Lindsay-Crossman Chapel

An Independent Institution Supporting all Faiths

Founded in the Wesleyan Methodist tradition, Baldwin Wallace ended its formal affiliation with the United Methodist Church in 2019. Today, as an independent university, BW provides a supportive environment enhancing all students' intellectual, moral and spiritual growth. The University also respects the diversity of individual religious beliefs, including those who profess no religious viewpoint. All members of the BW community are encouraged to participate in activities related to spiritual growth and development.

Baldwin Wallace is deeply committed to the open pursuit of knowledge and stresses such values as integrity, honesty, justice, compassion and spiritual growth as integral to that pursuit. Further, the University recognizes the vital connection between faith, knowledge and service and offers a variety of means to develop and strengthen those connections. BW prepares students for lives of informed and mature leadership as global citizens in a diverse world.

An ecumenical campus worship service is held at 12:15 p.m. on Thursdays during the semester in the chapel sanctuary. The 30-minute service provides a spiritually focused "pause" during the week which brings together students, faculty and staff. A variety of people from the BW community can be heard in these services and a light lunch is served afterward, providing further opportunity for fellowship and conversation.

A Catholic Mass is celebrated at St. Adalbert Church on Sundays at 7 p.m., located at 66 Adalbert Street in Berea. For additional information and opportunities, check out the BW Newman Catholic Campus Ministry:

BW Newman Catholic Campus Ministry
Email: bwnewman@bw.edu
Phone: (216) 250-2255 

For those interested in finding a quiet place for prayer, the prayer chapel is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for private and small group meditation, prayer and study.

The chapel is a multi-use space with a 200-seat main sanctuary and a small prayer chapel. Located on the main floor of the chapel, the Roehm Lounge, named for former Dean Fred Roehm, it is a comfortable space for meetings, studying and other small gatherings. To reserve a space for group use, please contact the chapel office at (440) 826-2175 or chapel@bw.edu

Weddings

BW alumni, current BW employees and the children of current BW employees can rent the chapel for Saturday weddings only. The alumni rental fee is $800 and the employee rental fee is $400. The couple is responsible for engaging an officiant and any musicians. For rental information, availability or to schedule a visit, call the chapel office at (440) 826-2175 or email chapel@bw.edu.

The Lindsay-Crossman Chapel was built in the Richardsonian Romanesque Revival style of hand-cut Berea sandstone in 1872 at a cost of $10,000. The chapel is BW's second-oldest building after Kohler Hall, though the chapel was part of the campus before Kohler. In 1953, the chapel was dedicated to former BW trustees, Hamilton Lindsay and Fred Crossman, and is also listed in the National Registry of Historic Places.

The 1991 renovation of the chapel by Van Dijk, Johnson & Partners received best-of-show status and a Merit Award for Excellence from the National Institute of Business Designers in 1992. The extensive renovation rejuvenated the historic building without sacrificing its significant historical integrity.

Pipe Organ

The Cassavant pipe organ was donated by Mary Crossman in 1964. The multiple-story organ pipes draw the eye upward to the ceiling's hand-painted "Canopy of Heaven." The organ was rebuilt during the 1991 renovation project.

Artwork

A Lord's Prayer tile set was given by Mrs. Walter Seeley in 1964. The set is displayed between the sanctuary and Roehm Lounge. Made in Jerusalem, it is an exact copy of tiles in the Pater Noster Church on the Mount of Olives and is one of only two sets in the world.

In 1991, President and Mrs. Neal Malicky donated the prayer chapel artwork, "The Eye of the Cross." This one-of-a-kind mixed-media piece was designed and executed by the influential American artist Wendell Castle.