The Stained- glass Windows in the University of South Dakota Danforth Meditation Chapel

Constructed in 1954, the Danforth Meditation Chapel at the University of South Dakota (USD)  is one of 15 university chapels funded in part by Danforth Foundation founded by  William H. Danforth, owner of the Ralston Purina Company, and his wife. According to Danforth files in Buildings (USD Archives, USD Archives and Special Collections), a Corporation was formed to aid in collecting funds, hiring an architect, and overseeing the construction of the building. Several designs were suggested including some very modern. The final design, rendered by architect Professor Harold Brookman, was accepted and the subsequent building constructed. At the time of the building dedication, the windows in the building were not stained glass.

According to a May 10, 1962,  Vermillion Plain Talk article, memorial stained-glass windows were installed in the chapel during March of that year. A formal dedication ceremony was held on May 13, 1962. The article goes to describe the origin of the colorful geometric patterned stained-glass windows comprised of  antique glass pieces from several European counties.  Gaytree Studios from Minneapolis, Minnesota designed and installed the windows. The Danforth Chapel Corporation was instrumental in fundraising and management of this project.

Remarkable are the quality and beauty of the windows located at the façade, sides and back of the chapel. Especially striking is the fan-shaped transom window above the front entrance to the chapel. Many donors contributed towards the completion of this project. Under each window is a bronze plaque denoting the donor and the persons in whose memory the window was donated.

Over the years several organizations including the Faculty Women’s Club members (USD Archives, USD Archives and Special Collections) contributed to the maintenance of the windows. Today, the University of South Dakota manages the building used by many individuals for religious and meditation purposes. The beautiful stained-glass windows contribute to the character of this small and iconic building.

A recent photograph of Danforth Chapel on the USD campus.

The transom stained-glass window above the entrance to the chapel.

A stained-glass window located on the west side of the chapel. Below the window is the small bronze plaque denoting the donor of the window and whose memory the window was donated.