Wait Chapel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wait Chapel |
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Wait Chapel's distinctive edifice dominates the main quad at Wake Forest University
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| 36°08′06″N 80°16′44″W / 36.13508°N 80.27885°W | |
| Location | Hearn Plaza |
| Denomination | Baptist |
| Architecture | |
| Completed | 1956 |
Wait Chapel is a very important building at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. It was the first building ever built on the university's Reynolda campus. It opened in October 1956. The chapel is named after Samuel Wait, who was the first president of the university. Its tall steeple reaches 213 feet into the sky! You can find Wait Chapel on the northeastern side of Hearn Plaza, which is also known as the Upper Quad. It stands right across from Reynolda Hall.
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Wait Chapel: A Landmark Building
Wait Chapel is a huge building that can seat 2,250 people. That's a lot of students and visitors! Inside, you'll find some amazing musical instruments.
What's Inside Wait Chapel?
The chapel is home to the Janet Jeffrey Carlile Harris Carillon. A carillon is a musical instrument made of many bells. This one has 48 bells! Imagine the beautiful music they can make. There is also the Williams Organ, a large pipe organ. It was given to the university by Walter McAdoo Williams, who also has a high school named after him.
Famous Visitors and Events
Wait Chapel has hosted many important people and events over the years. It's a place where history has been made!
Important Speakers
On October 11, 1962, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave a speech at Wait Chapel. Many years later, on March 17, 1978, then-President Jimmy Carter spoke there about national security. In November 2011, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also spoke at the chapel.
Presidential Debates
Wait Chapel has been the site of two important debates between people running for president of the United States. In 1988, it hosted a debate between George H. W. Bush and Michael Dukakis. Then, in 2000, it hosted another debate between George W. Bush and Al Gore.
Other Special Events
On September 13, 2007, the popular National Public Radio (NPR) show Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me was broadcast live from Wait Chapel. The chapel has also hosted a private memorial ceremony for the famous writer and poet Dr. Maya Angelou. This special event took place on June 7, 2014. Many well-known people attended, including former First Lady Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton, and media icon Oprah Winfrey.
Hidden Tunnels Beneath the Campus
Did you know that Wait Chapel is connected to a secret network? There's a vast series of underground tunnels that crisscross the entire campus. These tunnels are not for people to walk through. Instead, they carry important utilities like pipes and wires that keep the university running.
A Place for Community and Tradition
For many years, the congregation of Wake Forest Baptist Church held their Sunday services in Wait Chapel. The church later dissolved in 2022. The chapel also hosts other events throughout the year. One special tradition is a Moravian lovefeast during the Christmas season. A lovefeast is a simple meal shared by a community, often with singing and prayer.
