By Kendrick Jackson, Advertising Manager
The Interfaith Chapel is an integral part of the West Liberty University community, and will be celebrating 50 years this December. Faculty and students came together last Wednesday, Nov. 29, to commemorate the rich history of the Interfaith Chapel.
The Chapel held an open house yesterday, Wednesday, Nov. 29 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors enjoyed a musical performance from the WLU Singers and a presentation about the history of the chapel. The presentation was presented by Dr. David T. Javersak, a 1967 WLU graduate.
1967 is also the year the Interfaith Chapel was completed and first opened its doors to the WLU community. All costs totaled to approximately $420,000, which was funded by private donations. The Chapel features a 175-seat worship center, six offices, and a social gathering room upstairs.
The Interfaith Chapel is home to the WLU Fusion Campus Ministry. Rev. Debra Dague has served as pastor of the Campus Ministry and a course instructor on-campus since 2007. Dague also serves as pastor at West Liberty Federated Church (WLFC), located adjacent to campus.
Combined worship is every Sunday at 11 a.m. at WLFC, as well as Nextus Bible Study which is held every Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. at WLFC.
The WLU Fusion Campus Ministry has also partnered up with Hope United Methodist Church in Wheeling for their food pantry service. Participants drive down to Hope UMC every first Wednesday of the month at 3:30 p.m.There is also a Catholic Campus Ministry led by Director Shirley Carter. Sunday Mass is held during the evenings at 8 p.m. at the St. Thomas Aquinas Center, located across the street from campus. The campus is open to all in the community.
The Interfaith Chapel has inspired faculty and students to start their own clubs and organizations and expand on campus. There are many religious clubs and organizations on campus, including Kappa Phi, a club for Christian university women.
Kappa Phi initiated new members last Monday, Nov. 20, and hosted a Thanksgiving dinner at West Liberty Christian Church the following day. Kappa Phi also hosted a Pink Party this semester in the College Union to help fundraise for Wheeling Hospital Breast Cancer Patient Fund.
Thank you for celebrating the 50-year mark of the Interfaith Chapel with us. Remember that the free home-cooked lunches will resume next semester. These lunches are held every Wednesday 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Interfaith Chapel.
