FHU finds new ways to host chapel services while auditorium is under renovation

September 4, 2024

Ryan Hodges,

HENDERSON, Tenn. — One local university is having to make some changes to their daily routine.

For decades, Monday through Friday, all students of Freed-Hardeman University would file in at their auditorium at 10:30 a.m. for chapel. But this year, they are not able to do that. Why? Well because the auditorium is under renovation. So they had to come up with a different plan.

We spoke to Vice President of Student Services, TJ Kirk, about what that plan is.

“The first part was figuring out where we had space. Most of our areas only held about 200 or a little bit more than that. So it was figuring out where we could be, and then what the students would want to attend. So if we’re going to make this mandatory, I feel like it’s vital that we provide them with what they want and what they need,” said Kirk.

Because they are having to split up into different sections and different buildings, the sizes are much smaller. But Kirk says there is a benefit to having these different options.

“Well, one of the benefits is choice. Everyday a student is able to wake up and say, ‘Hey, do I want to go to a singing chapel? Do I want to go to apologetics? Do I want to have a bible study?’ They’re able to get what they want. Having choice often makes things a whole lot better,” said Kirk.

Even though they are having to split up and go to different chapels, they are still making it a point to get all of the students together, into one building, sometimes during the week.

“We strive to have a community chapel where we share news, share announcements, celebrate teams, all of that stuff together. It’s one of the unique things about Freed-Hardeman University. Many other colleges are never able to have their entire student body under one roof at one time,” said Kirk.

So two days during the week, all of the students are able to come together in one building. Even though it’s not the same place, it still feels like it used to. Then the other three days they split up and go to the chapel of their choice.