Lon Morris College Memorial Chapel is the heart of campus spiritual life. It is where the Bearcat community begins the academic year, and where LMC students celebrate their success. It opens its doors during times of joy and celebration, and during times of sorrow as well, and students, faculty, staff, and administration know where to find each other at such times.
In addition to such occasions, chapel worship is scheduled at 11 AM every Wednesday that school is in session, and student-led contemporary praise and worship (Fourth Day) is held on Thursday evenings at 8:15 PM.
The liturgical year is kept, and special services include Ash Wednesday,Tennebrae, All Saints, and the Hanging of the Greens. At the beginning of each academic year, students erect a PRAYER WALL in the Matthews Prayer Chapel. The Bearcat Community (and the Jacksonville community at large) write prayer concerns on the Prayer Wall and intecessory prayer is conducted by the students of the LMC Church Careers Program. The public is cordially invited to join the Bearcat community for any worship service. The chapel is routinely open from 8:30 AM to 8 PM during the time that students are on campus.
PUBLIC USE OF CHAPEL FACILITIES Located at the corner of College Avenue and Burleson Street, the chapel houses the sanctuary, prayer chapel, historical room, bride's room, reception room/kitchen, the chaplain's office, and the office of Service Learning and Community Relations. The sanctuary, which seats approximately 380 persons, is equipped with a three-manual, full-pedal Rogers organ and a grand piano. The windows of the sanctuary, the Williams Prayer Chapel, and the historical room feature Christian symbols etched into specially-made glass. Three rose windows on the lieft, right, and center chancel walls, display beautiful stained glass symbols of the Trinity: the hand of God our Creator dispensing a blessing, the victorious Lamb of God representing Christ the Savior, and a descending dove representing the Holy Spirit. The Wilson Prayer Garden is located on the south side of the building, and a courtyard in the rear of the chapel affords shady seating and a quiet atmosphere. TOURS OF THE CHAPEL with explanations of the symbols are available by appointment for individuals or groups. For tour information, contact the chaplain, Reverend M. Rhett Ansley, by email at ransley@lonmorris.edu, or by phone at 903-589-4003. For public use of the chapel facilities, contact LMC camp and outreach coordinator, Afton Barber, by email at abarber@lonmorris.edu, or by phone at 903-589-4065.
