Rollins Chapel Renovation Will Begin This Summer

THE first stage of a full renovation of Rollins Chapel will be undertaken this summer. The plan calls for reorienting the chapel toward the east (the seats now face west), creating a chancel in the curved apse, repainting the interior, and screening off the side chapels now used for daily chapel and for Jewish services.

Later renovation will involve a new slab floor, the recreation of the entrance vestibule, installation of pew seating, and refurnishing of the side chapels.

The Rev. Richard P. Unsworth, Dean of the Tucker Foundation, has announced that four memorial opportunities are now available in Rollins Chapel. These include new hymnals ($1750) and a new pulpit, lectern, and communion table (each under $1500). The hymnal selected for use in Rollins is the new Harvard University Hymn Book. It will be bound in hunter green, with the Dartmouth seal and memorial wording imprinted on the cover. The pulpit, lectern, and table will be designed by the architectural firm of Sherwood, Mills and Smith. Willis Mills is in charge of the renovation project.

The summer work in Rollins Chapel will be finished in time for the inauguration of regular Dartmouth College services every Sunday of the college year, beginning in September. This new chapel program will replace the occasional Union Services of recent years. Dean Unsworth will share the preaching responsibilities with the Rev. George Kalbfleisch, Director of Undergraduate Religious life; and student leaders, faculty and officers of the College will also share in the service regularly.

Dean Seymour speaking at one of the panel discussions during reunion week.