Virginia College Compromises on Chapel Cross

March 6, 2007 - 5:25pm

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - A compromise announced Tuesday will permanently return a brass cross to the chapel at the College of William and Mary several months after the president's decision to remove the cross caused an outcry.

The 18-inch brass cross will be displayed prominently in a glass case, based on a recommendation made by a committee of alumni, students and others that President Gene R. Nichol created to study the issue.

Nichol and the school's Board of Visitors accepted the recommendation.

"This has been a challenging task for the committee, but it has produced a compromise that allows for permanent display of the cross in the chapel, while remaining welcoming to all."

The cross had sat on the altar since about 1940.

Nichol removed the cross to make Wren Chapel more welcoming to students of all faith. That prompted outrage by students and alumni.

Nichol and the school's Board of Visitors accepted the recommendation.

"This has been a challenging task for the committee, but it has produced a compromise that allows for permanent display of the cross in the chapel, while remaining welcoming to all."

The cross had sat on the altar since about 1940.

Nichol removed the cross to make Wren Chapel more welcoming to students of all faith. That prompted outrage by students and alumni.

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