During the 18th year of V. Raymond Edman’s term as president of Wheaton College a new chapel
was completed. The second of the Centennial projects, the new chapel was built to accommodate audiences too large for Pierce Chapel. It had been in use for a couple of months when on June
10th, one year after the groundbreaking, it was suggested by the board
of trustees that the building be named after the president, Edman.
Eventually, during homecoming weekend of Wheaton’s centennial year in
1960, Edman presided over the dedication of the new chapel
named in his honor. The need for a new chapel and auditorium had been
of importance for the administration for many years, and finally their
vision had been realized, a new chapel that could seat upwards of 2500
people. Weekly chapel started meeting in Edman in May of 1960, and the
building continues to host conservatory performances, Artist Series concerts, scholarly talks, and nearly 50 commencement ceremonies. |