By Brittany Kelley
Staff Writer
The view of the Pacific is pretty amazing from Pepperdine’s cafeteria, but as of Feb. 20, it has some competition when it comes to Pepperdine’s “must-see” attractions.
Several dramatic improvements have transformed Pepperdine’s Stauffer Chapel into one of the campus’ most beautiful landmarks.
Thanks to donations from Facilities Management and Planning, Information Technology, Creative Services, Public Affairs, Fine Arts and faculty members, the “little chapel on the hill” recently underwent necessary repairs, as well as detailed enhancement, and has reopened.
“The project started out as a repair project, and it evolved into a restoration and upgrade project,” campus architect Chris Portway said.
Water damage and the deterioration of the finishes and stained glass caused the chapel to need more than a few improvements.
The team who coordinated planning and reconstruction was able to go beyond their minimum goals and also enhance the chapel acoustically and aesthetically.
“We set out to make necessary repairs, but with the administration’s blessing, we’ve gone as far as time and budget permitted and improved the chapel for a capella singing and church services,” Portway said.
A new state-of-the-art sound system, with network connectivity, was installed to magnify presentation options. A new organ has also been installed to enliven weddings and worship. The ceiling pews, and all other interior wood surfaces have been refinished; and new slate flooring has been installed.
The chapel’s new lighting system not only reduces energy consumption by 50 percent, but simultaneously brightens up the chapel and shows the true magnificence of the stained glass windows.
“The stained glass windows are a work of art that over time have deteriorated,” Portway said. “We were able to have a lot of them restored, but not 100 percent.They have definitely been cleaned up and all broken glass has been replaced. There are still some panels that we want to work on as time and budget permits, but they have been, for the most part, restored.”
The energy saved by the new lighting system is fueling the new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, which was also installed.
Improvements were made to the chapel’s exterior as well. New landscaping and paving now lead to the chapel’s promontory. More improvements are being planned for the future, such as new entry doors, a new roof and outdoor lighting. Portway said these projects will take place sometime in the future, as soon as time and budget permits.
A formal open house for the chapel is scheduled to take place in March.
“We’ve accomplished more than we set out to do, and that was the beauty of this project,” Portway said.
Submitted February 26, 2004
