Kent has been considering renovating the chapel since five years ago when Mr. Hirschfeld came to Kent. In 1991, when Kent became a co-ed school, the school didn’t consider how the chapel would accommodate the entire student body. “The chapel is the physical and spiritual heart of the school, and I was startled that the whole school couldn’t fit in the chapel,” Mr. Hirschfeld said. “I want every student to have a place there.”
From a worship perspective, Dean Kelderman noticed that every week, a quarter of the community is missing. As a result, one of the main purposes of this renovation was to build and strengthen the Kent community. Sharing the experience of hearing the same person speaking in chapel provides topics for community conversations between different academic classes. Mr. Hirschfeld said: “Having an all-school meeting is important, and I believe chapel is a good space for such activities.” Besides, Mr. Cataldo also shared that the chapel is approaching 100 years old, and it is time to improve the building and address some mechanical concerns and structural issues.
Although the chapel will be renovated, Kent wants to maintain the historical look of the chapel. “That chapel is iconic, and it means a lot to many students and alumni,” Mr. Cataldo said. After discussion, the plan is to create a south aisle to increase seats and then rearrange the chapel. “The chapel was built in 1929 during the Great Depression, and they only built one aisle. It feels asymmetrical and unfinished,” explained Dean Kelderman. “Therefore, this project is to finish the chapel.”
Dean Kelderman also considered many potential problems with musical instruments and the sacristy. The final decision is to move the organ and the choir to the front of the chapel. “The organ pipes will be redesigned and rebuilt with speakers to enhance the volume,” Mr. Cataldo said. Moreover, there might be assigned seats in the new chapel according to Mr. Hirschfeld. “I want everyone to feel they belong here. Maybe when a student comes back after graduating for years, he or she would still make some connection with their special chapel seat.”
The renovation plan and blueprint are finished, so the project will start once the funds are raised. Both Mr. Hirschfeld and Dean Kelderman believe that the biggest challenge in the renovation process will be fundraising, which will need about 15 to 18 million dollars. Mr. Cataldo estimated that the process will roughly begin in the next couple of years and will last for two summers; in spite of the work, the chapel will always be operating during the school year.
Mr. Hirschfeld shared: “When alumni reflect on their education at Kent, I want them to miss spending time as a whole community in the chapel.” This project involves many different groups, and each of them has a particular lens and makes a beautiful full picture together.
