Valparaiso University
November 20, 2009

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The Chapel of the Resurrection, at Valparaiso University in Northwest Indiana, was designed by Charles Stade and Associates, of Park Ridge, Illinois. It was built 1956-1959 at a cost of approximately $7.5 million, mostly from private donations, and was dedicated in 1959 as Memorial Chapel. In 1969 it was officially designated Chapel of the Resurrection. It is the largest collegiate chapel in the United States, with capacity for approximately 2,000 people depending upon seating configuration.

I remember reading about this structure when it was new and I had often seen it from U.S. Highway 30 en route to Chicago, but I had never taken time to stop and experience it in person. I'm glad I made this trip especially to see it; I think it's stunning. The chancel is 98 feet (30 meters) high, with the apse in the shape of a nine-pointed star. The original design doesn't appear to have been altered, and the building seems to be impeccably maintained.

The newly-completed Christopher Center for Library and Information Services was designed by Esherick Homsey Dodge & Davis of Chicago. It is part of a $33 million project paid for by gifts from alumni and friends. The grid structure on the south and east sides adds visual interest and provides a sun screen.

The building comprises 105,000 square feet of space and includes state-of-the-art building technology, including automated sun screens and many wi-fi hot spots in addition to hard-wired data access ports. Two hundred fifty computers are available for student use, and an automated storage and retrieval system can access any of the 60,000 infrequently-used documents and publications within fifteen seconds.

I had hoped to photograph more of the campus and then go into the city, but the intense and strongly-directional late-afternoon light limited my opportunities. Now, I have an excuse to go back.

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