Chapel Prayer Walk Through Asbury Seminary

Prayer is embedded in the very DNA of Asbury Theological Seminary, evidenced by dedicated prayer spaces located in every public building. These chapels are public spaces, whispering “Welcome” to persons rushing by, inviting them to pause and meet with God. Life in the Asbury Seminary community winds its way in and out of these prayer chapels throughout the course of any ordinary day. We encourage you to use this Chapel Prayer Walk as a personal experience of prayer and pause. Enter into the welcoming Presence of the Holy Spirit who awaits you.

Awaken to the presence of God on a prayer walk through Asbury Seminary’s sacred chapel spaces.

 1. Estes Chapel

Construction of Estes began in 1952 after Asbury received a large gift from the Estes family. Estes Chapel is the central place of worship at Asbury Seminary. Chapel services, convocations, healing prayer events, and seasonal services are held regularly. Estes is also a popular wedding location with its long center aisle. Walk up the aisle and kneel at the altar and experience a moment of prayer in this holy space.

 Exit the chapel by the side door on the right, and take the immediate left down the hall adjacent to Estes.

2. Haskins-Luce Prayer Chapel

Located immediately beside Estes, down the long adjacent hall, the Luce Chapel is reminiscent of gospel churches across America. Before every public service in Estes, a prayer meeting is held in Luce. Small covenant services and spiritual conversations also find a welcome in Luce Chapel. Sit for a few minutes and let your mind remember an old hymn or a memory of a time when God met you in an old church.

 Go back towards the door of Estes that you last exited towards this chapel, turn left, and continue most of the way down the hall to the elevator. Take the elevator to the Ground floor. Turn right out of the elevator, and the prayer closet will be on your left behind the accordion door.

 3. Giorgianni Prayer Closet

In contrast to Estes, the prayer closet is an intensely personal prayer chapel, usually used for solitude and personal prayer. Step inside and close the door to experience the deep sense of peace in this space.

Turn left out of the prayer closet and exit through the double doors to your left. Cross the green diagonally to the left, and enter the Sherman Thomas Student Center. Go straight through the lobby towards the glass doors at the back of the building. The Stanger Prayer Chapel will be on the right side opposite the water fountain.

4. Stanger Prayer Chapel

Across from the gymnasium and fitness loft, another quiet space awaits a visitor. Most often used as a healing prayer chapel, the art on the walls represents the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Designed for a small group engaged in prayer, Stanger Prayer Chapel has been host to deep soul moments. Pause to meditation the art and consider the gifts of the Holy Spirit in your own life.

 Exit out the glass doors towards the parking lot. Descend to the sidewalk, and turn towards the left. Enter the Beeson building to the left, and take the first left just beyond the door. On your right is Richard Allen Chapel.

5. Richard Allen Chapel

Located on the first floor of the Beeson building, this place is highly liturgical and represents a distinct stream of spiritual practice. The Richard Allen Chapel is a beautifully crafted space that serves many worship gatherings. Stand in the middle of the room and speak a few words to hear the excellent acoustic structure of the ceiling.

 Exit out of Richard Allen Chapel, and take the elevator to the second floor. Turn left, and follow the perimeter path around until you are on the opposite side of the building. Continue around passed the administrative office, and the Kalas Preaching Chapel will be on your left.

6. Kalas Preaching Chapel

Kalas Preaching Chapel is well named for a beloved professor who has mentored many students in the art of Biblical preaching. The space is ideal as a laboratory for preaching experience.

 Depart Beeson through the double doors towards the cul-de-sac in front of Asbury Inn & Suites. On your left will be McKenna Chapel. Enter through the front doors and wind around the hall to the chapel.

7. McKenna Chapel

McKenna is a large chapel that houses a magnificent pipe organ. McKenna is often used for teaching or drama events because of the stadium seating and stage lighting. During the 40 days of Lent the community often vacates Estes Chapel and gathers in McKenna to mark the days of the passion of Christ.

 Exit McKenna Chapel toward the cul-de-sac. On the left hand side is the J.C. McPheeters Center for Leadership. Walk through the main doors, and the Shabbat Shalom prayer room will be halfway down the hall on the right.

 8. Shabbot Shalom

Sabbath peace is the goal of this quiet prayer room located on the main floor of JC McPheeters across from the Asbury Inn. Pause for a few minutes of deep quiet in this space to restore your inner peace.

 Just beyond Shabbat Shalom is Fletcher Chapel, behind the double doors.

 9. Fletcher Chapel

Fletcher Chapel is uniquely designed for the celebration of Eucharist. Take note of the table in the middle of the room. The room serves best as a sacred space for a communal practice of feasting at the Lord’s table and a worshipful space for prayer.

 The prayer garden is adjacent to Fletcher Chapel and can be accessed through Fletcher or from the outside of the building.

10. Prayer Garden

Outside the Fletcher Chapel is a small prayer garden built in memory of Lanny Carroll Spears II (late son of staff member Lanny Spears). Notice the small labyrinth painted on the ground. If you are unfamiliar with the labyrinth as a spiritual symbol, read the short explanation of the labyrinth on the door leading out to the garden.