondence], 1983 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 10 | folder 1 | |
| Religious Preference, 1984-1987 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 10 | folder 2 | |
| Religious Preference, 1984-1985 | series 1 | box 10 | folder 3 | |
| Religious Preference -- Religious Preference List, 1959, 1971-1978 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 10 | folder 4 | |
| [Reservations], January - June 2003 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 10 | folder 5 | |
| [Reservations], July - December 2003 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 10 | folder 6 | |
| Reservation Contracts, January - June 2004 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 11 | folder 1 | |
| Reservation Contracts, July - December 2004 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 11 | folder 2 | |
| [Reservation forms, Chapel Information, Calendars] (Includes Oversize), 1995-1996, 2000-2001 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 11 | folder 3 | |
| RVSC [Retired Volunteer Service Corp], March 1998 - March 1999 | series 1 | box 11 | folder 4 | |
| Roll of Honor [Memorial Book] (Oversize Only), 1919-1950 | series 1 | box 11 | folder 5 | |
| Special Events -- Chapel Programs, 1972-1985 | series 1 | box 11 | folder 6 | |
| Special Events -- Chapel Programs -- Memorial Garden Re-construction [slides transferred to photograph series], undated | series 1 | box 11 | folder 7 | |
| Special Events -- Special Events Set Up, September 29, 1988 | series 1 | box 11 | folder 8 | |
| Staff Meetings, 1986-1988 | series 1 | box 11 | folder 9 | |
| Staff Meetings -- Chapel Staff Meetings, 1971-1978 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 11 | folder 10 | |
| Staff Meetings -- Reservation Office, 1978 [Restricted] | series 1 | box 11 | folder 11 | |
| Students for Biblical Concern, 1978 | series 1 | box 11 | folder 12 | |
| Vesper Service in Chapel, 1977-1979 | series 1 | box 11 | folder 13 | |
| [Wedding] Chapels (Others), 1957-2001 | series 1 | box 11 | folder 14 | |
| [Wedding] Chapels (Others) -- [University of Pittsburgh, Heinz Memorial Chapel], 1984 | series 1 | box 11 | folder 15 | |
| Wedding Directives -- (General Information, 1985, n.d. | series 1 | box 11 | folder 16 | |
| Wedding Directives -- Wedding in Memorial Chapel -- comments on draft, 1984 | series 1 | box 12 | folder 1 | |
| Wedding Directives -- Wedding Info Sheets -- proposed revisions, 1973-1984 | series 1 | box 12 | folder 2 | |
| Wedding Listserv, 1990-2000 | series 1 | box 12 | folder 3 | |
| Wedding Records, July 31, 1991 - January 8, 1994 | series 1 | box 12 | folder 4 | |
| [Wedding] Register, November 1952 - March 1976 | series 1 | box 12 | folder 5 | |
| [Wedding] Register, April 1976 - August 1980 | series 1 | box 12 | folder 6 | |
| [Wedding Register, August 1980 - June 1985 | series 1 | box 13 | folder 1 | |
| Wedding Stats, 1986-1999 | series 1 | box 13 | folder 2 | |
| Wedding Stats, 1991-2001 | series 1 | box 13 | folder 3 | |
| [Work Orders], 1983-1985 | series 1 | box 13 | folder 4 | |
Series 2: Photographs, 1981-2001 (.50 linear feet)
This series contains photographs, negatives, and slides. They capture events such as the re-construction of the Memorial Garden, and include many still shots of the chapel for promotional material.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photographs and Slides, 1981-2001 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
Series 3: Memorabilia, 1944-1962 (8 items)
This series contains a silver communion set made for the dedication of the chapel, the first two hymnals used in the chapel, a white altar cloth and a javelin.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | Item | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memorabilia, 1944-1962 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 1 | ||
| Silver Communion Set, 1952 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 1 | item 2017 | |
| two armed forces hymnals, 1952 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 1 | item 1386 | |
| white altar cloth, 1962 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 1 | item 1757 | |
| Inscribed lance with wooden staff and metal tip, 1944 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 1 | item 1758 | |
| Space Shuttle Challenger Memorial Service cassette recording, 1986 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 1 | item 2383 | |
Related Material
The Archives and Manuscripts Department holds other collections relating to the Memorial Chapel. Related materials can be found within the University Publications collection: UPUB C3, Campus Ministries and UPUB M32, Memorial Chapel as well as the processed and unprocessed portions of the Records of the President's Office.
For more information about the University of Maryland, Memorial Chapelplease visit their website.
For other related archival and manuscript collections, please see the following subject guides.