Chapel memories
	Chapel BW In recognition of the Alumni Chapel Centennial, we asked alumni and friends to submit their fondest memories of the Chapel and the services held between its walls. We are pleased to share with you the many remembrances we received, as they appeared in the fall 2004 issue of Hill Ties.

	The Reverend Homer Royer ’77, Pastor of Calvary United Church of Christ
	"The Hill School background contributed greatly to a sense of confidence and ability to follow what I considered a calling from God to go into the ordained ministry. Without being too immodest, I believe I have a greater depth of living due to The School's rich history." The Rev. Royer remembers the "creaking of the pews when the prayer time arrived, the plaques on the walls which carried so much history, scripture verse on the arch over the chancel, and the honest reflections of Mr. Watson from the Chapel pulpit." The Rev. Royer offers advice to current students, saying, "Required Chapel services offer more than we realize."

	Carter H. Manierre ’67, Minister
	"I used to look up and ponder The Hill School motto: 'Whatsoever things are true.' Read out of its biblical context, these words begged differing interpretations: "WHATSOEVER, things are true." Or even: "Things happen...whatever." I would sit there for 20 minutes or so trying to figure out "What things?" and "What is truth?" This idea, the motto, went in and stayed. "I got to college, the University of Virginia , right in the middle of Vietnam. I again was given to ponder, 'Just WHAT is true?' I looked up the track a-ways and saw that every career path led to the same end: a boring, stultified existence, 2.4 kids, a dog, a house in the suburbs etc. . . . I looked around and wondered, 'What is OFF the path? What lies between the different roads offered me in college?' Lo and behold-OPEN FIELD! Life was up to me to create, following 'Whatsoever things are true.'" Carter recalls: "Bill Kies '67 singing 'O Jerusalem' at the Chapel service during our 1982 reunion, and 'Woody, the Wel-rounded Woodchuck', read by Headmaster Ned Hall at the opening service each year." Carter offers this advice: "Definitely ponder on these things: 'Whatsoever things are true.' Don't buy someone else's interpretation of 'truth,' as what is true for you is what is true."

	The Reverend Donald G. Stauffer ’43, Retired teacher, clergyman, and hospital director of development
	"Chapel strengthened my national familiarity and interest in religion. Chapel talks or sermons and religion classes and professors certainly contributed to my career decisions of the ministry. Chapel was a unifying, coming together experience for me."

	The Reverend William R. Hinrichs ’70, Parish priest
	"Exposure to hymns, prayers, and the faith of others all prepared me to be open to a vocation in ordained ministry." Bill's most influential memories were of guest preachers, Fr. John Riegel, and the music program organized by Mr. Tuttle.

	The Reverend William B. Abernethy ’57, Retired Ministry
	In recalling Chapel, Bill encourages today's Hill students to "be as honest and faithful as you can," lessons reinforced through chapel.

	The Reverend Russell H. Feroe, Jr. ’63, Pastor
	"The Reverend Mark Brown introduced me to the classic Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, which I have used over and over for the past 31 years. It continues to be one of the most influential and helpful books for people new to the Christian faith. Chapel afforded me the opportunity to sing great sacred music as part of the glee club and chapel choir." Russ advises current students to "focus less on the content of particular sermons, talks, or lectures, and allow oneself to be formed by the overall atmosphere and environment."

	The Reverend Dr. Keith E. Jones ’63, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church
	"As a day student I did not have to attend Chapel. I do remember well the third form class in religion taught by Chaplain Brown in the '63-'64 school year where we were introduced to Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. It was a pivotal book and a pivotal time."

	Daniel C. McMains ’98, Hill instructor of history and theology
	"The Hill fostered in me a love of learning and the devotion of teachers solidified my desire to pursue teaching as a career. I would encourage all students, but especially sixth formers, to give a Chapel talk. I never did and it is one of my biggest regrets from my time at The Hill."

	The Reverend Charles F. Luckett ’44, Retired clergyman
	"It (Chapel) engendered what might be called a 'delayed reaction' vocation. I distinctly recall being so impressed, I went to my home church pastor once on vacation from The Hill and told him excitedly that I intended to go to Princeton and then to Princeton seminary to become a Presbyterian minister. His cold-water response: "You just want a profession where you don't have to be in the office at 8 a.m. everyday!" It was 23 years later before I entered seminary. Chapel instilled in me an understanding that God is in every day and every hour of one's life. It offered some light and beauty, especially in the long winter term. "It also instilled in me a love and respect for 'Whatsoever things are true.' Chuck remembers "having to borrow a few pennies from a pew-mate for the collection at my first Chapel service; the "silent chapel" to protest the expulsion from The Hill of Nelson Bunker Hunt; and the sermons of the Reverend Speers. Chuck offers this advice to current students of The Hill: "At times, the chapel program may seem peripheral to your overall experience of The Hill. It is not. It inculcates values, beliefs, and truths which will strengthen you throughout your lives. Watch out! You may find yourselves with a delayed vocation to Christian ministry as I did. May God bless you and The Hill." View more Chapel memories.