‘Acts of Destruction Typically Stem from Places of Deep Pain,’ Says WWC Chaplain on Chapel Vandalism
Devin Gildner | December 9, 2021
Special to The Echo | Steve Runholt
Harper Cleaning Group cleaning pews outside of the chapel.
On Monday, November 29, the Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church was vandalized — not to be discovered until the next morning. Someone discharged a fire extinguisher inside the worship space.
The news was broken to students by Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Life, Shannon Spencer, in an email alerting students, staff and faculty to what happened. She also reminded all that there are resources available on campus if folks are having a tough time.
“Together we learn to respect one another and our shared spaces,” wrote Spencer. “This is both a joyful and stressful time of year, for sure, and the pandemic has been hard on us all. If you or anyone you know needs safe space to chat, process, vent, and/or hope, let us know.”
According to Spencer, the chapel was built by student and staff labor in the 1960s, utilizing lumber and stone from Warren Wilson College (WWC) property. It has been the worship space for an independent 501c3 Presbyterian congregation that has a long history of promoting justice, rights and dignity for marginalized communities and groups. The space has also been used for other activities on campus.
To Spencer, the chapel is not only a space of work and worship, but a place of joy.
“Personally I find the chapel to be a gorgeous space — both as a building and for the space it holds for so many,” she said. “It's the gatherings that happen there, the tears that have been cried, the hugs that have been shared, the words that bring joy and affirmation, the rituals that remind us of what's possible.”
When asked about the initial reaction Spencer had when hearing about the incident at the chapel, two words came to her mind: deep sadness.
“In my experience, acts of destruction typically stem from places of deep pain,” Spencer said. “Rarely does anyone go to such lengths immediately. It's sad because more than likely this person/these folks tried in other ways to find healing and relief and weren't able to access it. We all want to be seen and feel heard and understood. When that doesn't happen we look for other ways to be recognized even if it's only our action that gets acknowledged.”
Reverend Steve Runholt, pastor of the Presbyterian congregation, was the first one to discover what happened in the chapel. Grief and sorrow were the initial reactions from Runholt when seeing the place of worship in a damaged state.
“If the seats were not so filthy I would’ve sat down and let my sorrow come out,” Runholt said.
Runholt also sent out a campus wide email, though poorly received by many students, that expressed his grief and promoted a caroling event for the following week.
This is not the first time the Chapel has been vandalized. According to Runholt, the same vandalism of discharging a fire extinguisher happened about 10 years ago. No one has come forward or admitted to that vandalism, so Runholt does not expect anyone to come forward with this one.
After the initial discovery of the vandalism, Runholt contacted Public Safety. Director of Public Safety, John Davidson, arrived at the chapel after Runholt’s call.
“It was horrifying that someone would damage an important part of the campus in this manner,” said Davidson. “… Students have been reaching out to Public Safety with concern and want to find out who did this.”
The folks on campus have come together and responded positively to the vandalism. Hopefully as the campus and church-goers continue to heal from this event, students, staff and faculty will continue to show graciousness and a greater sense of respect for their community.
