Warren County Iowa Genealogical Society

 

 

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    Indianola Smith Memorial Chapel

    Indianola Smith Memorial Chapel, 409 N. Buxton St. (at Simpson College), Indianola, IA. 50125

    Brief history of the Smith Memorial Chapel at Simpson College is found and copied from the Simpson College Website http://simpson.edu/smith-chapel/

    The campus community and visitors, alike, are invited into the sacred space of Smith Memorial Chapel. Standing on the main quadrangle, the chapel offers a visual and symbolic reminder of the centrality of religion and spiritual experience to the human condition. The unique history of the chapel and the variety of activities which emanate from the building support the mission of Simpson College as a church related institute of higher education that nurtures those values which foster personal worth and individuality within a creative, diverse and just community. Smith Memorial Chapel houses the main sanctuary chapel, the small chapel, Chaplains’ offices, a lounge and coffee shop, classrooms, meeting space and the Music Department’s Listening Library.

    This building, dedicated in October 1968, is the focal point of religious activities at Simpson. It was named in memory of Mrs. Annie Catherine SMITH and Henry Gardner SMITH. The chapel contains a mobile pipe organ, one of seven in the world, that can be played through the carillon in the bell tower and provide music for the entire campus. Smith Chapel is used for campus worship, Madrigal Choir concerts and Honors Convocation among other events. Dirlam Lounge, with a cozy fireplace and couches, is used for small-group discussions and meetings. It also houses Holy Grounds, the campus coffee shop. Smith Chapel is also equipped with several classrooms and a music listening lab on the lower level.