Originally built as an auditorium, library, and museum, the "New" Chapel was the campus center of its day. The clock was installed in 1892, and the building was wired for electricity in 1910. In 1915, Bowker Auditorium supplanted it as the site of weekly chapel (which was not a religious service, but a gathering of the whole student body for a lecture). From then until the construction of the Goodell Library in 1936, it was referred to as the College Library, and served as such. The building was renovated to serve as offices, classrooms and a lecture hall for the English and History Departments. In 1937 a tower chime of 10 bells was installed as a memorial gift. In 1965, the English and History Departments were moved to new digs, and the new Music Department moved into the Old Chapel. In 1975, the Music department moved into its new home at the Fine Arts Center, and left the Chapel unoccupied. Although they were never officially assigned the space, the Marching Band made the building its home until 1997, when structural problems were found in the tower.
The structural problems have been corrected, and the building now has a new roof, new chimes, and new clock. However, because of the extensive damage they caused to the building and the fact that they were never officially assigned there, the Marching Band has not been allowed to return. Instead, the Old Chapel will be renovated to return to its original purpose as a museum and auditorium, and should be occupied again within the decade.
Cool Fact: President Kennedy spoke at the Chapel during his Senate campaign.
Thank you to Richard Nathhorst, UMass Facilities Planning, for much of the information in this article.
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