Homecoming Prayer Walk

We invite you to take part in this campus prayer walk which highlights areas of spiritual significance to Anderson University. You are welcome to do this virtually, praying over our campus from your home, or by physically coming to campus and walking these paths.

Morrison House

Start on College Street in between University Blvd and 5th Street. The Morrison House is located on the west side of the street, in front of Morrison Hall and Myers Hall. 

President John Morrison was first the Principal of the Anderson Bible and Training School in 1923 before becoming President of Anderson University, where he served until 1958. President Morrison was an advocate for the importance of education, even during the Great Depression. Many of the faculty at Anderson College taught during these years without pay, including President Morrison. During this period not one faculty member left Anderson College, because they were so assured of their calling to teach their students in this place. Sam Bathhouse, a Russian immigrant, an AC alum, and grocer whose store was located on the corner of campus, would give groceries to the families of faculty on credit, as many couldn’t afford to pay during this time. It is said that after the Depression, Sam took these IOU’s and threw them all away, not requiring anyone to pay him back. This act of grace, love, and generosity was instrumental in keeping the lights on at Anderson College during the Depression. 

Pray now that this spirit of generosity would be fostered on campus as well as in alumni all throughout the world. May the world know Jesus because of our love and generosity.

Decker/Old Main

Walk south on College Street, toward Park Place Church. Cross the street and stop in front of Decker Hall, on the corner of College Street and E 5th Street. 

Old Main was built in 1906 and housed the workers of the Gospel Trumpet before becoming The Anderson Bible Training School in 1917. The Gospel Trumpet was a newsletter that connected Church of God churches throughout the nation with editorial responses to theological questions, reports, and notifications of regional and national camp meetings. This resource helped grow and unite the Church of God movement in its earliest years. The workers who lived in Old Main first saw the need for workshops and  training classes which expanded into the Anderson Bible Training School and eventually Anderson University. 

Every December faculty and staff continue to gather around the stairways in Decker and sing Christmas carols, reminding students of the greatest gift we’ve ever been given. 

As we stand at Decker Hall, the former location of Old Main, pray for a strong sense of unity and innovation on Anderson University’s campus as we enter our second century of preparing students to serve the church and society.

Reardon Auditorium

Cross E 5th Street and stop in front of Reardon Auditorium, directly across from Decker Hall. 

Reardon Auditorium was built in 1984 and has housed hundreds of chapel services, ceremonies, and community concerts over the years. Chapel has been a distinctive time for the campus community to gather to worship and to learn more about God together. 

Alumni often think of chapel services in which students have encountered God in new ways. For example, Campus Pastor Don Collins brought author and priest Brennan Manning in to speak to students in the 1980’s during Spiritual Emphasis Week, which resulted in powerful altar calls and a renewed spirit on campus.

On September 11, 2001, after experiencing a national tragedy, local churches and high school students gathered alongside AU students, packing the auditorium, as the community sought God together.

Pray now that the presence of the Holy Spirit would be strongly felt by all who enter this place. Pray that the seeds planted in chapel services would be fruitful and grow in good soil as students leave AU, that these truths of God would take root in their hearts and lives.

The Valley

Go back across E 5th Street in front of Decker Hall. Take the path to the right of Decker, in between the Welcome Center and Hartung Hall. As you come to the fountain, Helios, take some time walking around the paths in the valley. 

The Valley is one of the most beautiful places on campus. Filled with large, majestic trees, it reminds us of the importance of staying rooted in Christ. The paths across the Valley remind us of the paths that many students walk during their time at AU. 

Pray now for the relationships that are made while students are here at Anderson University. May this be a place that fosters community and impacts the Kingdom of God. Pray that as students seek education for their future careers, they would also be very aware of their calling that comes from Jesus.

School of Theology and Christian Ministry

As you walk through the valley, make your way over the sidewalk bridge that leads to the School of Theology building, located on the north side of the valley, adjacent to the library and next to the Student Center. 

The School of Theology building was dedicated in June of 1962 and housed classrooms and offices that were previously located in Old Main. Thousands of pastors, missionaries, and leaders in ministry have come through these doors over the years. 

Former Campus Pastor, Don Collins, along with his wife, Gloria, established a course devoted to urban ministry that took students into inner city missions in New York City and Washington DC for two weeks. Students worked alongside the homeless, helped in food centers for the hungry, and worked with Catholic charities. After being a part of this experience, one AU student went home and penned a revised version of the hymn, “I Walked Today Where Jesus Walks.” This student, Gloria Gaither, has continued to write songs and hymns that are sung by the Church around the world. 

I walked today where Jesus walks

Down the crowded streets

Where the children have no place to play

Where the homeless wait

For life to take them in

Yes I walked with Jesus there today

Pray now that students would lean into experiences where they can be the hands and feet of Jesus. May a passion for servant leadership and serving the least of these continue to resonate in the hearts of all who come through this place. 

Baptismal Pool

Turn towards the opposite direction of the School of Theology, and walk up the stairs towards Helios, the fountain. Take the sidewalk on your left that runs parallel to the parking lot. As you near Fine Arts, there is a small spot on the sidewalk where the word “pool” has been written in the cement. Stop here at the former site of the Baptismal Pool. 

This baptismal was used over the years until at least 1922 during Camp Meetings and in the very first years of Anderson Bible Training School. In the early days of AU, this space was a profound symbol of new life in Jesus. 

As you pray, thank God for how many lives have been impacted and transformed by the love of Jesus, thanks to the ministry of this place. Pray for new life and new disciples to continue to come from the ministry and work of Anderson University, rooted firmly in Jesus and guided by the Holy Spirit.

Byrum Hall

Continue walking north toward Bryum Hall. 

During the camp meeting of 1906, a large wind storm came through and blew down the tent that was set up for the meeting. Those gathered decided perhaps that was a sign from God to build a solid structure and tabernacle, thus, Byrum Hall was built in 1908. It was on the stage in this location that the leaders of the Church of God decided that the training courses that were offered should become what is now Anderson University. This is the site of the very origin of our beloved school. 

Pray now for the leadership of AU and for the decisions that impact the mission of this place. May we be good stewards of the responsibility before us.

Dunn Hall

Turn to your right and walk between Byrum Hall and Fine Arts. Cross over University Boulevard, and stop in front of Dunn Hall.

This male residence hall was built in 1954 and was named after Sethard P. Dunn. Dunn was an African American preacher, Anderson University Board member, and host of a religious radio program. It was Dunn who suggested the change of name from Anderson Bible Training School to Anderson College. Dunn Hall is said to be the first major university building in the country to be named after an African American. To put it in perspective, this building was named after Dunn the same year the Brown vs. Education ruling declared that schools should be segregated by race. 

Pray now that Anderson University would continue to be a welcoming place that cultivates peace and justice for all people. Pray for our students to grow in leadership and be people of integrity that bring light to the world.

Kardatzke Wellness Center

Cross the parking lot between Dunn Hall and Rice Hall and take the sidewalk behind Rice Hall. This will lead you to the Kardatzke Wellness Center on your left. 

The Kardatzke Wellness Center opened in 2002 and houses the O.C. Lewis Gymnasium, Bennett Natatorium, the Department of Kinesiology, Sports Medicine, AU athletics and intramural sports program. The Wellness Center is a symbol of AU’s commitment to holistic education and the importance of educating mind, body, and spirit.  

At the beginning of this academic year, students and student athletes gathered together to pray over every athletic field before their seasons began. After the Whistle is a brand new student initiated Campus Ministry that emphasizes the love of sport, Jesus, and service to our community. 

Pray for the holistic education that continues at Anderson University. May excellence be seen in our academics, athletics, and care for the whole student in order to bring glory to God.

Warner Auditorium/Prayer Labyrinth

Now turn and walk down the central sidewalk that leads back to University Boulevard. Turn to your right until you reach Executive Drive. Turn left and walk along Executive Drive until you come to the Prayer Labyrinth on your left, directly across from the flagpoles outside of York Performance Hall. 

Warner Auditorium was constructed in 1962, and featured the world’s largest thin shell concrete dome. The auditorium held 7,200 people and was the site of 43 Church of God Conventions before its demolition in 2006. The Church of God Conventions or Camp Meetings were powerful times of revival and commissioning for those in the Church of God movement. 

The Centennial Prayer Labyrinth was built near this location in 2018 to commemorate Anderson University’s centennial year and to mark this location on campus as the former grounds of Warner Auditorium. These grounds are soaked with the prayers of those who have gone before us. Pray now that Anderson University will continue to be a place of prayer that is connected to God and for a renewal and revival to spark in the lives of our students, staff, and faculty. 

For more information on these events and places, check out:

https://omeka.anderson.edu/exhibits/show/andersoncampus 

Robert H. Reardon’s “Holy Places” 

Tim State’s “Stories that Shaped our DNA” 

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Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.