History of the Chapel

Architect for the chapel was Charles Edward Stade and Associates of Park Ridge, Illinois. Professor Jean Labatut of Princeton University was planning consultant; the Rev. Dr. A.R. Kretzmann of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Saint Luke, Chicago, liturgical consultant; and Professor Kenneth F. Mortimer of Valparaiso University, building consultant. Stade was the architect of several other buildings on the Valparaiso campus, including O.P. Kretzmann Hall, Meier Hall, Gellerson Center, Neils Science Center, Dickmeyer Hall, the President’s home (Linwood House) and the now-demolished Moellering Library.

Other designers were involved in special elements such as the stained glass windows and the baptistery. Construction costs totaled $7.5 million.

It has been said that inspiration for the design of the building was provided in part by the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. This plan has the chancel as the most significant part of the structure with the nave attached to it rather than the two areas being viewed only as a single building. The nave is 58 feet high and 193 feet long. There is seating for approximately 2,000 people, although capacity varies depending upon the configuration of the seats.

The chapel was first used for the Opening Convocation of the University September 14, 1958, one year before the chapel was dedicated. President O.P. Kretzmann presided at the convocation, and Professor Herbert Umbach, Professor of English – the faculty member with the longest tenure at the University – gave the opening prayer. At that time, photographs show that the stained glass windows in the chancel, the altar, the pulpit, the lectern, the communion rails, and the rails on either side of the chancel steps had not yet been installed. 

The dedication of Gloria Christi Chapel (the chapel located in the east undercroft area — the lower level of the east end of the building) took place Sunday morning, September 27, 1959, the morning of the day the main chapel was dedicated. This chapel has also been known as the “Guild Chapel,” since the Valparaiso University Guild gave a substantial contribution toward its building. It is dedicated to the place where the glory of God was made manifest in Christ’s birth. This smaller chapel is the size of the chancel directly above it.

The dedication of the cornerstone of the chapel took place October 2, 1960. Rev. Dr. O. P. Kretzmann, President of the University, was the officiant. The cornerstone mosaic is based on the Letter to the Ephesians, chapter two, verse twenty: “Jesus Christ himself as the cornerstone.” Here the Church is depicted in various symbols. In the lower part of the mosaic is an angel pictured as a reaper, gathering the faithful into the heavenly garners. Farther up, the people of God are represented as fish in the net, then as sheep in God’s pasture, and finally as the good fruit of Christ, the Vine, whose branches we are. At the top is a messenger angel bringing the good news.

Sunday, Feb. 5, 1961 at 10:30 a.m., the center window — more than two years in the making — was dedicated. It depicts “the dawning of the New Day in Christ our Lord.” The window to its left will symbolize the work of God the Father, while the window to its right will be based on the work of God the Holy Spirit. The installation of this center window was made possible by a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Alfred C. Munderloh, of Detroit. Rev. Dr. O. P. Kretzmann, President of the University and Dean of the Chapel, was the preacher for the service.

The Christus Rex is a central feature of the altar area. (Photo by Jon L. Hendricks)

Dedication of the altar and Munderloh Windows took place at the Chapel on January 10, 1965.

The chancel of the Chapel of the Resurrection is 98 feet high and is circular in shape with a roof shaped like a nine-point star. It features the altar, Christus Rex and the Munderloh Windows. The twenty-one-foot-long free-standing altar is of black Italian marble, setting off symbols of the four Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). The altar was designed by the Peter Dohmen Studios of St. Paul, Minn.

The Christus Rex figure is affixed to the large cross which stands several feet behind the altar. The cross is twenty-one feet high, exactly the same height as the altar is in length. The Christus Rex is a “combination symbol” of both the crucifixion and the resurrection. The crowned figure, with head thrown back and arms uplifted, radiates the glory of a triumphant King who has conquered all forces – past, present, and future – which enslaved his people. His heavenward face and priestly vestments also reassert the intermediary role he fulfills between God and mortals. This figure was designed by David Elder, formerly of the Department of Art of Valparaiso University.

Forming the background for the altar are three stained glass windows (the Munderloh Windows) representing (from the left to right) the creative work of God the Father, the redemptive work of God the Son, and the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying gifts. The significance of these windows is to keep before the eyes of the worshipers, in public and in private devotions, the work of the Holy Trinity for the salvation of all people.These windows were designed by the Peter Dohmen Studios of St. Paul, Minn., in consultation with the Rev. A.R. Kretzmann, liturgical consultant for the Chapel’s construction.

The LeBien Baptistry features a 17-foot sculpture, hanging over the baptismal font.

Beyond the baptismal font, the undercroft area includes a display about the history of the Chapel’s construction and other Chapel history.

We are accepting reservations for weddings at the Chapel. Reservations are now being handled by the Harre Union. Refer to the Scheduling a Wedding page for more details.

For those interested in being baptized or having their children baptized at the Chapel, the policy and application form can now also be found here. If you have questions or concerns, please contact one of our pastors.