While students on campus are finally returning to traditional campus life, one important part of campus has not yet returned to normal. Since Apr. 2021, renovations to the Hamilton College Chapel have been underway, set to be done in late Fall 2021. In early Apr., Director of Building Systems Management William J. Huggins noticed rotting wood on the exterior of the Chapel and went all the way up the steeple to closely investigate. Hamilton College employed Mesick Cohen Wilson Baker Architects to assess the state of the steeple, and from there renovations began. These renovations include a steeple restoration, a new slate roof for the Chapel, repair to the masonry tower, clock and bell, and refurbishment to the dome and quill. The colors of the top of the chapel will also be different upon renovations.
The most efficient approach to renovationing the steeple was to remove the steeple from the top of the Chapel and work on it on the ground. In order to get this done, workers implemented scaffolding around the tower that supported the steeple. By May 12, 2021, Allegrone Companies had meticulously removed the steeple from the top with a crane and transported it down 35 feet to the ground. Work on the steeple commenced on the ground until early Sept., when the steeple finally returned to the top of the Chapel. Despite the large construction site still present, the return of the steeple to the top of the Chapel provides a glimpse of normality.
Prior to this year’s renovations, the Chapel has undergone three major renovations since its opening in 1827. The first occurred in 1867 when benches and a furnace were installed. Next, the classrooms were removed in 1897 so that the nave could be open for meetings. Finally, from 1948–1949, the interior was redesigned to resemble a traditional New England Chapel and to honor Hamilton alumni who fought and died in wars. As of today, there is a plaque inscribed with the names of 96 alumni who were victims of the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Vietnam War and the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. While these were major renovations in themselves, the current renovations are much more extensive and costly.
In total, this round of renovations costs 3.1 million dollars. The College dedicated this amount of money to the Chapel due to its rich history and symbolic significance. The Chapel’s original construction was completed in 1827 and was one of the first buildings constructed on campus. Furthermore, it is on the National Register of Historic Places because it is an extremely rare, three-story church. The Chapel is likely the last remaining three-story church of its era in the United States. In 2002, the quilled cupola became a part of the College’s logo.
In addition to its historic and emblematic prominence, the Chapel is an integral part of campus members’ lives. Students utilize the Chapel for meetings, studying, and hanging out with friends. Jacob Piazza ’24 says, “the Chapel was a very important part of my first semester and beginning of second semester until construction started.” In particular, he enjoys “the 3rd floor private study room as a quiet and empty space to study and the common area to talk to friends on the phone.” Furthermore, Piazza finds the Chapel to be a “building of unique character” and a “very welcoming place.”
Piazza, along with many other students, love seeing Chaplain Jeffery McArn when he visits. Piazza says, “Chaplain McArn is very welcoming and I get to see his dog, Lily.” Like the rest of campus, Piazza is “very excited for the Chapel to open again sometime soon.” Soon, the glorious new steeple will be showcased for everyone to view, and campus members will once again be able to reacquaint themselves with the beautiful space for the first time in eight months.
