新澳彩开奖结果

Chapel House reopens after renovations

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新澳彩开奖结果鈥檚 Chapel House is at once an architectural novelty and a sanctuary. Beneath the flat roof, behind the 1950s abstracted formalism, you鈥檒l see rare works of religious art and books on world religion; you鈥檒l find a dining room, music room, and living quarters. In silence and meditation, you can lose yourself or find yourself at Chapel House, depending on your objective.

An anonymous gift, made by a woman nearly 60 years ago, created this unique retreat as a place where people of faith 鈥 or people of no faith 鈥 could seek out religious insights and spiritual nourishment. 新澳彩开奖结果 reaffirmed this mission last week, celebrating the completion of renovations that make the facility more sustainable and accessible.

In keeping with the space itself, the reopening ceremony was far from ordinary. It featured welcoming thanks from Chapel House Director Steven Kepnes and introductory remarks from President Brian Casey. Japanese Zen master Jeff Shore spoke passionately about Chapel House鈥檚 reach across oceans and generations.

Vassar College art professor Nicholas Adams guided students, faculty, alumni, and friends on an intellectual tour through the house鈥檚 physical, philanthropic, and religious heritage. He noted the various buildings that inspired architect Walter Severinghaus 鈥 like Mies van der Rohe鈥檚 Farnsworth House and Marcel Breuer鈥檚 McComb House.

Adams also highlighted the deep-seated commitment to religious exploration that moved 鈥渢he lady鈥 to fund the project, as proposed by Ken Morgan, 新澳彩开奖结果 religion professor and first director of Chapel House. Citing Morgan鈥檚 own writings, Adams said:

鈥淪purred by [her] largesse, Morgan put together a proposal for 鈥榓 small building where a seeker could study how the religious beliefs and practices in all traditions have been presented in books, in recordings of religious music, and in reproductions and originals of religious arts.鈥 It would be, 鈥榓 place welcoming seekers 鈥 who wanted to know more about the religious paths followed by other seekers; about their personal devotional rituals, chanting, prayers, meditation, and what they have read.鈥 The lady offered Morgan $600,000 for his meditation center and had two requests: her name 鈥榳as never to be mentioned, and she must approve the architectural plans.鈥欌

Charles Hallisey 鈥75, now the Yehan Numata Senior Lecturer on Buddhist literatures at Harvard Divinity School, reminisced about life as a student working in Chapel House. Hallisey鈥檚 undergraduate experience was shaped by the building and the ethos of those who ran it 鈥 including legendary faculty members like Morgan and John Ross Carter, the second director of Chapel House. The lady reportedly believed that her project would be worth the money if even one person found meaning in Chapel House. 鈥淚 am that one person,鈥 Hallisey said.

鈥淥ur anonymous benefactor could have no idea that she was creating a rare oasis of peace in a continuously connected world,鈥 Casey said. 鈥淗er original intent still resonates and serves as the primary focus of this beautifully designed, carefully restored home. But the impact of her generosity has expanded with the decline of silence and solitude in our society.鈥

For more details on Chapel House, including information on making overnight reservations, visit .