How did Tunghai University come to be?
Tunghai University was cofounded in 1955 by the United Board for Christian Higher education in Asia and the Christians in Taiwan committed to education. This university was established to carry on the spirit and heritage of the thirteen Christian universities previously operating in China. It was the founders’ hope to create an innovative Christian university.
What is the meaning of “Luce”?
The name “Luce Chapel” commemorates Rev. Henry W. Luce, 1868-1941, a missionary who arrived in China 1897. Rev. Luce graduated from Yale Law School, and dedicated 44 years of his life to China. Besides town and village evangelism in Shangtung Province, he also labored for the founding of Shangtung University and Yenching University, and served for many years as vice-president of Yenching University.
Rev. Luce’s two sons and one daughter were all born in China. His elder son Henry R. Luce was the founder of America’s Time, Life, and Fortune magazines. His daughter Mrs. Moore has served as the chairperson of the United Board for many years.
Why build the Chapel?
The content of an university education should not be limited to knowledge, but also includes values and spiritual insights. Therefore, an university chapel does not only serve as a place for Christian worship, but also as the spiritual center of the entire campus to enrich the founding spirit of a Christian school, along with its campus culture.
Why was the Chapel chosen to be located in its current position?
The Luce Chapel is open to the entire campus, but is not on any axis line of the campus. Its location is between the residential area and academic area, but not on any pathway. In the early years when the trees had not yet grown tall, it was visible from anywhere on campus, but did not give any sense of pressure.
It is not at the end of the Arts-Science Mall, but is in the activity area, giving a sense of friendliness. This expresses that religious education here is mild, not aggressive.
Is Luce Chapel famous?
It is one of the few structures in Taiwan which appears in worldwide architectural magazines.
Who designed the Chapel?
The American Chinese architect I. M. Pei designed it, in cooperation with the Tunghai University Architecture Department’s first chairman, C. K. Chen.
What is the goal of the Chapel design?
The early campus architectural style was the traditional four-sided Chinese family courtyard. The Chapel design was chosen to reflect Chinese cultural tradition and reveal the sacrificial love of Christ, while also considering the creativity of the period.
The Chapel is constructed of four curves surfaces, technically called “parabolic hyperboloids.” Originally the four edges of each surface were to be straight lines, but this looked too stiff, so it was changed to two straight edges and two curved edges, a “conoid.” This matches the curved eaves of Chinese buildings.
How should one enjoy the Chapel?
After entering the Chapel, your eyes naturally follow the curved surface upward to the skylight at the backbone of the building, and your line of sight extends onward to the sky, and flows naturally to the calling of the Creator and the earnest desire and worship of your deepest spirit.
During worship you can often see sunlight coming from a strip of sky, slowly moving across the platform. This indicates the fullness of the glory of God, just like His presence in all of heavens and earth.
A Message Beyond Architecture
Several decades later, Tatu Hill is a scene of development, and the symbolic significance of Luce Chapel becomes newer as the years go by.
Some people say it symbolizes knowledge, because it looks like an inverted book. Some people say it is a place to draw near to God, because it looks like two hands forever praying.
Some people think of the Lord when they think of the Chapel, because they once met the Lord here. This is their spiritual home.