Penn State Intercom......September 20, 2001

New chapel setting
for pipe organ

Worship services at the newly completed Larry and Kathryn Smith Chapel at Penn State Erie will include the sound of a pipe organ, thanks to the generosity of Larry and Kathryn Smith, donors of the multi-faith chapel.

The couple recently agreed to purchase the organ in honor of their children, Kevin and Colleen.

The organ will be built by the Martin Ott Pipe Organ Co. of St. Louis. With a design specific to the construction of the chapel, the organ will have 23 rows of pipes and 21 stops, or types of sound, available. The organ case, with mortise and tenon construction, will be oak. Most of the 1,208 pipes will be built by a German pipemaker, but the wind reservoir and the toe studs will be built by Organ Supply Industries in Erie. It will be completed in June 2003.

In 1998, Larry Smith, owner of Automation Devices Inc., and his wife, Kathryn, provided funds to build the bell tower and multi-faith chapel at Penn State Erie. The pledge included use of funds from an unrestricted gift made by Smith's late parents, Floyd and Juanita Smith, more than a decade ago. The decision to include a bell tower and 48-bell carillon in the construction resulted from a comment by the Floyd Smith when he visited the campus 15 years ago.

"Every university needs a bell tower," he said.

In May, Larry and Kathryn Smith visited Meeks and Watson, a foundry in Georgetown, Ohio, to see the bells for the carillon being cast. The carillon, which is expected to be in operation in the summer of 2002, will be one of fewer than 100 nationwide with 48 or more bells. The largest bell will weigh in excess of 1.3 tons.

The program statement called for the chapel's design to "inspire reverence, awe, contemplation and peace." With more than 30 religious traditions represented at the college, the chapel is designed to serve students of all faiths.

The chapel, except for the carillon and organ, is now available for use by students.

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