The Secularization of the Chaplaincy: A Brief History of the Columbia University Chaplaincy, 1908–1969

Abstract

Abstract On July 8 1969, Columbia University ended its 200 year-old official relationship with the Episcopal Church. Columbia’s President Andrew Cordier announced that a ‘reorganization of religious life at Columbia’ was necessary and that ‘religious life on campus must be responsive both to the changing needs of . . . the university community and to the changing climate of religious life in society at large’. As a result, Columbia would abolish the position of University Chaplain; the Earl Hall Center for Religion and Life at Columbia University would replace the University Chaplaincy, and a director instead of a chaplain would assume responsibility for the institution. The university would continue to ‘offer hospitality to denominational activities’, but university funds and facilities would be used ‘primarily to strengthen and to develop programs and resources of non-sectarian nature’.