Worship Center Brochure

Worship Center

Letter from the President

Chowan University was founded in 1848 as a Baptist college, designed to further the knowledge and the spiritual foundation of our students. As President of Chowan University, I am embarking on a renewed emphasis and energy as a Christ-centered University that places equal emphasis on the educational and spiritual growth of our students.

For nearly 175 years, Chowan has been a Christian-based institution, but we have not had a dedicated building to worship Jesus, our Lord, and Savior. Our renewed importance of providing a Christ-centered education has encouraged our Board of Trustees to approve the building of the Chowan University Worship Center. The Worship Center may be one of the most important buildings we ever erect on campus. It will be a place that is inviting to the students, where they can worship, pray, sing, and praise our Lord. It will be a place where we can introduce Jesus to students and baptize new Christians.

The new building is beautifully designed to be the focal point of our Christian heritage and teachings for the next 100 years. I am sharing some of the architectural renderings of how the Worship Center/Church will appear. The building will be next to McDowell Columns and will overlook Squirrel Park. There are still many details to be completed but we hope to start construction in the fall of 2021. I hope that you are encouraged by the renewed focus on our Christian heritage and the new Worship Center.

Please join me in bringing this building to completion. I invite you to be part of making this Worship Center project a reality. It will be a wonderful celebration.

With faith in Chowan’s future,

Kirk E. Peterson

"To whom be glory for ever and

This Chowan University Worship Center provides a restful sanctuary where students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends can meditate, reflect, pray, worship and surrender their lives to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Why now?

The Chowan University Worship Center on the campus of Chowan University is not just a building, but a place where a body of believers with a specific nature and purpose may gather. There are many key components that a Chowan University Worship Center can lay the foundations in worship, edification and evangelism.

Worship is expressing love for our Creator and our Savior. We are to praise and glorify God in worship. Every Christian needs to be a part of regular fellowship and worship. A Chowan University Worship Center will allow students to have corporate worship in a safe and inviting environment. It will be a place where we can help students build a firm foundation of their future by teaching Biblical principles and values.

1848

Chowan was founded by Dr. Godwin Cotton Moore in 1848 as Chowan Baptist Female Institute, a four-year women’s college.

1910 Named Chowan College

1938

Chowan became a junior college.

1949 Chowan College reopened as a coeducational two-year institution.

Male students were admitted.

1931

The

1851

Chowan College closed at the later part of World War II.

1943

Greatest expansion of campus buildings.

1970s-80s

McDowell Columns building, which currently houses the administrative offices, was constructed.

Edification is also a role of the Chowan University Worship Center. It involves edifying believers, but also nurturing, building up or helping believers to mature in Christ. To this end, the Chowan University Worship Center is tasked with a variety of ministries such as Bible study, continuing education in related areas, praying for one another, acts of genuine hospitality and more.

Evangelism is also a key role of the Chowan University Worship Center. This means reaching out to a lost world with the Good News about Jesus. Since people often have questions or doubts about Christ and Christianity, knowing the truth and being able to defend it (apologetics) is also part of the role of the Chowan University Worship Center.

In following Christ’s example to love others, the Chowan University Worship Center, will seek to make a real difference in the world while not neglecting to share the message of Christ. The Worship Center will be the centerpiece of our faith-based education and will leave no doubt as the University’s commitment to being Christ-centered institution of higher learning.

2006

The name of the institution was changed to Chowan University and the mascot to Hawks.

1971

Highest enrollment achieved: 1,545 students.

2021

Chowan University will enroll students in two new masters programs: Master of Arts in Teaching and Master of Organizational Leadership.

Chowan will celebrate its 175th Anniversary.

2023

Returned to four year status.

1992

Chowan University began enrolling for its first masters program: Master in Education.

2010

The exterior of the building is design to compliment existing architecture on campus, while maintaining the traditional church look.

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20

The location of the Worship Center will be between the historic McDowell Columns Hall and Green Hall (art galleries).

The Worship Center entrance will face University Drive, greeting all who enter campus.

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye. shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. -Matthew 7:7

The foyer will greet guests as they enter the Worship Center. It will also display the donors who made this vital building possible.

The sanctuary is designed to be an inviting place for reverence and worship.

“Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!” Psalm 100:2

The pulpit will have an alter that compliments the wood architecture. A piano will fill the sanctuary as the Chapel’s guests praise in song. A baptismal pool will be at the back of the pulpit.

Side doors will allow the Worship Center to interact with the landscape around it. Guest will be able to overflow into the beautiful area of the iconic Kerr Gazebo and Alumni Walk.

“That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ..” 1 John 1:3

Upon entering the Worship Center guests will be immediately drawn to the stunning beauty of the sanctuary. A Bridal Room and Groom’s Room will be to the left with rest rooms to the right.

The foyer will also display the thankfulness of its donors in a donor wall.

How can you support Chowan University?

• Your continued prayer for the growth of Chowan University.

• Continue to share about Chowan University within your network of friends and family.

• Be a part of the Chowan University campus life - arts, athletics, alumni event, etc.

• Make a gift to Chowan University

Ways to Give

There are many ways to make a gift in support of Chowan University – from simply writing an annual gift check to a major or planned gift for endowment or a capital project.

Outright Gifts (cash gifts) are immediately available to the University for both donor-designated or undesignated purposes. Cash gifts tend to be the most common means of philanthropy.

Gifts in Kind are an important way of benefiting Chowan University through a charitable gift.

A gift of real estate to Chowan University is a unique way to provide a lasting benefit to the University. It is also a convenient way for you to enjoy a charitable deduction based on the current fair market value of your property and to reduce the size and complexity of your estate. Because a gift of real estate will usually be sold as soon as practicable after it is gifted, the real estate must be free of debt and must be readily marketable. An added benefit is that, in most cases, all aspects of its sale are handled by the University.

Memorial or honorary gifts provide you with the opportunity to recognize those who have made an impact on your life.

Planned Gifts or bequests are gifts made through a will or living trust to provide support for your favorite charitable organization(s), such as Chowan University. Life insurance, Life Income, Charitable Lead Trusts, Retained Life Estates, and Retirement Plan Gifts are also considered planned gifts.