The bells of the “Presbyterian spider” that is Wireman Chapel have been silent for a year and a half. Both the loss of its home and the retirement of its director and chaplain, Rev. Doug McMahon, have left the Center for Spiritual Life struggling to find footing.
Cited as both one of the most extraordinary churches in the world by Mobsea and one of the ugliest churches in the world by RealClearReligion, Wireman Chapel has been a staple of the Eckerd College campus since its construction in 1968. Prior to the chapel’s dedication, students attended the Pasadena Community Church in South Pasadena, a place where, according to local guide Bob Allain, one might note, “Wonderful Christmas Eve service the children were outstanding, especially the cow.” Throughout the 50 years after its opening, though, Wireman Chapel served as the hub for spirituality on campus.
The chapel was closed in 2023 due to concerns regarding erosion on the building’s arachnoid trusses. The bells kept ringing on the hour (and played a song at noon and 5 p.m.) until the double hurricanes in ’24 fried the electrical system, and with a $20 to $30 thousand dollar price tag, replacing the system is not a priority, according to Jamey Handorf, associate dean for residence life and facilities management…