College Chapel (Old)

Date

1854-1903

Location

Tappan Square, facing west (burned down)

Architects/Collaborators

Builder unknown

Style

Greek Revival

History

The College Chapel was begun in 1854 and was completed in 1855. It was located on the campus south of Tappan Hall. It was built of brick, two stories in height, with dimensions 56 by 90 feet. As originally planned, the first floor contained offices of administration, a library room, three lecture rooms for the Theological department, and a room for the men’s literary societies. The worship area occupied the entire second floor, with the platform at the east end. Its seating capacity was 900. The College Chapel was remodelled in 1876 by the removal of the gallery and by placing the platform at the center of the south side, the seats being arranged in semi-circles, with an added entrance on the west side. The east stairs were used by men, and the west by women. Extensive changes were made in 1883, a projection on the south side was added, providing an alcove for a new organ, and broad stairs on either side were built leading directly into the audience room. A tower was built over the addition for the organ, and in the tower were placed a large clock and a two thousand pound bell. Again in 1887, the Chapel room was remodelled by the addition of galleries, increasing the seating capacity by two hundred seats, and somewhat later the galleries were again enlarged, providing one hundred additional seats. At this time the total seating capacity was 1200. For many years, after the erection of Peters Hall and the removal of the recitation rooms from the first floor of the Chapel building, the College YMCA held its weekly meetings there. The Chapel was destroyed by fire January 25, 1903.

Source

Oberlin College Archives, Office of the Secretary Records.