Summerall Chapel

Summerall Chapel is a cruciform chapel on the campus of The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. Constructed from 1936 to 1938, the chapel serves the South Carolina Corps of Cadets and the broader Citadel and Charleston communities. The chapel is non-sectarian, but hosts Catholic, Protestant, and Episcopal worship services weekly during the academic year. Additionally, many special events, such as weddings and the annual Christmas Candlelight Service, are hosted in the chapel.[1]

Summerall Chapel
32.797790°N 79.959225°W / 32.797790; -79.959225
LocationCharleston, South Carolina
CountryUnited States
DenominationNon-denominational
Websitewww.citadel.edu/root/chapel
History
Former name(s)Cadet Chapel (1936–1953)
StatusChapel
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Architect(s)C. R. MacDonald
StyleGothic
GroundbreakingSeptember 7, 1936
CompletedApril 10, 1938
Clergy
Chaplain(s)Joe Molina

It is located on the Avenue of Remembrance, directly across Summerall Field from Padgett-Thomas Barracks. It stands between Daniel Library and Mark Clark Hall.

Construction

The chapel, designed by C.R. MacDonald, was started on September 7, 1936 and dedicated on Palm Sunday, April 10, 1938. The first services, however, were held in the chapel on September 19, 1937.[2] The chapel was named in honor of Citadel president Gen. Charles Pelot Summerall.[3] A $1 million repair program was developed for the chapel in 1985.[4]

Decoration

Inside, there is a set of thirty stained glass windows designed by H.G. Wilbert depicting the life of Jesus Christ which were executed by the Pittsburgh Stained Glass Studios in the 13th century Gothic style.[5] Additionally, flags representing each of the states of the union, donated at the request of General Summerall, hang to improve acoustics inside the chapel.

Confederate Naval Jack
The Confederate naval jack, installed in 1939, on display in September 2019.

A Confederate naval jack is one of 57 flags on display in the chapel.[6][7] It has been displayed there since 1939.[7] In June 2015, the school's Board of Visitors voted in favor of moving the flag from the chapel to what was called "an appropriate location on campus."[8] As of September 2019, the flag had not been removed.[9]

References
  1. "About Summerall Chapel". The Citadel. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  2. "The Citadel Chapel". News & Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. December 24, 1963. p. 6. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
  3. "Chapel Is Named for Summerall". News & Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. August 1, 1937. p. 9-A. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
  4. Nelson, Laura (November 13, 1985). "Citadel Officials Want To Upgrade Chapel". News & Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. p. B1. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
  5. "Cadets' Summerall Chapel Joins Old And New Beauty". News & Courier. Charleston, South Carolina. February 26, 1962. p. 9-A. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
  6. "Citadel alumni renew pressure to remove Confederate flag from chapel". The Post and Courier. 1 Sep 2017.
  7. Kim, Keelor (3 June 2014). "Flag in Summerall Chapel a memorial accepted by Gen. Summerall - The Citadel - Charleston, SC". www.citadel.edu. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  8. "Citadel leaders vote to move Confederate flag from college's chapel". 24 June 2015.
  9. "File:Confederate Flag at The Citadel, September 2019.jpg". Wikipedia. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
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