The above photo is a rear view of the Chapel at the Christian Medical College, Vellore at the Bagayam campus. The corridor of the chapel joins with the Women's hostel on the right and with the college building on the left.
This setting of the chapel connecting the living space and learning space intrigued me over these years. Someone who knew a lot about Dr Ida Scudder by researching into her life suggested to me that Dr Scudder might have wanted to symbolise the chapel as God's presence connecting the living and learning experiences of students.
St Paul in his sermon addressing the philosophers and wise men from Mars hill in Athens said '.. in Him we live and move and exist..' (Acts of the apostles 18:28). I find a connection between the dream of Dr Ida Scudder and St Paul's statement.
It is God who facilitates our living and learning !
The Chapel connecting the living space of the hostel and the class rooms of learning is profoundly significant because the living and learning are symbolised as God centred experiences!
Even after 125 years, the Christian Medical College earnestly practices a God-centric view of life, living and learning!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
Beautiful reflection, Dr. Mathew. Growing up as a staff kid at CMC, the Bagayam chapel was part of my earliest memories—it quietly shaped my understanding of faith woven into daily life. Your reminder that “in Him we live and move and have our being” feels especially vital for students in their formative years, when living and learning are being shaped side by side.
ReplyDeleteHow fitting, too, that Dr. Scudder’s favorite hymn, Be Thou My Vision, still echoes through your reflection—“Thou my best Thought, by day or by night.” The chapel linking hostel and classrooms captures that truth so well: God’s presence bridging our daily life and lifelong calling. Thank you for rekindling that vision of worship and work held together in Christ, where hearts and minds are trained for God’s healing mission.