Miller Chapel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Miller Chapel
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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| Location | 64 Mercer St., Princeton, NJ |
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| Built | 1834 |
| Architect | Charles Steadman |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Part of | Princeton Historic District (ID75001143) |
| Designated CP | 27 June 1975 |
Miller Chapel is a very important building at the Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey, United States. It has been used continuously since it was finished in 1834. A skilled local architect named Charles Steadman built it using brick covered in stucco. It has a simple front porch with classic Greek-style columns. As the chapel for the oldest Presbyterian Seminary in the United States, it has been a spiritual home for many important Presbyterian thinkers. Inside, the entrance area has special plaques honoring people like Samuel Miller, who the chapel was named after, and other famous theologians.
History of the Chapel
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The chapel first faced Mercer Street to the east, slightly behind Alexander Hall. It was designed in the Reformed tradition. This meant it had one main worship space for everyone: the choir, the people attending, and the clergy. A central pulpit was important, showing that the main focus was on teaching from the Word of God. Originally, there were plans for a second building just like it. This would have made the chapel and its twin stand on either side of Alexander Hall. This design was similar to how Nassau Hall was flanked by the original Whig and Clio Halls.
In 1874, the chapel was updated. New Victorian stained glass windows were added, along with an organ. This was a change from the traditional Reformed idea of not using musical instruments during worship. In 1933, a much bigger renovation happened. The chapel was moved to face the inside of the campus. It became a central building for two main squares, surrounded by other halls. This renovation also made the building larger. The Victorian windows were removed to give the chapel a simpler look again. This new look was more in line with the Seminary's original Reformed style.
Later updates to the chapel took place in 1964 and 2000. Today, the chapel is home to the Joe R. Engle Organ, which was given to the Seminary in 2000. Besides daily services, the chapel also hosts many concerts throughout the year. Weddings in the chapel are usually for people who are students, graduates, trustees, or employees of the seminary, or their parents.
On January 25, 2022, the leaders of Princeton Seminary decided to change the name of Miller Chapel. This decision was made because of Samuel Miller's past connections to slavery. The Seminary's leaders carefully thought about this. It was part of their promise to learn from history and make things right. The new name for the chapel is now Seminary Chapel.
Gallery
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The front porch with its classic columns.
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The inside, showing the central pulpit.
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A close-up of the cross.
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The Joe R. Engle Organ.
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See also
- Nassau Presbyterian Church, a church nearby that was also designed by Charles Steadman in a similar style.
