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Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel

History

The Friends of the Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel was organized on September 5, 1982 by former Alumni Trustees Mrs. Esther G. Pollard and Dr. Timothy Jenkins, Esq. at the request of Howard University President Dr. James E. Cheek.

The goal of the organization was to foster and encourage the mission of the Chapel, its campus ministries and outreach, as well as to act in a support capacity to the Dean of the Chapel. The organizing members consisted of faculty, students, staff, alumni and members of the Washington, DC community.

Friends of the Chapel Organizing Members

  • Dean Evans E. Crawford 
  • Mrs. Elizabeth Crawford 
  • Dr. H. Elsie Austin
  • Mrs. Anne S. Drew
  • Dr. Shirley G. Evans
  • Dr. Timothy L. Jenkins 
  • Mrs. Amy Johnson
  • Mr. Paul Johnson III
  • Ms. Marsha Moore
  • Mrs. Anita Moore-Hackney
  • Mrs. Teixeira Nash
  • Mrs. Esther G. Pollard
  • Ms. Bea Pace Smith
  • Mrs. Lucille Stuberville
  • Dr. Estelle W. Taylor
  • Dr. Ivan E. Taylor
  • Dr. Michael Winston 
  • Dr. M. Wharton Young

Beginning Years for the Friends of the Chapel

Dr. Shirley Graham Evans assumed the Chairmanship of the Friends and greatly expanded the Friends’ mission.

A fundraising activity for the year-long Centennial Celebration for the Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel, co-chaired by Dr. Estelle W. Taylor, was initiated and culminated in the stained glass window, designed and installed by Mr. Ron Akili Anderson, with the assistance of the Friends.

Rankin Chapel Stained Glass

The window depicts the first three Deans of the Chapel: Dr. Howard W. Thurman, Dr. Daniel G. Hill and Dr. Evans E. Crawford.

Mrs. Anita Moore-Hackney became Chair in 1998 and reinstated the “Sundays at the Chapel” programs, which included the Centennial Celebration of Duke Ellington in collaboration with the Division of Music in the College of Arts and Sciences. Chairmanship of the Friends continued with Dr. Donna Grant-Mills, Dr. Valerie Maholmes, and Willie-Lloyd Reeves, Esq., who is the current Chairman.

Through the leadership of this stellar group of volunteers, the Friends has mounted programs in collaboration with the Office of the Dean including Heritage Sunday, the Candlelight Prayer for the Nation, and Alumni Sunday.

Become a Friend of the Chapel

We invite you to help preserve the ministry and legacy of the Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel by becoming a Friend of the Chapel.
Join Today!