Buies Creek–Campbell’s long-held dream of a university chapel drew one step closer to reality as President Jerry Wallace and university board members broke ground on a $7.8 million chapel on Wednesday, Mar. 12.Over 120 years have passed since Campbell University was founded by Dr. James Archibald Campbell. This will be the first visible chapel building for the university.”Today we break ground and formally begin construction on the Robert H. and Anna Gardner Butler Chapel,” Wallace said. “As we do so, we fulfill the Butlers’ dream of a beautiful, visible and inspiring place of worship.” The late Robert and Anna Butler began the chapel fundraising initiative in 1994 with a $2.5 million contribution. Since that time, the chapel capital campaign has raised over $5 million. Anna Butler was a 1940 Campbell College graduate.Student Body President Christopher Haigler said students are elated over the chapel, which will be an icon that represents the core convictions of the university.According to Trustee Chairman Harold Wells, no plan for a university construction project has garnered as much immediate excitement and support as the chapel plan. “The influence of this chapel will literally be felt around the world,” he said.Locating the chapel on the Academic Circle was the right decision, said Billy Woodard, chairman of the Presidential Board of Advisors.”The chapel’s presence will amplify the university’s firm conviction that no conflict exists between faith and reason,” Woodard said.Capital Campaign Committee chair Edwin Coates thanked the members of the campaign cabinet for helping to express the dreams of so many people–students, alumni, faculty, administration and friends of the University.The Butler Chapel is expected to be completed in fall 2009 and will serve the needs of the entire student body as well as the educational needs of the Divinity School. The 450-seat sanctuary will provide a place for worship, prayer and special community events. Featured in the chapel’s traditional design are a bell tower, prayer room, stained glass windows and a reflecting pool. A pipe organ will be integrated into the interior wood details of the sanctuary.hoto Copy: Campbell broke ground on a university chapel on Wednesday, March 12. From left, Trustee Chairman Harold Wells, President Jerry M. Wallace and Billy Woodard, chairman of the Presidential Board of Advisors. (Photo by Bennett Scarborough)
Campbell breaks ground on first campus chapel