Knowles Memorial Chapel
History of the
Knowles Memorial Chapel
 Rollins College motto "Fiat Lux"
is a phrase from the opening lines of the book of
Genesis: "Let there be light." The motto is concretized
through the imposing entrance to the chapel, which was
the generous gift of Mrs. Frances Knowles Warren in
memory of her father Francis Bangs Knowles. Francis
Knowles was one of the several ardent men and women of
the Congregational Church whose vision for the first
college in the State of Florida resulted in Rollins
College in 1885. Mr. Knowles was one of the founders and
original trustees of Rollins College. Construction of
the chapel was begun in March 1931 and it was dedicated
March 19, 1932. At that time it was located in the
center of the campus. The architect of the chapel was
the famous ecclesiastical architect, Ralph Adams Cram of
the firm of Cram and Ferguson of Boston. Mr. Cram also
designed the Church of St. John the Divine in New York
City and the chapel on the campus of the University of
Notre Dame.
|
Knowles Memorial Chapel
1000 Holt Avenue−2738, Winter Park, FL 32789-4499
407.646.2115 (phone) ● 407.646.2533 (fax)
last updated on December 10, 2004
|
|
