Beginnings
In the 1936-37 school year, the Episcopal Student Forum began at the University of Alabama. These meetings were held in the rectory of Christ Episcopal Church in downtown Tuscaloosa. The Student Forum undertook a variety of activities, including discussion of the concerning the place of the Church in the post-war world. In the 1942-43 school year, the Forum began a study of "the race question, with particular attention to relations of white and Negro groups and individuals." Joint meetings with students from Stillman College were held with the goal of considering steps that could be taken to overcome racial prejudice and misunderstanding.
In February 1942, the Canterbury Club was chartered at the University of Alabama. The Rev. Charles H. Douglas served as chaplain and Dr. M.E. Nunn served as Faculty Advisor. In September 1942 Foster House was opened to serve as the Episcopal Student Center. The house was located next to the home of the Rev. Richard S. Watson, rector of Christ Church. The house was named for Dr. Richard Clarke Foster, president of UA, who passed away in November 1941. The house was a former private dwelling that was leased by the Diocese of Alabama. The lower floor consisted of two large rooms, a kitchen, and separate living quarters for the Chaplain. The smaller of the two rooms was used as a library, with the larger being used for meetings, services, and entertainment. Upstairs housed ten Episcopal male students, and rent paid by them provided partial support for the projects of Foster House. On January 24, 1943, regular services of Communion began. The Communion set and linens used were given by Bishop Carpenter. On February 12, 1943, the first issue of the "Canterbury Tales" (which remains the name of Canterbury's newsletter to this day) was published. In 1948, the Rev. George Murray became Chaplain and moved into Foster House with his family.
The 1950’s
On October 15, 1950, "Youth Sunday," ground was broken on the construction of Canterbury Chapel, a student center, and a Chaplain's residence. Bishop Carpenter officiated and was assisted by the Rev. George Murray and the Rev. DuBose Murphy, Rector of Christ Church. The first part of the service was read by the Rev. Murray and the Rev. murphy with responses from the congregation. The students that were preparing for seminary outlined the Chapel area and formed a diagonal cross with string. The Bishop said the traditional words, "Forasmuch as devout and faithful people have taken in hand to build on this ground, now marked with the symbol of Christ, a House to be dedicated to the glory of God, to e known as Canterbury Chapel, wherein the Gospel shall be truly preached, the Sacraments duly administered, and the service of Prayer and Praise offered in this and coming generations; therefore I break ground for this Church; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen." Once this was said, Bishop Carpenter made a cross with the spade at the site of the altar and removed a spadeful of earth. He was followed by the Rev. Murphy; Dr. John Gallalee, President of the University; Mr. Frank Fitts, member of the Building Committee and an early advocate of the building of the Student Center; and the Rev. Murphy; all of whom removed spadefuls of earth. A reception followed at Foster House.
On October 14, 1951, Canterbury Chapel was consecrated. Bishop Carpenter officiated. The Chapel was filled with students and visitors from various parts of the Diocese. Bishop Carpenter preached on "The Romance of the Church Aisle" emphasizing the access Christian people have through their Church to Our Father God, as exemplified by the open Church Aisle running the length of the Church building to the very Altar of God.
The Chapel was 114 feet in length, and was designed for 225 people in the pews and 24 in the choir. The chancel, the largest in Alabama at the time, was the same width as the nave, and could accommodate 20 people kneeling at the altar rail. Connected to the Chapel by a covered cloister was the Student Center, called Canterbury House at the time. Next to Canterbury House was the chaplain's home.
In June 1953, the Rev. George Murray was consecrated Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of Alabama. He had served three years as the Chaplain to the Episcopal Students at Foster House, led the way in the construction of Canterbury Chapel, and served as Chaplain there for two years. In January 1954 the Rev. Emmet Gribbin was named Chaplain, and he and his family moved into the Chaplain's house at Canterbury Chapel.
In August 1954, The Rt. Hon. Geoffrey Francis Fisher, Archbishop of Canterbury, presented a signed portrait of himself to Canterbury Chapel. This presentation was made at the first Anglican Congress in Minneapolis. The portrait was presented to Bishop Murray and the Rev. Gribbin. The portrait was inscribed and signed in the traditional manner by Archbishop Fisher, by writing his Christian name and the Latin name for his Diocese of Canterbury. The inscription read: "To Canterbury Chapel with my blessing. Geoffrey Cantuar." The Archbishop received two pictures of the Chapel, an exterior view and a picture of the altar.
On April 17, 1955, Canterbury Chapel put on a production of medieval Resurrection plays. Canterbury's production was the third such production in America. The Canterbury Chapel choir sung in Latin to medieval plainsong. The costumes were church vestments in use at the time the plays were first presented. The plays ranged from the 9th to the 15th century. Each play was named for the place where it was preserved: St. Gall, Limoges, Winchester, Madrid, Klosterneuberg, and Rouen. The plays related incidents from the Biblical accounts of the morning of the Resurrection. The musical director was Frederick B. Hyde, and the acting director was Harrison Lee.
In 1956, the large frame house and lot and half the driveway going through the block just north of the Chapel was purchased by the Diocese for $25,000. A quarter of this amount was given by Mr. Frank Spain of Birmingham, $5,000 from the United Thank Offering, and the rest by the faculty and staff people who were members of the Chapel. The house was leased until 1960.
Civil Rights
February 1-6, 1956, saw the first attempt to integrate the University of Alabama with the enrollment of Ms. Autherine Lucy. On Monday, February 6, Ms. Lucy was rushed off campus. That morning Ms. Lucy had been transported by University officials from the location of her first class in Smith Hall, to her next class in Graves Hall. The car used belonged to Sarah Healy, Dean of Women, and was driven by Jeff Bennett, assistant to the President. Both Healy and Bennett were parishioners at Canterbury Chapel. The Rev. Emmet Gribbin spent four days moving through the mobs, trying to calm the disturbances and potential violence. On the morning of February 6, the Rev. Gribbin accompanied Arthur Shores through the crowd so that Mr. Shore could drive Ms. Lucy back to Birmingham.
On May 9, 1957, while 120 students and faculty discussed academic freedom at a meeting of the Open Forum, 70 robed KKK members gathered outside Canterbury Chapel. Forming a semi-circle on the grounds of the Chapel, Klan leaders read a statement charging that the Open Forum was a "University of Alabama Liberal and Communist cell." The Klansmen stood silently for about 10 minutes. Then a white-robed Klansman and the only two red-robed members of the group stepped before the gathering.
The group was led in a prayer, which opened with the words, "I thank Thee, Heavenly Father, that I'm white." The Klan statement also said that the Klan did not object to the Forum talking about free speech, but that it did not have "the moral right to use the House of the Lord to indoctrinate the innocent." The Open Forum was established after the campus disturbances over the admission of Autherine Lucy, and held discussions on racial issues. The charter granted to the Open Forum prohibited their use of University buildings. The meeting on May 9 was a panel discussion with Dr. John Luskin of the journalism department; Dr. Iredel Jenkins of the philosophy department; and Miss Judy Means, outgoing editor of the Crimson-White. On May 7, the student legislative body had voted 24-2 to revoke the charter given to the Open Forum.
On April 19, 1961, the Women's Auxiliary of Canterbury Chapel gathered for prayer and discussion. Following this gathering, their intent was to travel to Stillman College to hear a discussion about conditions in Africa by students from Africa enrolled at Stillman College. Prior to the departure from Canterbury Chapel, a group gathered outside the Chapel.
The group that gathered was believed to have been called by the White Citizen's Council, and were there to prevent what they thought was an interracial meeting. The Women's Auxiliary chose not to travel to Stillman College out of concern that the trouble would follow them there. In a letter to the parishioner that was contacted by and gave information to the White Citizen's Council concerning the meeting, the Rev. Gribbin wrote the following:
“But what's done is done. Now let's pick up the pieces. One thing I've learned as a Christian is to disagree with people's ideas but still care for them as people... I feel confident you will in time conclude you have made a mistake in stirring up the White Citizen's Council and the Klan. Perhaps you already regret it. In any case the Episcopal Church is wide enough and big enough to include people with widely different opinions and to hold them together in mutual concern for each other no molter how divergent their views.”
The 1960’s
In 1960, the house adjacent to Canterbury Chapel that was purchased in 1956, was vacated and renamed Murray House in honor of Bishop Murray. That year the Canterbury Kindergarten began downstairs, with two teachers and a maid. Elsie Gribbin was in charge until 1974, when Abbie Woodson took charge. First preference and a reduced rate were given to children of married students. The Kindergarten operated for about 20 years. The upstairs four rooms of Murray House were rented to students.
In July 1973, the Rev. Emmet Gribbin, after nearly 20 years as Chaplain, ended his ministry there to become the Bishop's Deputy for Ministry.
In the mid-1960's, Canterbury Chapel held Folk Music Masses. On April 20, 1967, The Crimson-White described one such of these Folk Masses as follows:
“The occasion was the "Rejoice! Folk Mass," with parts of the Communion Service put to the tune of modern folk music.”
“Three fellows with guitars strummed up in front, and the big organ was silent. The congregation, following the lead of Rev. Emmet Gribbin and 25 strong voices from the big church downtown, ran through the pieces one in practice before launching into the service.”
On May 7, 1964, The Crimson-White commented about Canterbury Chapel with the following:
Other Roads Taken
“Tomorrow's Folk Music Mass at Canterbury House sharpens further, to us, the image of the man who most stands out among the student religious centers' directors.”
“Not to say that the others have not also done their jobs well, but to us Rev. Emmet Gribbin and his program have seemed a most refreshing oasis in this usually tradition-bound area. Tomorrow's program is but one example of the courageous direction the Episcopal center has had. The Christmas program of modern dance is but one other.”
“Further, Rev. Gribbin has not hidden behind the security of his clerical robes when issues become heated. His letter to the editor of the local newspaper concerning the county liquor referendum points this up.”
“College students often cannot be reached by following the old paths. Rev. Gribbin makes new appeals, tries other roads. Canterbury is fortunate to have him.”
1970-1995
In the Summer of 1973, the Rev. Jim Woodson became the third Chaplain at Canterbury Chapel. At this time there were approximately 200 permanent members. Because of the change in the areas surrounding Canterbury Chapel, the Rev. Woodson chose not to live in the Chaplain's House at the Chapel.
In September 1974, the original electronic organ was replaced with a pipe organ from the Holtkamp Organ Company. The organ was centrally placed, and rearrangement of the chancel was required. In Novemeber 1980, the wooden cross that was hung after the installation of the new organ was replaced. The new brass cross was completed and installed. The cross was given in honor of the Rev. Jim Woodson's 25th anniversary of his ordination. The cross was designed by Henry Betak, a parishioner and UA professor of painting. John Rietta of Birmingham was selected to make the cross.
In 1987, through funds provided by the Diocese, substantial renovations and improvements were made to the Chapel. The open space between Canterbury House and the Chapel was filled in to provide an enlarged study for the Chaplain and two rooms for the secretary. The old Murray House was demolished and a new building, also named Murray House, was constructed. This addition included choir rooms, Sunday school rooms, and housing for six students. The Chapel had its windows changed, the balcony at the rear of the Chapel was eliminated, new flooring, air conditioning, kneelers, and other renovations were made. A number of improvements and modernizations were also made in Canterbury House.
In 1995, after 22 years of service as Chaplain, the Rev. Jim Woodson retired.
1995-Present
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The Rev. David Bargetzi
In August 1995, the Rev. David Bargetzi was called as Chaplain and Rector of Canterbury Chapel. Under the Rev. Bargetzi a number of liturgical changes were introduced. A new altar was given, and the altar pace was remodeled. In this remodeling, the altar rails were removed, though altar rails on the side were eventually installed. In January 1997, the Rev. Bargetzi resigned as Chaplain and was called to ministry in the Diocese of Ohio.
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The Rev. Ken Fields
In March 1997, the Rev. Ken Fields was called as Chaplain and Rector. The Rev. Ken Fields served as Chaplain and rector until the Spring of 2008, when he was called to ministry at St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston, TX. In this period of transition, the Rev. Jon Chalmers served as Priest in Charge until April 2009, when he went to become the Associate of Missions and Outreach at Christ Church, Greenville, SC. The Rev. Denson Franklin then served as Interim Chaplain and Rector June and July 2009.
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The Rev. Deacon Dr. Roland Ficken
In October 2002, the Rev. Deacon Dr. Roland Ficken began his ministry at Canterbury Chapel. Deacon Ficken had been a long time parishioner at Canterbury Chapel, and was part of the first class of Vocational Deacons. Deacon Ficken served as the Diocese of Alabama Disaster Relief Coordinator, and worked to coordinate relief efforts after Huricane Katrina and tornados in West Alabama. His ministry at Canterbury included the "Deacon's Deli" Food Pantry and continued work on the Fourth Sunday Food Ministry. Deacon Ficken retired from Canterbury Chapel in 2009.
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The Rev. Marc Burnette
In July 2009, the Rev. Marc Burnette became the sixth Chaplain and Rector of Canterbury Chapel. Before becoming Canterbury's Chaplain, the Rev. Burnette served as the Rector of St. Andrew's Birmingham. The Rev. Burnette studied at the University of Alabama, and was involved in Canterbury Chapel as a student.
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The Rev. Deacon Dr. Cindy Roff
In October 2011, The Rev. Deacon Dr. Cindy Roff, a member of the third class of vocational deacons, began her ministry at Canterbury Chapel. Deacon Roff is a long term parishioner of Canterbury Chapel, and currently is the interim dean of the School of Social Work at the University of Alabama.
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The Rev. Brandt Montgomery
In Spetember of 2012, The Rev. Brandt Montgomery, A graduate of General Theological Seminiary and The University of Montevallo, began his Curacy with Canterbury Chapel. Brandt currently serves as the Curate at Canterbury Episcopal Chapel & Student Center at the University of Alabama. After graduating from Talladega High School in Talladega, Alabama in 2003, Brandt enrolled at the University of Montevallo in Montevallo, Alabama, from which he received the Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Performance, specializing in Trumpet Studies, in 2007. Brandt graduated cum laude from The General Theological Seminary of The Episcopal Church in New York, New York, receiving the Master of Divinity degree and being named his class's recipient of the George Cabot Ward Prize for Biblical Reading and Service to the Church. In addition to Canterbury Chapel, his ministry, thus far, has included service to 6 Episcopal parishes in Alabama, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, and New York. Brandt was ordained as a deacon in the Episcopal Church by the Bishop of Alabama on Pentecost Sunday, May 27, 2012 and, God willing and the people consenting, will be ordained by the same as a priest on December 2, 2012 at Canterbury Chapel.