On September 27, 2024, The Hill School community celebrated the rededication of the Alumni Chapel. The service commemorated the renovation and expansion of the Chapel that began in June 2023. From the expansion, the chapel has expanded its occupancy from 511 to 590 people with its construction of a new balcony. At the beginning of the ceremony, the Rev. Anne Confer Martens welcomed all who took part in the service. As a special tribute, the prelude played on the organ was the same hymn that was played at the Chapel’s first dedication in 1904. View a video of the dedication ceremony.

Head of School Kathleen Devaney greeted students, Trustees, faculty, and returning Hill alumni and friends. Several former Chaplains and their families were in attendance including The Rev. John “JB” Bensinger and his wife, Sandy; Susan Harvard, the wife of the Rev. Dr. John Harvard; and the Rev. Dr. John Houghton, Alumni Chapel Dean Emeritus. Ms. Devaney spoke on the significance of the Alumni Chapel and the need for an expansion. Originally built and dedicated in 1904, the goal of the expansion was to keep the historic qualities of the Chapel while creating more seating. She then thanked all of those that made this expansion possible. “This project we celebrate today was funded predominantly through a single, significant leadership gift by an anonymous donor. We are so fortunate to have this angel investing in our Chapel,” Devaney said.

To conclude her remarks, Ms. Devaney shared her affinity for the Chapel and its ability to bring together the School community as one. She continued, “At Hill, people and relationships are primary, but spaces are important. Like the Dining Hall and the CFTA, the Alumni Chapel allows Hill to gather multiple times a week as a whole community, to share experiences and connect in ways that reinforce our commonality.”

Similarly to Ms. Devaney, the Reverend Anne Confer Martens ’02, Firestone Chaplain, addressed the attendees again to speak about her love of the Chapel and the need to increase its capacity. Confer Martens said, “One of my favorite things about the Chapel is that it’s different from every other building on campus. In Chapel, you don’t get graded.” She explained that everyone who is in the Chapel belongs there. Allowing more students and faculty to have a place in the Chapel will only make the community grow stronger.

The consensus shared among all of those who offered readings, including SGA Co-president Maggie Qi ’25 and Preston Athey ’67 GP ’23 ’25, Board Chair Emeritus, was that the Alumni Chapel was the one place on campus where all community members can disconnect from the busyness of the day and be present with one another. The service concluded with the following prayer of dedication for the newly renovated space. This prayer acts as a commitment to keep the Chapel a place where The Hill community can connect and grow together.

May warmth and welcome fill this place. 

May it be a lively place, filled with words and music;

May it be a quiet place, filled with prayer and contemplation;

May it be a home for the community and a place of welcome for all;

May it make room for laughter, for tears, and for wonder;

May it be a place where spirits and bodies are restored.

Now, O God, bless us, this place, and all that we do here. May Alumni Chapel continue 

to be a house of prayer, of worship, and of community for all who pass through its doors. 
 

Amen 

We would also like to thank all of those who contributed to this transformative project. These collaborators include Hill’s Capital Construction Project Manager Rich Bouher and Senior Director of Campus Operations Collin Wood as well as Declan Donnelly, project mason; Chris Angstadt, finish carpenter; and Zack Edwards, steel contractor. In addition, we are grateful to Board Chair James Alexandre ’75 and stained-glass artist Cooper O’Neil for their direction and craftsmanship in creating the new stained-glass windows.

Following the ceremony, a reception was held in the Saunders Room for Trustees and alumni to celebrate.