The Chesnutt Chapel Is Dedicated

The Rev. Dr. James H. Chesnutt (pictured third from left) was honored on April 23 at a dedication ceremony for the Chesnutt Chapel (formerly the Clinton Hall Art Gallery). Members of his family were present to celebrate the special occasion. Said the Rev. Peter Amerman, school chaplain, “The reinvention of an old space will provide us with an appropriate facility for students and faculty to frequent for quiet time during the week, and a place that will host our Sunday vespers services throughout the year.”

The program contained the following description of Jim: “For more than 30 years, Jim has been a devoted servant to both the Church and to Blair. It is because of his dedication and his vision for this Chapel that we honor him today with the naming of our new meditation space–The Chesnutt Chapel.”

The program also noted, “Jim Chesnutt is retired from the Presbytery of Newton after being the Executive Presbyter for 25 years. He graduated from Lake Forest College with a degree in economics, magna cum laude, Princeton Theological Seminary with a master’s of divinity in 1954, and McCormick Theological Seminary with a doctorate of ministry in 1976. Jim served as president of the Blair Academy Corporation from 1971 to 1995 and served on the Board of Trustees from 1963 until 1995. Jim’s wisdom and commitment to the school have been evident in a variety of ways, including his leadership in the reconfiguration of the relationship between the school and the Presbytery of Newton. He continues to lend his wise counsel as an emeritus member of the Board.”

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