1. It has endured many pranks in its time.

For many years, Drury University students were required to attend chapel. According to Dr. Peter Browning, Drury’s chaplain, this mandate led to many pranks by students.

“On one occasion, the organist was shocked to discover that when he pressed his fingers to the keys, chicken feathers started billowing from the organ pipes,” he said.

Other pranks by students included: releasing a mouse into the sanctuary during service, which caused pandemonium among the congregation, and walking a cow  to the top of the chapel. (Cows can ascend a flight of stairs fine but struggle coming back down.)

2. It served as a library.

The founders of Stone Chapel wished to create a common place for religious services, lectures, concerts and the civic needs of the community. The purpose: to promote faith and higher education.

Stone Chapel features a library, where classes were held. Although Drury University is now only loosely affiliated with the Disciples of Christ denomination, Stone Chapel remains to be a symbol of communion for the university.

According to Drury student tour guide Joshua Anderson, the bell that appears in Drury’s emblem is a symbol of Stone Chapel and its religious affiliation.

3. It has been rebuilt.

On Dec. 12, 1882, Stone Chapel burned down prior to its structural completion. The furnace room of Stone Chapel went up into flames while college classes were taking place inside the building.

No one was harmed, but individuals in the Springfield area witnessed the bell tower fall to the ground.

“I do remember being told that the destruction of Stone Chapel nearly led to the undoing of the college in its early days,” Browning said. “It was clearly a major challenge and a time when Drury College had few funds.”

Stone Chapel was rebuilt a decade later, in 1892.

4. It is the oldest and most eco-friendly stone building in Greene County.

Stone Chapel was originally built in 1876, making it the oldest stone building still standing in Greene County.

It is also eco-friendly because of the installation of a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. Former President Todd Parnell believed Stone Chapel needed to be sustainable for the environment and consistent with Drury’s core values, which is to be recognized as an institution of higher education committed to sustainability.

5. It was named after a benefactor, not its exterior.

Valerie Stone, who supported providing higher-education opportunities for women and African-Americans, donated money to Stone Chapel. During this time, it was rare for women and African-Americans to be given such opportunities, and Stone had a niece who attended Drury at the time.

For more information on Stone Chapel, check out the history of Stone Chapel and take a virtual tour.