Kenyon College's Chapel

Kenyon College was first at Worthington, the seat of the first Episcopal bishop of Ohio. In 1828 both were moved to Gambier. Harcourt Parish began in 1829. Englishman Gordon W. Lloyd was the architect. The cornerstone of Church/Chapel of the Holy Spirit was laid in 1869, construction was complete in 1871. There is a combined, and slightly confusing history of college chapel, and parish. The building has always been property of the college. Sometimes the rector, and the chaplain were the same person. There also was a military academy, and a school for girls. In 1875 an additional Southern Diocese of Ohio was created in Cincinnati, and the Ohio Diocese moved from Gambier to Cleveland. In the 19th century Kenyon was low church. The Southern diocese was more high church. In 1959 students were no longer required to attend services.

The campus is credited to have started collegiate gothic architectural style in the US. The church is part of it. Stained-glass windows are beautiful, and look to be of three studios. A twin window with a top rondel group is by Charles J. Connick 1945†, who also made the stained-glass in Peirce Hall.

 

Holy Spirit* descending on the apostles at Pentecost. (one of the five windows behind the table)

Moses with Commandments (one of those five windows)

Jesus as the Good Samaritan (in Luke x) [foto JZ] (one of three parable windows)

Parable of the Ten Virgins (in Matthew xxv) [foto JZ]

One of the scenes of the church's Connick windows.

narrow door [foto JZ]

Peirce Hall has a tower for Philander Chase (bishop and founder). It has a triple window 1929, each with three scenes. When Chase came to Ohio, Ohio was the western wilderness. In the dining hall of Peirce, there are many scenes from English and American literature.

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*Holy Spirit is depicted by tongues of fire, Ohio farm children may see that as corn on the cob