Religion Saunders Irving Chapel will provide a venue to learn and pray for students at Sussex institution

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Erin Dwyer
For the Telegraph-Journal

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SUSSEX - After more than 40 years without a lasting place of worship, the Bethany Bible College in Sussex celebrated the consecration of its new cross-shaped chapel on Sunday where students can come to learn and pray.

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Noel Chenier/Telegraph-Journal

From left are Bethany Bible College president David Medders, Jean Saunders Irving and her husband J.K. Irving.

About 500 people, including church dignitaries, college staff, students, and members of the Irving family attended the two-hour ceremony at the Saunders Irving Chapel where various parts of the $4.1-million chapel, including its 18-metre-high steeple, its pulpit and its communion table hewn from New Brunswick granite, were blessed.

"This is our teaching chapel, a spiritual centre for preparing men and women for Christian ministry," college president David Medders told the assembly. "Even more, we recognized that the greatest festival of consecration must take place within our hearts, the true dwelling place of God by his Spirit."

Sunday's ceremony of the Saunders Irving Chapel in Sussex was the culmination of a three-year project for the Bethany Bible College. The impressive chapel, with its illuminated steeple, replaces the old hosiery factory that has served as the college's chapel on Main Street. Ground was broken for the new chapel in September 2005.

Named in honour of college alumna and Petitcodiac native Jean Saunders Irving who funded the project, the brick building sits on Summit Hill, one of Sussex's highest points for highway travellers and town residents.

"It's a shining light," she said in an interview after the service, accompanied by her husband and industrialist J.K. Irving as well as her children and grandchildren. "I think all in all it was a wonderful vision and dream, and it's now come true. I know the students will be blessed for years to come and people in the community and our family."

Mrs. Irving, who received a standing ovation from the assembly, studied fine arts at the college under the direction of her mentor, Rev. Randolph Nicholson, and later published his biography, which included reprints of many of his paintings. She stayed connected to the college over the years and served as a member of the board of trustees until 1996 when she became the founding member of the President's Advisory Council. The chapel is also named after her grandfather, Rev. A.H. Saunders.

After church and college dignitaries were piped down its main aisle, they consecrated various parts of the Celtic cross-shaped chapel, outlining its impressive and unique architecture.

"Two of God's gracious gifts of nature to New Brunswick are great stone and forests," president Medders said. "Both of these are dominant expressions in the chapel construction."

Arching over the assembly, the mahogany-stained trusses and centre beam reflect the inverted keel and ribs of a ship. Fluted mahogany-stained pillars support the trusses, each dedicated to someone by families and friends.

Oak pews, carved with a vine and branches inset into each end, can seat upwards of 900 people, while seven prayer altars face the oak-carved pulpit. The chapel's communion table is hewn from granite while outside, stone carved praying hands crown the north and south entrances of the chapel.

"These carved hands remind one and all of our calling to be men and women who seek his face in prayer," said Dr. David Howard, former director of the World Evangelical Fellowship, "and that this house would indeed be known as a house of prayer for all the nations of the world."

A large stone carving of a descending dove also adorns the high face of the main chapel entrance while two nine-foot high cornerstones form the southeast corner of the chapel.

"These stones bear witness to God's Word, which declares that He is the Rock of our salvation," said Dr. Thomas Armiger, general superintendent of the Wesleyan Church.

President Medders, who received a standing ovation for his dedication to the project led by the chapel architects and construction management team, said the teaching chapel will serve as the centre of worship and spiritual transformation for the campus.

"Here, students will worship, grow deeper in their walk with God and become better prepared for their service in the world as spiritual leaders," he said. "Beyond the campus, this chapel will serve the broader cause of Christ as a place of common worship for His people with times of great celebration, proclamation, music, teaching, worship, healing and prayer."