Seventy-five years ago this month, Wittenberg College dedicated the newly renovated chancel of the college chapel on the second floor of Recitation Hall. Re-named Hiller Memorial Chancel, the renovation was made possible by a gift from Professor Robert Hiller鈥檚 widow.
Robert Hiller earned degrees from Wittenberg College (1889), Hartford Seminary (1894) and Columbia University (1910) and received an honorary doctorate from Muhlenberg College (1930). He taught Greek at Wittenberg from 1911 to 1943, and was equally well known as a lover of the arts: a poet, an artist, a singer, a musical director and a composer. His paintings included portraits of two Wittenberg presidents, and his compositions included the Wittenberg Hymn and Alma Mater.
Professor Hiller died in 1944, and four years later Mrs. Hiller funded the renovation of the chapel chancel. That renovation included a new sacristy and organ room, new lighting and a new altar. The pulpit and lectern were gifts from St. James Lutheran Church in New York City, to whom the Hiller family had donated them years before. Light oak paneling gave the chancel its distinctive tone.
The dedication service included organ pieces by J.S. Bach and Henri Mulet, as well as Hiller鈥檚 Wittenberg Hymn and Alma Mater, all played by Mrs. Ruth Whittington, the campus organist.
Some sources: Robert Hiller, Along the Way and Other Poems; Springfield News-Sun, May 23, 1943 and February 8, 1948; Robert Hiller, The Odyssey of Homer.
About The Project
With Wittenberg now celebrating its 175th year, and the University unable to hold regular in-person classes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Professor of History Thomas T. Taylor has started circulating several pieces on Wittenberg's history. Some originated in earlier series, either This Month in Wittenberg History or Happy Birthday Wittenberg. Others have their origin in the Wittenberg History Project or in some other, miscellaneous project. Sincerest thanks to Professor Taylor for connecting alumni, faculty, staff, and students through a historic lens.