Union University Breaks Ground on New Campus Chapel

The university's president says the new worship space will be a visible statement of its Christian identity.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:04pm

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A highly stylized, silkscreen-inspired illustration featuring a repeating pattern of a single, iconic chapel building rendered in a bold, neon color palette, conceptually representing the energy and significance of Union University's new worship space.The vibrant new chapel at Union University will serve as a bold statement of the institution's Christian identity and mission.Jackson Today

Union University in Jackson, Tennessee held a groundbreaking ceremony on April 11, 2026 for a new chapel on the north lawn of the G.M. Savage Memorial Chapel. The ceremony featured worship, remarks from university president Dub Oliver, and prayers over the endeavor. The new chapel is intended to serve as a beautiful and fitting space for the campus community to worship and be formed spiritually.

Why it matters

The new chapel reflects Union University's strong Christian identity and mission. As a private Christian university, the chapel will serve as a visible symbol of the school's commitment to its faith-based values and provide an important space for the campus community to gather for worship and spiritual growth.

The details

The groundbreaking ceremony opened with worship led by students from the UU Worship team, followed by remarks from Union President Samuel W. 'Dub' Oliver. Oliver said the idea for a new worship space began to take shape after the completion of the Logos building in 2015, as the university wanted a chapel as beautiful as its learning spaces. Oliver expressed hope that the new chapel would draw people in and declare Union's identity as a Christ-centered institution. Justin Wainscott, associate dean of the School of Theology and Missions, explained that the chapel will give the campus community a dedicated space to hear God's word and be spiritually formed.

  • The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Friday, April 11, 2026 at 2 p.m.

The players

Samuel W. 'Dub' Oliver

The president of Union University, who spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony about the university's vision for the new chapel.

Justin Wainscott

The associate dean of the School of Theology and Missions at Union University, who explained the significance of the new chapel for the campus community.

Ashtyn Delk

A senior worship leadership major at Union University, who expressed how the new chapel reflects the university's Christ-centered values and sense of unity.

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What they’re saying

“When we finished it, one of the things that really was on our hearts was that we should have a worship space as beautiful as our learning space.”

— Samuel W. 'Dub' Oliver, President, Union University

“You know, what if we were to declare that we're gonna be for Christ, now and forevermore?”

— Samuel W. 'Dub' Oliver, President, Union University

“It gives us a place where we can hear God's word, where we can be formed and shaped. We want it to be as beautiful and as fitting of a space to honor God and hear from Him as we can build and make.”

— Justin Wainscott, Associate Dean, School of Theology and Missions

“I'm hopeful that it will be a place that draws people to just how great God is, even by just looking at it and walking in.”

— Samuel W. 'Dub' Oliver, President, Union University

“I feel like Union is a family and not just different people coming to school or going to college, but it's a body of believers, united under one purpose.”

— Ashtyn Delk, Senior Worship Leadership Major

What’s next

The university plans to hold a dedication ceremony for the completed chapel in the fall of 2027.

The takeaway

The new chapel at Union University will serve as a powerful symbol of the institution's Christian identity and mission, providing a beautiful and sacred space for the campus community to gather for worship, spiritual formation, and fellowship.