Memorial Prayer Chapel

The Memorial Prayer Chapel at Taylor University was completed and dedicated in April of 2008. The facility was built in memory of five members of the Taylor community who died in a traffic accident on I-69, 10 miles from the Taylor campus, on April 26, 2006. Those who died were students Laurel Erb, Brad Larson, Betsy Smith and Laura Van Ryn; also killed in the accident was dining services staff member Monica Felver. In the hours following the crash, hundreds of Taylor University students, faculty and staff, along with numerous members of the surrounding community, gathered to pray and worship in the Rediger Chapel/Auditorium on the Taylor campus. In the months following the accident campus officials wanted to create an on-campus memorial that would honor both those who died in the crash as well as any other students, faculty or staff members whose lives ended while affiliated with Taylor University. The Memorial Prayer Chapel is a popular campus gathering place and includes prayer alcoves, a small chapel, restrooms, and memorials to the five who died in 2006 as well as other members of the Taylor community.