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Me and My Chapel Episode 1.


One of the most serene places at the Lady Doak College is the Wilcox Chapel. Some of us went there to sit still and enjoy the peace that is in the place. Some of us went there to pour our heart to God when life struck hard. Be it good or bad times. The chapel was always there for us.



Treasure at the entrance


There was this baptism bowl at the entrance of the chapel. It was filled with tiny papers with verses which was cut off from the old Christian calendars. Many of us at took those eagerly as an answer for the prayers that we prayed unto God. Though that was like a baby's faith move, God surely comforted us even with that little faith of ours.



The chapel's lawn was maintained by an old man who was very cautious about it and never allowed anyone to step on it. Some times, the girls used to sneak in to the lawn to take photographs which he did not like. The lush green lawn with neatly trimmed grass and paved pathways in front of the chapel added beauty to it. The center of the lawn had a fountain that brought joy to people who loved listening to the gentle melody of water.


The Gong of the Chapel Bell


Our Chapel has this beautiful sounding chapel bell. The SCM (Student Christian Movement) office bearers were usually the ones who pulled the ropes to make the bell go ding-dong. It was such a pleasing, soothing and an inviting sound. Amid the chirping of the birds, and the bustle of the day as classes went on for different batches of the students (like morning and evening college), the sound of the chiming bells used to make its way to our ears.


Our chapel has two entrances. The shoes and sandals are arranged neatly outside the chapel. I later learned that it was because of the volunteers who arrange them every day.


I am a regular churchgoer. My dad was a minister, and my mom loved the community at the church. So, I was fortunate enough to have the discipline of going to church every Sunday, and I love that about my family. But when I entered Lady Doak College, I was surprised to see that we had service EVERY DAY. We had services in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Writing about this makes me remember the song by Don Moen where he sings, "Evening and morning and at noon will I pray and cry aloud. He shall hear my voice." Exactly the same thing was happening at the chapel. It was a sweet haven for many.



I was introduced to the chapel by my senior named Shirley, who was the chapel representative at Sir James Doak (GF). I was in awe seeing my senior Shirley going to service every day. But no matter how much I admired her, I enjoyed praying alone in the dorm and never wanted to attend chapel regularly. Some of the hostellers even asked me, "Are you a Christian? Then why aren't you going to chapel every day?" I felt those questions as intimidating and told them I was not used to it. My Chapel Representative Shirley was always chirping like a bird with joy. She had this portable tape recorder and often listened to songs from a CD named "Nesipaya." The below song "Siluvayo Anbin Sigaram" (The Cross is the Peak of Love) is her favourite.



Her face was full of light and joy. No one could feel unloved after having a conversation with her. Her pure joy attracted me towards her, and I started going to chapel only in the evenings, along with her (7:00 to 7:30). At times I have missed it, but she never judged me for that. Later, we both came to know that we were distant relatives, and we enjoyed each other's companionship. She introduced me to Sweetlin and Evangelin, two of her close friends.


The service goes like this: when the chapel bell rings sharply at 7, a chorus of praise is sung by the girls who take turns to sing in the chapel. There is this particular senior named Esther who sings the invocation song. Then it will be followed by a congregation song and then the doxology. God has blessed her with a beautiful voice. She strictly dedicates her voice to glorifying God. I truly admire such people with dedication. This brings to mind the Bible verse which says, "Through one man's obedience, many will be saved." She is not a very famous person but a lady who is set apart for God.




In life, I have seen many people who dedicate their God-given talents and abilities to God. Without knowing it, they have touched many lives. God never fails to honor those who honor Him. I have learned a crucial life lesson from people with such dedication: they might not have become more popular in college life, but they have made a mark with the life they lived at such a young age.


Esther cherished her gift and the SCM office bearers of her time were requesting her to sing or lead in the service.


In a similar manner, we can also use our gifts for God. God will create something beautiful in our lives. Our lives will be focussed on bringing glory to God's name. He will be the centre of all our motives, with that we will be touching lives in a beautiful way because we will be shaped by God become like His son.


Hey my friend if you are waiting for something with dedication, stay hopeful the Lord will never disappoint anyone who waits on Him.


The dedicated crew of the chapel


Another beautiful thing that I have witnessed about my senior Shirley is that she went to chapel everyday by 6 in the morning. She will pray by the alter and then she will decorate the board inside the chapel with colour chalk. She will write a verse everyday there. It was sweetlin who wrote Bible verse in the black board which was in between the chapel and the Harilakshmi Hall. Through my senior Shirley I came to know that there are volunteers to arrange the chairs in the chapel, to change the flowers and the flower vase in the alter and to keep the song book named "Muzhu iravu jebaveerargal paadalgal", order of service book and the Hymn book in the chairs. Those volunteers humbled themselves, disciplined themselves and committed themselves to do God's work everyday. I had a senior whose name was Rini Joyce who was volunteering to arrange the sandals and shoes at chapel's gate every morning. I later witnessed God lifting her as the college president. She never talked unnecessarily with anyone. She had a calm personality. She had a gentle smile for everyone. Those who volunteered went a little early to chapel everyday to do their service for the Lord. Yes the chapel was not an one man show. It was filled with dedicated services of students, Professors, and non teaching staffs. Our chapel taught us to work selflessly, We learned to grow in love and dedication for God. Most of all we learned discipline. We found joy in doing things together. We were moulded as leaders who love to serve at our chapel. We were moulded to be individuals who encourages the growth of each other. At chapel we have not only developed friendships but sisterhood.


Episodes to be continued...


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© 2025  by Anitha Jebarani from Lady Doak College. All rights reserved.

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