Steeped in tradition

Bells will be ringing -- wedding bells that is -- in celebration of love on IU's campus. \nThe Beck Chapel, located between Ballantine Hall and the Indiana Memorial Union, has proven to be an ideal location to say "I do." \nAnd not only does the chapel appeal to IU alumni, but high profile politicians, as well. \nAccording to IU archives, the chapel caught the attention of the Kennedy family. A mass took place there for the family when they were in Bloomington for Robert Kennedy's wedding.\nThe little chapel is constructed of limestone with a slate roof and 16 golden oak pews. Six small stained-glass windows illuminate the quaint atmosphere as the sun shines through. According to IU archives, the stained-glass windows were donated by Linda and Mark Wisen -- a couple that was married in the chapel in 1960. Because the Wisens wanted to do something special for their 25th wedding anniversary, they donated the money for the windows as a wedding present to each other.\nAccording to the IU archives, Dr. Frank Beck, a 1894 IU graduate, came up with the idea of having a chapel on campus. He wanted to provide the campus with a place where students could individually meditate and worship. \nSophomore Kiki Kapral enjoys the small, personal setting.\n"When I had a friend in town we went there to talk," said Kapral. "It's a small and peaceful place."\nBut Assistant Archivist Dina Kellams was one of the many that took advantage of Beck Chapel for a very special day.\nKellams met her husband Steven as a freshman at IU. The two fell in love and decided to celebrate their commitment to each other on campus where their love began. \nThe couple married in the Beck Chapel in May of 1998, two weeks after graduation. \n"Although our parents don't live here, we knew we wanted to get married in Bloomington, because this is where we live," Kellams said. "We didn't consider any other locations, because neither of us belonged to a church. We chose the chapel, because we were both alumni and knew how cute the place was."\nRachelle Flici, another IU alumna, recently celebrated her nine-year wedding anniversary to her husband. The two were married Dec. 2, 1995 at the Beck Chapel. \nFlici didn't look at many other locations for her wedding. She knew she didn't want a true, church wedding, but something small and unique. She and her husband met while overseas, so at the time of the engagement, he had not been in the country very long. \nHaving graduated from IU, Flici possessed a strong connection to the campus.\n"My husband thought Indiana was a great school and wanted one of us to have a personal connection to the wedding location," Flici said. "The chapel is just such a neat place. It was the perfect place for a small, cozy wedding." \nAnd for Kellams, the size of the location makes a huge difference -- another reason she and her husband chose the Beck Chapel. The small atmosphere of the chapel contributed to making her wedding day a personal one.\n"It was easy to keep the numbers down for the guest list. I think we could only fit 40 or 50 people in there, tops," Kellams said. "The chapel felt very welcoming and comforting since it was completely full with close family and friends."\nFlici would agree that the ceremony was very private, due to the smaller atmosphere. \nThe celebration was extra-special because the chapel was completely full of friends and family. Her guests were able to share in the couple's experience. \nAs for making her ceremony a personal one, Flici accessorized with white lights to enhance the atmosphere and Christmas season. \nMoney isn't a huge issue when considering Beck Chapel.\nThere is a $50 registration fee, which pays for the use and services of the organist. \nThe Kellams' even took advantage of the chaplain. Couples can either use the provided chaplain or bring in their own.\n"My husband was fine with the fee and happy that we didn't have to hunt for a chaplain," Kellams said. "Everything was very convenient -- including the parking."\nThe weddings were a success for both couples and the memories they have will always be a reminder of their time at IU.\nKellams has the chance to walk past the chapel and relive her special day quite a bit, since she works on campus. She feels lucky to recall all the wonderful memories -- something she would not be able to do if she were married in any other place.\n"For someone who gets married in their parents' hometown, they don't have the chance to see or visit the church as often," Kellams said.\nFlici is not as lucky, due to the fact that she now resides in Virginia, but, the memories are still there.\n"Marrying in the chapel created one more great memory of Bloomington. We got married there, we had our first son there and I had my first job there. It is just such a beautiful setting," Flici said.\n-- Contact staff writer Megan George at mrgeorge@indiana.edu.