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Prayer Chapel Dedication
HOUGHTON, N.Y. – For several years, members of the Houghton student body have been passionate about re-creating a prayer chapel on campus. During Homecoming 2009, what started as a dream became a reality. With the help of alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends of the college, a prayer chapel has been created in the basement of Wesley Chapel. The collaboration of various contingencies of the Houghton community has yielded a place where individuals and groups can nurture relationships and community through prayer and meditation.
In 1959, a prayer chapel was dedicated by the class of 1956 in memory of classmate Marjorie Paine, the daughter of former college president Stephen Paine. At the age of 18, Marjorie was diagnosed with polio, and passed away before she could graduate with her class. It is in her honor and prayerful spirit that her classmates recognized her struggle and faithfulness and created the Marjorie Paine Prayer Chapel. Later on, the classes of 1957 and 1962 contributed towards the furnishings of the chapel. The new prayer chapel, relocated to replace the flood-damaged gift from the class of 1956, will continue to carry the name of Marjorie Paine.
While students inspired the project, private donors and alumni also participated in creating the space. The class of 1956 and individual donors contributed funds, and the class of 2009 specifically purchased the podium and communion table. The Student Government Association, including the classes of 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, donated a portion of their student funding to this project. Art professor Jillian Sokso has collected ten pieces of artwork from alumni that each depicts one station of the cross, and one station was specifically designed by the college art faculty. Other furniture was made by students from last year’s furniture making course.
The prayer chapel is located under the Wesley Chapel steps. It is a gathering spot for students to pray and mediate. There is also a dividing wall so the space can be used by two groups. The commitment that Houghton students and alumni have to solid prayer and genuine community with one another is evidenced in this collaboration.
The prayer chapel was dedicated over Homecoming Weekend, on Saturday, October 3, 2009 at 11 a.m. The program included remarks by John Brittain, dean of the chapel, Zachary Adams, Student Government Association president, and Shirley Mullen, college president.
