It was a memorable evening for all who attended the Acuff Chapel rededication service on September 14.  Since 1958, Acuff Chapel has been the “heart” of the Campus School as the location for our unique daily chapel services, plays and special events.

The tone of the evening was set as Martha Ann Hawkins (a DLHS 2001 graduate and present Spanish teacher) sang, “Sweet Spirit” as photographs of chapel services through the past 50 years were projected. The rededication service reflected on our school’s past, as 1990 DLHS Alumnus, Michael Slayton, sang “Try to Remember” as photographs of the numerous plays and special events that have taken place in Acuff were shown.  Following those special performances, remembrances of events in Acuff were shared by Betty Billingsley Nicks(’68), Paul Nance (’75) and Blake Farmer (’01) providing humor and fond memories to delight of the audience.
Remarks made by Lipscomb University President, Randy Lowry, and Headmaster, Mike Hammond, delivered an encouraging message as we look to the future of our school.

For the dedication, students were involved in a devotional service and Mr. Bob Wood, Chair of the Campus School Committee of the Lipscomb Board of Trustees, gave a charge to continue our heritage of faith and commitment to our Lord, based on II Chronicles 7:11-16. As Acuff Chapel has served our community for the past fifty years to achieve our school’s mission, Mr. Wood challenged us to remain faithful as the spiritual formation of all DLCS students is the cornerstone of our school.  As the program ended the DLHS Concert Chorus sang the traditional, “Go Ye Now In Peace”.

In addition to a number of alumni, board members and donors, several members of the Acuff family were present, including two great-great grandchildren of the Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Acuff for whom the chapel is named.

Funds for the $200,000 renovation were donated by several generous families, but the majority of the funding was provided through donations to the DLCS Annual Fund.  Thank you to the many people who have help make Acuff Chapel a sanctuary, a place of comfort and happiness, for today’s students and for future students as well.