Yesterday's Washington Post had a piece by two alumni of W&M, Andrew  
and Constance McRoberts, with some interesting background to the  
story. According to them, when the 275 year old Wren Chapel was built  
"and for years thereafter", the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer,  
and the Ten Commandments were "emblazoned" on the wall behind the  
alter, "as required by Anglican law." When the chapel was refurbished  
in the 1930s, the inscriptions behind the altar were not restored,  
but shortly after, the 18 inch bronze cross was installed. So it has  
been a Christian chapel since it was built. Until recently, anyone  
who wanted to use the chapel "cross free" could do so, the cross  
would be removed for the function. According to these writers, it was  
a practice consistent with those at other colonial colleges, and  
every president of W&M had accepted it. The new president Nichol  
ordered the cross removed and stored and brought out only for  
"appropriate religious services" because it was "unwelcoming." They  
also note that President Nicol was a former ACLU chapter president  
and state board member. Now personally, I feel the ACLU has done some  
good things, but I also think they can be too myopic, and have gone  
overboard many times as well. The fact that this fellow has an ACLU  
background says a lot, IMHO.

Nancy

To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions
at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html