Great Commission University’s historic buildings, St. James Chapel and John Howe Mansion, were visited by a group of architecture students from the renowned Catholic University of Notre Dame, IN.
The students were guided by an architecture professor and the Director of the Northern Regional Office of Indiana Landmarks, Todd Zeiger, who also serves as adjunct professor with the architecture program.
Mr. Zeiger had visited GCU two years ago and maintained communication about GCU’s historic buildings, the Chapel and the Mansion, which are federally registered historic landmarks. The organization Indiana Landmarks has been interested in these buildings for long time, and conducted studies on their condition and restoration plans.
The students and professors looked at both buildings in detail and discovered numerous interesting items. Especially the interior layout of St. James Chapel, with pews facing each other, is rarely found in Indiana, there might be only one or two chapels of similar style in the State.
Following the visit, GCU leaders shared their reflections.
Chairman Nicolas said, “Having architecture professors and students come from the well known Catholic University of Notre Dame in South Bend to view the St. James Chapel and Mansion I believe shows how unique and culturally/historically significant this campus is. I pray that we as Great Commission University and the denomination World Olivet Assembly could rise up to meet the challenges of reviving, maintaining, and keeping these structures… revealing God’s power and becoming a fruitful testimony to his name.”
President Paul concluded, “The way how the students and professors inspected and cherished the two buildings with all their various details makes us humble and appreciate more the privilege of having these premises as part of our campus. The visitors were not only impressed but also shared interesting observations based on their architectural and historical knowledge.
“Indiana Landmarks has been in contact with us since we moved in to the campus, we hope to build a good relationship with them and find the ways to preserve, restore and use our historic buildings. These buildings may become bridges to build relationships with people who otherwise wouldn’t visit our campus, like these Notre Dame students.”
