Edman Memorial Chapel
Encyclopedia
Edman Memorial Chapel is an auditorium facility on the campus of Wheaton College
in Wheaton, Illinois
. Its primary purpose is as a chapel, though it is also used for numerous concerts and other large events. The auditorium itself seats almost 2400; the facility also includes support space for the auditorium, separate event spaces in its East Wing, and instructional space for the College's music program
. The facility is located at the northeast corner of Washington and Franklin Streets in Wheaton; its tower is visible for miles around.
The first regular morning chapel service was held in the new chapel-auditorium on May 16, 1960. At that time, the entire student body, both undergraduate and graduate, as well as the entire faculty and staff, could be comfortably accommodated in the auditorium, with room to spare for friends and visitors from the community. A month later, at Commencement, the building was named in honor of Wheaton's then-president, Dr. V. Raymond Edman.
The East Wing of the building is used for smaller-scale lectures and some Conservatory functions.
The plaza in front of Edman Chapel is the location of the annual back-to-school square dance.
, which had outgrown its quarters in nearby McAlister Hall and Pierce Chapel. This addition includes a large rehearsal hall for the band and orchestra, named for alumni John Nelson
and his wife, Anita. The addition also included instructional space for harp, percussion, and string bass.
Wheaton College (Illinois)
Wheaton College is a private, evangelical Protestant liberal arts college in Wheaton, Illinois, a suburb west of Chicago in the United States...
in Wheaton, Illinois
Wheaton, Illinois
Wheaton is an affluent community located in DuPage County, Illinois, approximately west of Chicago and Lake Michigan. Wheaton is the county seat of DuPage County...
. Its primary purpose is as a chapel, though it is also used for numerous concerts and other large events. The auditorium itself seats almost 2400; the facility also includes support space for the auditorium, separate event spaces in its East Wing, and instructional space for the College's music program
Wheaton College Conservatory of Music
The Conservatory of Music at Wheaton College is a music conservatory located in Wheaton, Illinois. It is both a department and professional school of Wheaton College. It currently has 21 full-time faculty members and approximately 200 undergraduate music majors, and is fully accredited by the...
. The facility is located at the northeast corner of Washington and Franklin Streets in Wheaton; its tower is visible for miles around.
History
The chapel was part of Wheaton College's expansion program for its centennial year of 1960. At the time, the College had two spaces for large audiences, but neither could accommodate the audiences for many all-campus events. After two rejected proposals, the plans for a new chapel-auditorium drawn by the firm of J. Emil Anderson and Son were finally chosen in the summer of 1959. Ground was broken at Commencement 1959.The first regular morning chapel service was held in the new chapel-auditorium on May 16, 1960. At that time, the entire student body, both undergraduate and graduate, as well as the entire faculty and staff, could be comfortably accommodated in the auditorium, with room to spare for friends and visitors from the community. A month later, at Commencement, the building was named in honor of Wheaton's then-president, Dr. V. Raymond Edman.
Organ
In 2001, a four-manual, 50-stop, 70-rank Casavant Tracker Pipe Organ was installed. The instrument is the largest of its type in the area.Usage
During the fall and spring semesters, the auditorium is the location of regular undergraduate chapel, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning at 10:35. The auditorium is also used for major Conservatory concerts and the Artist Series at Wheaton College, a series of professional performing artists. Commencement exercises, major lectures, and many other special large events are held in the auditorium as well.The East Wing of the building is used for smaller-scale lectures and some Conservatory functions.
The plaza in front of Edman Chapel is the location of the annual back-to-school square dance.
2009 renovation
As part of the 2005-2010 Promise of Wheaton Campaign, an addition was constructed at the back of Edman Chapel to provide instructional space for the Wheaton College Conservatory of MusicWheaton College Conservatory of Music
The Conservatory of Music at Wheaton College is a music conservatory located in Wheaton, Illinois. It is both a department and professional school of Wheaton College. It currently has 21 full-time faculty members and approximately 200 undergraduate music majors, and is fully accredited by the...
, which had outgrown its quarters in nearby McAlister Hall and Pierce Chapel. This addition includes a large rehearsal hall for the band and orchestra, named for alumni John Nelson
John Nelson
John Nelson may refer to:*John Nelson , Australian political figure*John Nelson , US baseball player...
and his wife, Anita. The addition also included instructional space for harp, percussion, and string bass.
See also
- Wheaton College (Illinois)Wheaton College (Illinois)Wheaton College is a private, evangelical Protestant liberal arts college in Wheaton, Illinois, a suburb west of Chicago in the United States...
- Wheaton College Conservatory of MusicWheaton College Conservatory of MusicThe Conservatory of Music at Wheaton College is a music conservatory located in Wheaton, Illinois. It is both a department and professional school of Wheaton College. It currently has 21 full-time faculty members and approximately 200 undergraduate music majors, and is fully accredited by the...
- Wheaton College Men's Glee ClubWheaton College Men's Glee ClubThe Wheaton College Men's Glee Club is an all-male glee club , at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois currently conducted by Dr. Mary Hopper....