Worship and Chapel
A Brief History of the Development of Corporate Worship at Lee University
Lee University is committed to the holistic development of students and, therefore, takes seriously the spiritual enrichment of the student’s life. One way of engaging students spiritually is through corporate worship.
Although there is no detailed history of chapel services during the formative years of Bible Training School (BTS, now Lee University), students’ written and oral testimonies offer a glimpse of the importance of corporate worship. In the earliest years the classes met at the Evangel Publishing House and shared space with publishing house employees and denominational leaders. These groups met together daily for times of devotion and prayer. Some students also attended family prayer at the home of A.J. Tomlinson, the leader of the Church of God at that time who lived across the street from the publishing house. Meeting corporately for a time of scripture reading and prayer was a daily requirement of students and teachers at the Bible school.
Other times of worship for BTS students occurred primarily within the classroom, and sometimes the singing and prayer were rather impromptu and spontaneous. One of the first twelve students, Jesse Danehower, of Arkansas, later reflected about that first term: “We students and Sister Chambers spent many precious and happy hours reading, studying, praying, and shouting the high praise of God. These were some of the happiest hours of our lives.” Mississippi student Grant Williams enrolled in November 1918 and often reflected about Nora Chambers, the teacher, leading students in prayer and worship between their studies. Williams particularly remembered when several students were filled with the Holy Spirit as the class sang “O I Want to See Him,” a recently published hymn at that time. Music enhanced their worship experiences and was an important part of the school from the beginning. Many students brought their own instruments, such as guitars, banjos, mandolins, saxophones, trombones, and accordions.
Today, Lee students enjoy more structured corporate worship through regular chapel services. For those first students, this was experienced by participating in the weekly services and revivals at nearby North Cleveland Church of God, with some students choosing to attend the South Cleveland Church of God. The school’s Catalog provided clear instructions: “All students will be expected to attend Church and Sunday School regularly and no one will be permitted to be absent without permission.”
In 1920 BTS relocated to the former sanctuary of North Cleveland Church of God, as the local congregation had occupied a newly constructed building across the street, the Assembly Auditorium. By 1925 the school had outgrown the sanctuary and joined with North Cleveland Church in sharing the spacious Assembly Auditorium. (Once a year Church of God members converged on Cleveland to conduct the official business of the denomination and to enjoy worship and fellowship together. They met at the Assembly Auditorium. During the remainder of the year, the building housed the services for the North Cleveland congregation and served as home to the Bible school.) This is relevant because the spacious auditorium of this building allowed the school to begin more structured worship services as part of the school. However, the frequency at which these services were held is unclear.
When the Young People’s Endeavor (Y.P.E.) began in 1929, this denominational initiative for training youth was quickly adopted by the Bible school. BTS organized its own Y.P.E. chapter, which held a weekly service and operated very much as a spiritual life club. The student-led Y.P.E. at BTS actively engaged with the spiritual life of the school and assisted with various projects to benefit the school and students.
In 1938 BTS relocated to Sevierville, Tennessee, occupying the property which previously housed the Murphy Collegiate Institute. There, some students attended church services at the local Church of God congregation that met on High Street. However, that local church’s building was too small to accommodate all of the students and its own congregation. The Bible school then conducted its own regular services, including Sunday School, Sunday morning worship, Sunday evening preaching, midweek prayer meeting, and Saturday evening Y.P.E. Revivals were held at various times throughout the term as well. A required chapel service was conducted four mornings each week, and one morning was reserved for club meetings during the usual chapel hour (Monday through Friday).
It was during the school’s time at Sevierville that the students began reciting the benediction at the close of each chapel service. When Mary Elizabeth Harrison [Green] was hired at BTS in 1942 she suggested the practice of corporately reciting Psalm 19:14 at the close the prayer at each service. This practice continues today and is known as the “university benediction.” For more than 80 years, students and faculty alike have ended each service reciting this verse of scripture as a prayer. It is one of the most enduring traditions at Lee.
When the school returned to Cleveland in 1947 as Lee College, corporate worship continued as a vital part of students’ spiritual life. Chapel and other worship services followed the same structure and format as it had at Sevierville, and the 1948 Catalog offers more detailed information:
Chapel. This service is held four mornings a week and has become an integral part of the institution. Here the entire school meets to seek divine guidance for the day and the faculty and students learn to know each other better; together they are inspired to strive for more efficient service. Students are required to be present at all chapel services.
Sunday School. This service is conducted each Sunday morning. The superintendent, other officers, and teachers are elected by the school. All students are required to take an active part in the Sunday School. [By 1951 students were permitted to attend Sunday School at one of the local churches instead of on campus, if they chose. However, the dormitories were checked to be sure students were not sleeping in.]
Sunday Morning Worship. This is an important part of the college religious program. The students regard it as the most sacred service of the week. The Robed Choir or some choral group frequently sings and the president, some member of the faculty, or a visiting minister usually brings the message. [As with Sunday School, by 1951 students were permitted to attend one of the local churches instead of on campus, if they chose.]
Sunday Evening Service. A guest speaker or some ministerial student selected by the program committee usually brings the Sunday evening message. These services afford great inspiration and experience for the individual, as well as an opportunity for the student body to worship together. [Students were expected to attend the Sunday evening services.]
Friday Night Prayer Meeting. This is an informal assembling of the students for the purpose of worship. Students selected by the program committee are in charge.
In 1949 chapel services decreased to only three mornings each week. Club meetings continued on Wednesday mornings and an academic assembly was conducted the other morning, which alternated between Monday and Thursday mornings during various years. Sunday School, Sunday morning services, and Sunday evening services continued. All students were required to attend.
In the 1950s and 1960s it seems Sunday School and Sunday morning services were held on campus some years and not conducted on campus in other years. However, by 1968 on-campus Sunday School and Sunday morning services had returned and continued for another decade. Students had the option of attending on campus or at one of the area churches, However, students were required to attend the weekday chapel services and the Sunday evening services.
The weekly morning club meeting was discontinued in 1970 and a chapel format of Monday, Wednesday, and Friday was instituted. This continued until the late 1980s, when chapel decreased by two days each week to a Tuesday morning and Thursday morning format. The Sunday evening service remained, and each was required by full-time students.
Today, Lee University remains committed to corporate worship and offers four different chapel services on Tuesday and Thursday mornings each week and one Sunday evening service each month. Full-time students are required to attend 70 percent of chapel services offered during the semester. Lee provides students with diverse expressions of worship (traditional, series, and liturgical) as a reflection of unity in the Body of Christ.
Timeline:
1918-1925:
1925-1938:
1938-1948:
1948-Late 1980s:
Late 1980s:
Currently:
/ L.F. Morgan
Lee University is committed to the holistic development of students and, therefore, takes seriously the spiritual enrichment of the student’s life. One way of engaging students spiritually is through corporate worship.
Although there is no detailed history of chapel services during the formative years of Bible Training School (BTS, now Lee University), students’ written and oral testimonies offer a glimpse of the importance of corporate worship. In the earliest years the classes met at the Evangel Publishing House and shared space with publishing house employees and denominational leaders. These groups met together daily for times of devotion and prayer. Some students also attended family prayer at the home of A.J. Tomlinson, the leader of the Church of God at that time who lived across the street from the publishing house. Meeting corporately for a time of scripture reading and prayer was a daily requirement of students and teachers at the Bible school.
Other times of worship for BTS students occurred primarily within the classroom, and sometimes the singing and prayer were rather impromptu and spontaneous. One of the first twelve students, Jesse Danehower, of Arkansas, later reflected about that first term: “We students and Sister Chambers spent many precious and happy hours reading, studying, praying, and shouting the high praise of God. These were some of the happiest hours of our lives.” Mississippi student Grant Williams enrolled in November 1918 and often reflected about Nora Chambers, the teacher, leading students in prayer and worship between their studies. Williams particularly remembered when several students were filled with the Holy Spirit as the class sang “O I Want to See Him,” a recently published hymn at that time. Music enhanced their worship experiences and was an important part of the school from the beginning. Many students brought their own instruments, such as guitars, banjos, mandolins, saxophones, trombones, and accordions.
Today, Lee students enjoy more structured corporate worship through regular chapel services. For those first students, this was experienced by participating in the weekly services and revivals at nearby North Cleveland Church of God, with some students choosing to attend the South Cleveland Church of God. The school’s Catalog provided clear instructions: “All students will be expected to attend Church and Sunday School regularly and no one will be permitted to be absent without permission.”
In 1920 BTS relocated to the former sanctuary of North Cleveland Church of God, as the local congregation had occupied a newly constructed building across the street, the Assembly Auditorium. By 1925 the school had outgrown the sanctuary and joined with North Cleveland Church in sharing the spacious Assembly Auditorium. (Once a year Church of God members converged on Cleveland to conduct the official business of the denomination and to enjoy worship and fellowship together. They met at the Assembly Auditorium. During the remainder of the year, the building housed the services for the North Cleveland congregation and served as home to the Bible school.) This is relevant because the spacious auditorium of this building allowed the school to begin more structured worship services as part of the school. However, the frequency at which these services were held is unclear.
When the Young People’s Endeavor (Y.P.E.) began in 1929, this denominational initiative for training youth was quickly adopted by the Bible school. BTS organized its own Y.P.E. chapter, which held a weekly service and operated very much as a spiritual life club. The student-led Y.P.E. at BTS actively engaged with the spiritual life of the school and assisted with various projects to benefit the school and students.
In 1938 BTS relocated to Sevierville, Tennessee, occupying the property which previously housed the Murphy Collegiate Institute. There, some students attended church services at the local Church of God congregation that met on High Street. However, that local church’s building was too small to accommodate all of the students and its own congregation. The Bible school then conducted its own regular services, including Sunday School, Sunday morning worship, Sunday evening preaching, midweek prayer meeting, and Saturday evening Y.P.E. Revivals were held at various times throughout the term as well. A required chapel service was conducted four mornings each week, and one morning was reserved for club meetings during the usual chapel hour (Monday through Friday).
It was during the school’s time at Sevierville that the students began reciting the benediction at the close of each chapel service. When Mary Elizabeth Harrison [Green] was hired at BTS in 1942 she suggested the practice of corporately reciting Psalm 19:14 at the close the prayer at each service. This practice continues today and is known as the “university benediction.” For more than 80 years, students and faculty alike have ended each service reciting this verse of scripture as a prayer. It is one of the most enduring traditions at Lee.
When the school returned to Cleveland in 1947 as Lee College, corporate worship continued as a vital part of students’ spiritual life. Chapel and other worship services followed the same structure and format as it had at Sevierville, and the 1948 Catalog offers more detailed information:
Chapel. This service is held four mornings a week and has become an integral part of the institution. Here the entire school meets to seek divine guidance for the day and the faculty and students learn to know each other better; together they are inspired to strive for more efficient service. Students are required to be present at all chapel services.
Sunday School. This service is conducted each Sunday morning. The superintendent, other officers, and teachers are elected by the school. All students are required to take an active part in the Sunday School. [By 1951 students were permitted to attend Sunday School at one of the local churches instead of on campus, if they chose. However, the dormitories were checked to be sure students were not sleeping in.]
Sunday Morning Worship. This is an important part of the college religious program. The students regard it as the most sacred service of the week. The Robed Choir or some choral group frequently sings and the president, some member of the faculty, or a visiting minister usually brings the message. [As with Sunday School, by 1951 students were permitted to attend one of the local churches instead of on campus, if they chose.]
Sunday Evening Service. A guest speaker or some ministerial student selected by the program committee usually brings the Sunday evening message. These services afford great inspiration and experience for the individual, as well as an opportunity for the student body to worship together. [Students were expected to attend the Sunday evening services.]
Friday Night Prayer Meeting. This is an informal assembling of the students for the purpose of worship. Students selected by the program committee are in charge.
In 1949 chapel services decreased to only three mornings each week. Club meetings continued on Wednesday mornings and an academic assembly was conducted the other morning, which alternated between Monday and Thursday mornings during various years. Sunday School, Sunday morning services, and Sunday evening services continued. All students were required to attend.
In the 1950s and 1960s it seems Sunday School and Sunday morning services were held on campus some years and not conducted on campus in other years. However, by 1968 on-campus Sunday School and Sunday morning services had returned and continued for another decade. Students had the option of attending on campus or at one of the area churches, However, students were required to attend the weekday chapel services and the Sunday evening services.
The weekly morning club meeting was discontinued in 1970 and a chapel format of Monday, Wednesday, and Friday was instituted. This continued until the late 1980s, when chapel decreased by two days each week to a Tuesday morning and Thursday morning format. The Sunday evening service remained, and each was required by full-time students.
Today, Lee University remains committed to corporate worship and offers four different chapel services on Tuesday and Thursday mornings each week and one Sunday evening service each month. Full-time students are required to attend 70 percent of chapel services offered during the semester. Lee provides students with diverse expressions of worship (traditional, series, and liturgical) as a reflection of unity in the Body of Christ.
Timeline:
1918-1925:
- Daily scripture reading and prayer corporately
- Corporate worship services at a local church
- Attendance required at each
1925-1938:
- Scripture reading and prayer offered in each class
- Corporate worship services at a local church
- Some corporate worship services at the Auditorium; frequency uncertain
- Attendance required at each
1938-1948:
- Chapel services instituted for four mornings each week
- Sunday School, Sunday morning services, Sunday evening services held on-campus
- Attendance required at each
- Reciting the university benediction began
1948-Late 1980s:
- Chapel services held three mornings each week; attendance required
- Sunday evening worship services; attendance required
- At times there was on-campus Sunday School, Sunday morning services, and weekly prayer services; other times students were encouraged to attend these services at a local church
Late 1980s:
- Chapel services held two mornings each week and Sunday evenings
- Attendance required at a certain percentage of services
Currently:
- Chapel services held two mornings each week and one Sunday evening each month
- Students required to attend 70% of chapel services each semester (unless exempt)
/ L.F. Morgan