WBU Alumnus Donates Drawing Of Historic Startup Chapel

(WALNUT RIDGE, Ark.) – Startup Chapel has held a special place in Terry Hatfield’s heart ever since his days as a student at Williams Baptist University. So, the 1975 WBU alumnus put his artistic skills to work and produced a striking picture of the historic chapel, which he recently presented to the university.

“First of all, I wanted to do the drawing because of the memories that that particular building conjured up in not just myself, but a lot of the other students that were in my class,” Hatfield said. “In my life as a Christian, the things that took place in that chapel helped form the person that I am, that God made me into.”

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Hatfield presented the pencil drawing to WBU President Dr. Stan Norman, who said the work will be framed and displayed in a prominent location at the school.

Now retired and living in Heber Springs, Ark., Hatfield exercises his creative abilities as a writer, musician and artist. He says his time at the school, then known as Southern Baptist College, was a transformative experience for him, and he particularly remembers experiences he and friends had in the chapel, such as attending preaching conferences, taking part in choir rehearsals and other memorable moments.

“And so all of those memories are wrapped up in that little building, and I wanted to draw that building for a long time,” he said. “I was trying to pick from several different pictures, but I chose that one, and it came out with my heart in it. I just wanted it to be here at the school because of how special a place this has been in my life.”

Startup Chapel dates back to World War II, when it was built as the military chapel at the Walnut Ridge Army Flying School. The chapel, which has long been a centerpiece of campus life at WBU, was renovated and expanded in 2024. It is named for Dr. Kenneth Startup, who served as a longtime academic dean and history professor at Williams.

“Every generation of students on this campus has memories of Startup Chapel, and Mr. Hatfield has captured both the beauty and the spirit of this iconic building with his artistic skill,” said WBU President Dr. Stan Norman. “We sincerely appreciate him for donating his drawing, and it was wonderful getting to know him during his visit.”

Williams is a private, Christian university in Walnut Ridge.