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