ESTES CHAPEL: Where It All Began
By Dr. David McKenna
Part III: It all began from Estes Chapel
In a conversation with Frank Bateman Stanger, my predecessor in the presidency at Asbury, he told me he loved to hear students sing the Charles Wesley hymn, “And Can It Be” in Estes Chapel. Within a few short years Dr. Stanger died, and his memorial service in Estes Chapel was crowned with the singing of his favorite hymn. From that moment on, I determined to keep his legacy alive by naming “And Can It Be” the Asbury Anthem and by asking each incoming class of students to learn the hymn by heart so that they would have full freedom to make the rafters ring in praise to God.
Each morning of our retirement, Janet and I sit at our bedroom window overlooking Lake Washington to pray and reflect on the goodness of God in the gift of long life. We are no longer traveling across the country or around the world, but we love to replay the memories of our trips at home and abroad. Our favorite question to ask is, “If you could be transported back to one of your favorite places in the world, where would you choose?”
Our memory stops have included savoring strawberries and cream in Guyere, Switzerland, reliving the Wesleyan Revival at New Room in Bristol, England, peering down on the blue domes of Santorini in the Greek Islands, bowing before Paul’s meeting place in Ephesus on 9/11, hearing a thousand nightingale voices sing “How Great Thou Art” in Seoul, Korea, climbing the steps of The Masada in Israel, and keynoting the World Methodist Council in Nairobi, Kenya. But, after circling the world, Jan and I came home to the memory of Estes Chapel where students, faculty, and staff joined the Chapel Choir and the resounding organ to sing, “Amazing love, how can it be that Thou my God shouldst die for me!” In fact, during the years when I traveled for Asbury Seminary, I frequently met with people who had never been on the campus. After making my formal presentation of facts and figures, I always concluded with this clincher: “If I could waft you from this place to Estes Chapel on the campus when the students are singing ‘And Can It Be,’ you would be an Asburian forever.”
So yes, Jan and I agreed that if we could choose to return to one place in our travels, it would be to make one more stop at Estes Chapel and join in the singing of the Asbury Anthem. As Wesleyans we do not idolize “sacred places,” but we do remember “holy presence.” Estes Chapel is not sacred in itself, but it is certainly a place where Asburians take off their shoes to walk on holy ground.
As a member of the Class of 1971, I cherish my memory of singing the “Asbury Anthem” in Estes Chapel before it was so designated. The hymn has been my favorite ever since, and I’m glad to know that succeeding classes and, perhaps, generations will continue to sing of God’s amazing love as Wesley expressed it in the hymn.
Agree completely with Dr, & Mrs. McKenna, with memories of E, Stanley Jones, Jake DeShazer, and many others in Estes Chapel. Memories to be treasured.
Amen. Worship, and especially song, together with the Asbury community is a life-affirming experience. Thanks to the McKennas, and all glory to God.
Estes Chapel was a special place of decision two times for my wife and me, as we faced agonizing options for the direction of our ministry and calling. These were deeply moving, in the little prayer chapel. And the messages we heard from people of spiritual power and commitment still guide us these many years later.
Estes Chapel will always be a special place to us, for it was there that we became husband and wife! Professor John Tremaine played the organ for our wedding. With his guidance, we chose “And Can It Be” as our recessional…to take our first steps as a couple entering ministry to proclaim God’s Word, and the Good News of that hymn!
It has been our privilege to give funds to Estes Chapel, and we would encourage others in this great endeavor. It is indeed Holy Ground!
During my stay at Asbury from August 2015 to June 2016, I attended almost every service at Estes Chapel. Estes Chapel means a lot to me for God has been speaking through Estes Chapel. I pray I will be back again and stay longer. Praise and thanks be unto God, amen!