Wing of Parker Chapel Gets a Renewal

Since 1966, the iconic Margarite B. Parker Chapel has stood as the spiritual home of Trinity University, opening its doors to all who seek to observe, grow, celebrate life milestones, and connect through the power of faith, reflection, and fellowship. And after six decades of storied use, the Chapel's formation wing is set to undergo significant renovations: The Judd Center for Spiritual Life and Formation, named to honor Chaplain Emeritus Rev. Raymond Judd '56 and his wife, Mary Jane '57, will transform the rear portion of Parker Chapel into a vibrant center dedicated to supporting the diverse faiths and worldviews of Trinity's community.

The $4 million renovation project, currently in its fundraising phase, has already been backed by a $1 million gift from steering committee member Phil Wetz '73 and his wife, Linda Stoddard Wetz '72, P'11. Renovations will preserve the chapel’s history while creating new opportunities for spiritual reflection, gathering, formation, learning, and community. The project will include flexible and accessible gathering rooms, a fully-equipped kitchen for meal preparation and shared fellowship, enhanced office space, and an elevator for improved accessibility. Updated restrooms and an overhauled HVAC system will ensure the space is as welcoming as it is functional.

Trinity’s chaplain, the Rev. Alex Serna-Wallender '08, M'09, says the renovations to the space are coming at a perfect time.

“We have dramatically expanded both spiritual life programming and engagement on campus over the past six years,” he says. “This chapel was built to be the spiritual center and home on campus, and  the back of the building can be better utilized to meet these growing needs. Through this project we’re aiming to help recenter this purpose with the creation of the Judd Center for Spiritual Life and Formation as a true hub for spiritual life for our campus community, helping to give a place of home and belonging to all those looking to deepen their journeys of faith.”

Raymond, who was pleasantly surprised with the naming by University leadership earlier this year, says he’s looking forward to a continued “spiritual renewal” on campus, and says renovating this space means that “we can truly be open to all people.”

Honoring the Legacy of the Rev. Raymond and Mary Jane Judd

Who better embodies the sense of joy, openness, and impact that will be resonant in this space than the Judds, who have made an impact on life at Trinity that stretches beyond the count of decades?

The Rev. Raymond Judd and his wife, Mary Jane, were beloved mentors and leaders at Trinity University. Known for their unwavering dedication to students and faculty, they embodied the spirit of openness, kindness, and faith that Parker Chapel represents. 

“Mary Jane and I were utterly surprised and overwhelmingly humbled by the naming of the wing,” Raymond says. “And we're glad to be thought of and honored that way.”

Raymond was first invited by President Laurie to assume a new position, as “Minister-in-Charge of Margarite B. Parker Chapel,” and arrived in San Antonio during the summer of 1967 (Judd assumed the full chaplaincy later in his career). He demonstrated a comforting familiarity with the dynamics of campus life, filling many roles as pastor, counselor, teacher, and friend to the Trinity community.

Raymond's deep commitment to fostering spiritual growth and community on campus left an indelible mark on countless students: countless articles, obituaries, and memoirs from the Trinity community are peppered with reference and testimony to Raymond’s lasting impact as a mentor, leader, or profound influence on the lives of those he encountered through (and beyond) his retirement in 1999. And Mary Jane’s warmth and hospitality extended to all who sought a place of comfort or counsel, entertaining hundreds of Trinity students, faculty, and staff yearly at their home for a variety of social functions, including Christmas on Oakmont. 

The Judds’ legacy goes beyond their roles as mentors; they have been constant philanthropic icons at Trinity, leading by example in their support for students and the University's mission. 

The Raymond Judd Student Emergency Fund, established in 2004 by a Trinity alumnus in honor of former university chaplain Raymond Judd, has been used to help bridge the gap for students facing unexpected financial emergencies. The Judd Fund helps students afford food and other necessities, such as unexpected medical care, prescriptions, or emergency plane tickets home. 

Raymond says our roots create an atmosphere of giving, of doing, of helping, of providing for someone. He and Mary Jane are quick to cite examples where giving back transcends time, money, and service. The Trinity University Women’s Club, of which Mary Jane is an active member, has given scholarships and engaged in community service for more than 75 years. 

Naming the new Spiritual Life and Formation Wing after them ensures that their influence will continue to shape the future of Trinity's spiritual life in perpetuity, inspiring generation after generation of compassionate, faith-driven leaders across countless fields.

An Iconic Sense of Place 

Parker Chapel is more than a place of worship; it is a vital part of Trinity University’s architectural and cultural heritage. Built as part of the University’s $50 million Centennial Program, the chapel was the vision of President James W. Laurie, who served from 1951-1970. With the generous support of petroleum pioneer George Parker—whose $1 million gift helped make the chapel a reality—the building was named in honor of Parker’s wife, Margarite B. Parker, a Trinity Trustee since 1945.

Designed by famed architect O’Neil Ford in the spirit of Italian Romanesque architecture, Parker Chapel’s sheer brick walls and overhanging copper roof evoke a “hill-town” motif that defines the mid-point of Trinity’s campus. Throughout the decades, the space has hosted countless significant events, from Christmas Vespers to commencement ceremonies, and has provided a serene and sacred space for personal worship, prayer, and reflection.

This resplendent space plays host to countless significant events and yearly milestones: the annual Christmas Vespers, Ash Wednesday services, commencements, convocations, masterclasses, and weddings, and also serves as a quiet place to reflect. Notably, Parker Chapel also houses the University Chaplain's office, where the Chaplain endeavors to support Trinity in its intention to be an inclusive campus that supports students, faculty, and staff in their faiths and worldviews. 

Renovating the  “back of the Chapel” into dynamic and flexible gathering spaces will continue this legacy by creating new opportunities for the Trinity community to engage deeply with the spiritual traditions, faiths, and practices represented within the University community, and to continue to open new doors for as many students as possible. Importantly, the chapel’s sacred sanctuary itself will remain untouched, preserving the beauty and tradition that has made Parker Chapel a spiritual cornerstone. 

Join the Transformation

As Parker Chapel undergoes this vital renovation, Trinity supporters are invited to learn more about how they can play a role in the future of spiritual life on campus. Join us at Alumni Weekend 2024 to discover how you can contribute to the legacy and development of this dynamic, impactful space. Together, we can ensure that Parker Chapel remains a beacon of faith, community, and spiritual growth for generations to come.

Raymond says that he hopes the renovation helps Parker Chapel transcend and expand upon what a chapel can be on a modern-day campus.

“I love that there are all kinds of reasons for people to come to this chapel. If you don't want to be in a chapel, at least come because it's quiet. Come just sit and wrestle with a problem in that little garden—unless it's really hot and the mosquitoes are bad,” Raymond says. “We want to make this chapel available to anybody who wants to come to a program, to have a discussion, among people of all faith and backgrounds.”

Be part of this transformation:
Contact Monica Martinez for more information or visit the link below. 

Support the Judd Center

Special Thanks to the
Judd Center for Spiritual Life and Formation Steering Committee
Colin Chapman '90
Phil Kistler '89
Christi Shdeed Morrow '92
Marc Raney
Phil Wetz '73, P’11