Since time immemorial student ministry at PCU has always been part and parcel of university life and this is often complemented by the presence of various religious organizations bearing different names and representing a variety of sectarian orientations. When this school was established 57 years ago, our sponsoring churches (the United Methodist Church and the United Church of Christ in the Philippines), presented their common vision to make it a center of Christian higher learning in this part of the country. This meant basically the molding of Christian character among our students by equipping them with all the lasting values of our faith. Liturgy and worship, for example, were envisioned to accompany all facets of academic life if the school is indeed committed to the promotion of the spiritual well-being of everyone in the community.

Today that vision still awaits fulfillment. The molding of Christian character among the youth is all order that requires a serious rethinking of our present methods and strategies. Our pursuit of moral and spiritual renewal must be aided by religious edifices that would serve as concrete by symbols of divine presence. For one, liturgical activities and religious celebrations can be more meaningful when they are held within the confines of a real chapel that is adorned by the liturgical symbols and icons of the Christian faith.

Over the years, the auditorium located on the ground floor of the old Union Seminary building, has been the regular venue of all spiritual functions such worship, prayers and other major religious events. But the auditorium is by no means the exclusive site of spiritual exercises. It serves a number of purposes for the school community being the only function room which has enough spare for more or less three hundred people. No wonder, despite our strong emphasis on our need for constant spiritual renewal, worship and liturgical life remain an activity for quite a few and religious life as a whole remains along the margins of campus life.

In other words, what we need is a school chapel that stands prominently on campus grounds. More than just a symbol of strong Christian presence, the university chapel is a sound reminder that all our strivings for earthly knowledge and success would be futile until we acknowledge the one Source of Love and Life from whom all blessings flow. As the scriptures put it, “No one lives by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Indeed, divine wisdom is greater that all our academic accomplishments and degrees put together.

If we are to create a pervasive spiritual life on campus, we need a chapel that can provide a center for all moral and religious functions. We must take the challenge of campus ministry more seriously by providing our school community with a center where all religious activities and liturgical celebrations may be held. A Christian university must project a truly Christian character consistent with its visions and this must be matched by a corresponding symbol of Christian presence.