WARTBURG CHAPEL

The sculptural representation of a Neuendettelsau “Lebenskreuz,” or “Cross of Life,” depicts the Seven Acts of Mercy found in Matthew 25:35-40. These acts, also known as the Parable of the Judgments, were a source of inspiration for Wartburg’s founder, Wilhelm Löhe, who also founded a social ministry enterprise still operating today in his hometown of Neuendettelsau in Bavaria, Germany.

Tom Stancliffe, professor of art at the University of Northern Iowa, fabricated the 600-pound cross out of stainless steel and stained glass. The sculpture sits on a 1.5-ton limestone base quarried by Weber Stone Company of Stone City that matches the pillars and foundation of the Wartburg Chapel and many other buildings on campus. Total height, including the base, is 12 feet.

“It is intentionally open, not solid, to contribute to the sense of openness to which the church strives,” Stancliffe said. “Stainless steel reflects the light of day and moods of the sky in ways that augment the desire for lightness. The arrangement of the iconographic seven mercies is organic as compared to the framework and intended to undulate and suggest the body of Christ. Lighting adorns the sculpture from both the front and back.”

The cross was created with blessing from Löhe’s Diakonissenhaus Neuendettelsau (now known as Diakoneo). The Wartburg Chapel’s Cross of Life was inspired by David and the late Cindy Carlson, after Cindy visited Neuendettelsau and learned about the “Lebenskreuz” during a Wartburg College Lutheran Heritage Seminar for faculty and staff in 2010. The Carlsons’ vision was brought to life through a leadership gift from Mike and Marge McCoy, a generous gift from Vern and Jean Byl, and contributions from additional alumni and friends of the College.

“The sculpture reaffirms the College’s commitment to instilling ministry and service into the hearts of all students, faculty and staff, and reflects Löhe’s original vision of ministries of mercy guided by Matthew 25’s Seven Acts,” said Tara Young, daughter of David and Cindy Carlson and a 2003 Wartburg graduate.

The Lebenskreuz sculpture, installed near the west entrance of the Chapel, was dedicated during Homecoming & Family Weekend in October 2019 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Wartburg Chapel.

I spend considerable time encouraging people to experience God outside of church buildings, out in the world. It’s literally my job. I work through the Alaska Synod office of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) as the director for evangelical mission. It’s my job to nudge congregational leaders and pastors out into the world for the sake of outreach, but also for inspiration. “God doesn’t live just in the church building,” I tell them, “God is already out in the world, in all sorts of places. Pay attention!” A pastor recently came alive describing the joy of picking up trash in the neighborhood with his congregation. The love of Jesus was right there in that dusty fellowship, God incarnate.

Since I’m busy cajoling folks to look outside the church for God, it’s noteworthy to reflect on a building with a pale blue interior in which I so clearly saw God at work — the Wartburg Chapel. Built just a few years before I arrived on campus, the chapel drew me in quickly, though I was probably a soft target. Raised in a rural Iowa Lutheran congregation and active in high school youth group, I was looking to connect with campus ministry activities. I didn’t expect to so deeply sense God’s abiding presence in that place and that it would, after four years, gently nudge me toward what has become my call and life’s work.

God was at work in the Wartburg Chapel, for me, in countless ways. God was at work in the rhythm of the guitars at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday Eucharist, where I soon found friends to sit with each week. God was at work in the basement, where I attended several campus ministry activities, including one memorable one where we were breaking a Lenten fast with a huge meal (perhaps God was at work to keep me from fainting!). God was at work at the sanctuary, where I sang concerts with the Wartburg Choir, ribcage expanding in that black dress, gripping the hand of a bass or tenor, harmonies ringing from an a capella rendition of “Precious Lord.” God was at work at the baptismal font in the back of the narthex, where a close friend came to be baptized at a small ceremony, and we stood shoulder-to-shoulder as water was poured over her forehead, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God was at work in the chapel offices upstairs, where I had a small desk with scribbled notepads of ideas for Bible studies and programs when I served as Campus Ministry Board president. God was at work in that same office, when I told one of the campus pastors that I was loving my position as board president so much that I wished I could do it forever. God was at work when she said to me, “Lisa, it’s called being a pastor.”

My parents live near Waverly, and so over the years, I’ve driven by or been on campus many times. It warms my heart to see the Wartburg signs, and I’ve enjoyed watching the campus change. But there is nothing like the feeling of stepping onto the grass and looking up at “Ein Feste Burg,” carved in stone on the chapel’s western exterior wall. A mighty fortress. Strong, and yet porous to the love and work of God. God is at work, both inside that chapel, and out in the world.

June 2019
Rev. Lisa Smith Fiegel ’99, Anchorage, AK

“My first memory with the Wartburg Chapel was my first worship service as a junior in high school during Meistersinger Honor Band. I was talking to a student about wanting to come to Wartburg possibly, and he took the time to really speak with me about what life at Wartburg would look like. I still have my bulletin from this service, as he even wrote his email on it in case I ever had any questions or wanted to reach out. We’re still friends today, and I have had many Meistersinger Honor Band Chapel Services since as part of the WCCB. It had been so moving to see the WCCB come together to host the service, from the message to the praise band and prelude music. I am so thankful that we have a place on campus to come and worship together, regardless of your denomination.”

• Sofia Bouffard ’20

“Eucharist on Wednesday nights. I loved it when there was just an acoustic guitar. The sounds of all the voices coming together in that simple space was a balm to the soul.”

• Hiliary Burns Baethke ’04

“Julie and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary in the Wartburg Chapel with a reaffirmation of vows. The ceremony was led by Pastor Trachte.”

• Jim Grosser ’76

“The Wartburg Chapel is where I grew and explored amazing friendships, my relationship with my beliefs, and self-confidence. The Wartburg Chapel is where I opened up to peers and PB (Pastor Brian Beckstrom) about my past and experiences that had haunted me for years. It was a place where I could go when I was stressed or overwhelmed. A place to relax, enjoy company, or think alone. Wartburg Chapel was where I found the path to feeling like myself again.”

• Morgan Riedesel ’18

“The Wartburg Chapel is hands-down one of the best places to sing. I was a part of the Wartburg Choir for three years during my time, and whenever we had the opportunity to sing in there I was filled with love and goosebumps.”

• Shelley Hartman ’11

“As the Chapel was being finished, Karen Larson, Kit Kleinhans, and I were asked by President Vogel to work with Pastor Larry Trachte to develop policies for facility use (especially weddings). I knew Karen before that, but we became closer friends working on this project. A few years later (1997), we were subject to those policies when P.T. married us in the Chapel. Karen still plays there three times a week. You might say the Chapel has been a part of our entire life together.”

• Dr. Daniel Black

“My husband (Lucas Lenhart) and I were married in this church. Wartburg means a lot to us as a couple as that is where we met. The ceremony was beautiful, and Pastor Trachte was a really great part of our ceremony as well. I couldn’t imagine having our wedding at a better place for us!”

• Emily Kleiss Lenhart ’06

“When I was 5 years old, I would go to work with my dad, Tony Lutz, before school. John Laube, former maintenance director at Wartburg, would give me a hard hat and a tour of the progress of the Chapel. I even got to pound in a few nails.”

• Erik Lutz ’10

“September 11, 2001: So many people from all over campus flocked to the Chapel for worship and to find peace. People were scared and confused that day, but even when worship was over, many of us lingered, checked in with each other, sat, and cried together. The Chapel was an extra safe ‘home’ that day.”

• Maggie Atkinson Gibney ’04

“My favorite memories of this beautiful building: being the first senior to share my Senior Chapel message, singing with the Wartburg Choir, playing the piano alone in the Chapel as a study break, Wednesday night Eucharist services. What a wonderful addition to the campus 25 years ago!”

• Jen Christy Bye ’95

“Having a chance to become part of Spiritual Life & Campus Ministry gave me an opportunity to explore another part of myself and college life. As a Eucharist/Sanctuary curator, I developed a deeper spiritual connection within myself and the environment I was growing and learning in. It changed my life … and saved it, too.”

• Rochelle Beardsley ’17

“Having a chance to become part of Spiritual Life & Campus Ministry gave me an opportunity to explore another part of myself and college life. As a Eucharist/Sanctuary curator, I developed a deeper spiritual connection within myself and the environment I was growing and learning in. It changed my life … and saved it, too.”

• Rochelle Beardsley ’17

“Every time I come back to campus and step into the chapel, I have an overwhelming feeling of being back home.”

• Amy Freeseman Yeager ‘98