Mercersburg Academy - Karux Yearbook (Mercersburg, PA)

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i Y. -v--j V --- - -,fvv-iv - I 1 .Qu Wm - -- H 1. c,ll.f ,,- -4-Q fx, .411 A-N . X ', .A kg fir ,ff - Qu- - -' F ,U T C. be .?'I-'- '- S L ' U A Q 55?rY?is V NJ RQ frVy:k4q'7f.fc15' 'XXV , K-A X- if It lp :f X -E ,lj , Th A cl Ch l M e ca emy ape ,H 3111 2 .,..i ml.: 3,3 For a great number of years it has been the sincere hope and aspiration of Dug-ff. and Mrs. Irvine, as well as of the alumni and friends of the Academy, that some day gif! T1 fm' A the school might have a chapel on the campus. Now, in spite of unnumbered de- HMI If lays and other adverse conditions, through the persistent efforts of the Head Mas- w ,S ter and the generosity of friends of Mercersburg, the most beautiful school chapel C: '-s J in America is nearing completion on the crest of the hill on the front campus. G I g Mcrcersburg has long had a great need for such a chapel. This need has be- - come more urgent with each passing school year. The great number of boys in I2 Q . sa fli- ? C9 wa Q ,551 22 at Q Q A J ,py- sk Ili! WRX 1 ff? BREAKING Gnovxn Fon THE CHAPEL, Jrxiz, 1923 A N school makes the assembly hall in Old Main uncomfortably crowded for chapel ser- , X: vices. Originally the building of the additional dormitories, the gymnasium, the infirmaries, and the power-plant permitted little encouragement for the hopes of constructing a chapel. When plans were at last begun, the VVorld War necessitated T145 the putting aside of the chapel project. and before these plans could be taken up again, the erection of the Administration Building caused another necessary delay. In the spring of 1917 preliminary plans for a beautiful chapel, suited to the needfs of Mercersburg, were submitted by Mr. Ralph Adams Cram, the most emi- nent living Gothic architect. After the delay caused by the VVar, the ground was broken for the new chapel, with President and Mrs. Coolidge taking part in that very interesting ceremony. The cellar was dug during the summer and fall of 1923. and the foundations were laid in the spring of 1921-. On June 3, 1924-, the corner-stone was laid. Mrs. Coolidge again participated in these services. The stone itself bears as an inscription, the expression of Dr. Henry Van Dyke, To God in Christ and Youth in America. Two wreaths were 9-In aalaucxigii A , 7,,7. . .yy Y r-x

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4 . var-N . - .. ,e nes, ef 2 if as If - Q .ZX h:y1,fk1?!'?x-HJR: X-ex rg MH li if placed on the stone. One was in honor of the Mecersburg Boys who died in the VVorld VVarg the other was in honor of the six thousand Mercersburg Mothers whose t If ill! boys have been enrolled at Mercersburg. In this way the two great memories to which the chapel is being built and dedicated were honored. :I-Viet Since June, 1924-, the work on the edifice has advanced surely and steadily. At D if this time QMarch, 1926j the exterior of the impressive structure has been com- :Q pleted. The entire structure is built of South Weymoutli granite, trimmed with fig r-v, Indiana limestone. The spire, one hundred sixty feet in height, is a replica of Saint : -. I Mary's spire at Oxford. The general architecture of the chapel is Gothic and is suggestive of the beautiful Gothic church at Nutley, England. The backing of the halls is of Mercersburg blue limestone, and the interior is of Indiana limestone and plaster. The Academy's chapel will be filled with sentiment. The carillon, the organ, the windows, and all of the necessary interior furnishings have been given as beauti- ful memorials. Pnoamsss 0F CHAPEL os JUNE 10, 1925 The carillon is the gift of Henry B. Swoope, '00, and his family. Dr. and Mrs. Irvine spent a great deal of time inlstudying church bells before deciding upon the Carillon, for which the contract has been given to Gillett and Johnston of Croydon, England. The earillon, which is to be installed in the Academy chapel by October 1, 1926, will consist of forty-three bells. This is the second largest carillon in the United States. It is interesting to note that the bells of the carillon will be inscribed with Latin and English quotations, many of them taken from cer- tain old bells in ancient cathedrals and churches in Europe. The organ is the gift of Mr. and Mrs. George A. VVood of Chambersburg. Mr. John A. Bell, a very well-known organ architect of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, drew up the plans and specifications, the contract was given to the Skinner Organ Com- pany of Boston, Massachusetts. The organ, of the four manual type, is of the finest quality in material and workmanship, and is to be installed in the building by August. 1926. It will cost thirty thousand dollars. Page twenty-three 'IQ-IDG! IQARQX-,229 .?, .cgi 3655 xv, ' llp 55 f X. ffl S if Q.. fab, Ax. Q' lf? if QW , . fr J. f'X 1 !a