More than 60 years after its construction in 1954, Estes Chapel celebrates its completed renovation on Tuesday, May 8 with a rededication ceremony at 11 a.m. The service will be live-streamed via newly installed technology, and a celebration luncheon will follow in the Stevens Pike Dining Room.

“Estes Chapel is the heartbeat of Asbury’s spiritual life,” Rev. Jessica LaGrone, Dean of Chapel and 2002 M.Div. graduate, said.

During the renovations, contractors installed a new roof, energy-efficient windows and lighting, new paint and carpet. They also refurbished the furniture and modified the chancel area. In addition, state-of-the art equipment has been installed to allow for live streaming of chapel services around the world. The pew racks hold new, ecumenical hymnals that better reflect the many denominations and traditions that attend Asbury Seminary.

The Chapel is in use nearly every day, with regular chapel services and special events such as presidential inaugurations, fall academic opening convocations, faculty installations, staff commissioning services, and the annual Christmas candle-lighting service of music and worship.

Chapel services integrate classroom lessons with transformative worship. Guest speakers, faculty members and students share Biblically rich messages from the pulpit, bringing new life into the worshipping, global community. Estes Chapel is both a classroom and a laboratory as students preach and lead worship here. The beauty of this chapel puts it in great demand for weddings, funerals and memorial services.

We invite you to rejoice with us in this rededication day, in which we once again take up our worship in Estes Chapel in “the beauty of holiness” (Psalm 29:2).