Preserving a Texas treasure: TWU raises funds to maintain Little Chapel-in-the-Woods

by PegNews wire

DENTON — A new Texas Woman’s University fundraising campaign will help preserve a Texas treasure, the historic Little Chapel-in-the-Woods.

“From the moment I arrived at TWU, I was moved by the beauty of the Little Chapel and by the emotions it evokes from our alumni and friends, which is why restoring the chapel was my first capital campaign at TWU,” said TWU Chancellor Ann Stuart. “It is important that we continue to raise funds to repair our TWU treasure and keep it in the condition that it deserves as an historic and architecturally significant building.”

The campaign will fund a new roof and electrical wiring. The copper portion of the roof must be completely replaced to maintain the historical integrity of the building. The electrical wiring must be brought up to code to protect the building from the possibility of fire.

Since its dedication by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt in 1939, the Little Chapel-in-the-Woods has been a place of tranquility and beauty on TWU’s Denton campus. The chapel was designed by renowned Dallas architect O’Neil Ford and his partner A.B. Swank. TWU students created the building’s artwork, including stained glass windows, lighting, woodwork, and flooring.

The Texas Society of Architects in 1983 designated the chapel as one of the state’s most outstanding architectural achievements, while Texas Monthly placed it among “The Ten Best Buildings in Texas” in its March 2009 issue.

The university will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Little Chapel-in-the-Woods on Nov. 3 with a ceremony and reception.

Donations for the Little Chapel-in-the-Woods restoration campaign currently are being accepted. For more information, visit www.twu.edu or call Patrice Benfield Frisby at 940-898-3867.

Source: Texas Woman's University