Photo taken by Madison Bowden
This year, Covenant College welcomes its largest incoming freshman class ever, comprising approximately 350 new students. This is incredibly exciting as Covenant furthers its mission to make Christ preeminent in all things. However, as the student body increases, some problems are beginning to arise.
After arriving on campus for the Fall 2025 semester, students had to face the fact that the chapel can no longer fit everyone. To solve this problem, residence halls have begun to rotate between attending chapel in person and attending chapel via livestream. Students struggle to adapt to this change while also celebrating the growth of the college.
Briley Horton ’29, a member of Founder’s Balcony, says, “I definitely did not prefer [chapel overflow] to regular chapel … It’s a whole experience when you’re in chapel.” David Ataide ’29, a Suburbs’ resident, agrees. He states, “There’s something about being in the chapel with all the acoustics and the stained glass … it just adds to the experience.”
However, many actually enjoy the intimacy that the overflow’s atmosphere provides. Addison Smith ’28, the resident assistant of Maclellan Hall’s Chi Alpha, says, “I didn’t know if this was going to be the same as chapel … [chapel overflow] has this more intimate feel that I really enjoy and that I wasn’t expecting to enjoy.”
While students assigned to chapel overflow currently have to meet in their dorm buildings, Sanderson 215 is being renovated to supply a more chapel-like space for students. This will provide an area for students to commune with one another in worship as they sing along to live music and listen to the chapel speaker from a screen.
Chapel Department Coordinator Kathryn Wieldraayer ‘13 explains that this is the best solution to the issue. In fact, when she was a student at Covenant, she experienced chapel overflow. Wieldraayer says, “That was a normal part of life on campus when I was a student. It was a thing the whole time I was here.”
Many students wonder how permanent this solution is. Wieldraayer explains, “If the student body continues to grow multiple years in a row, there will be lots of conversation about different spaces.” According to Wieldraayer, “There doesn’t seem to be an easy way to expand the chapel.”
The growth of Covenant College’s community is inspiring to new students, old students and faculty alike. However, it is also important to address the issues that arise as the size of the student body increases. For now, the solution to the overflowing chapel is effective at accommodating the student body while providing a space that is both welcoming and communal. Whether or not it remains that way will reveal itself with time.
Thumbnail photo taken by Madison Bowden