Article by Payton Stringer and Danielle Wheelan

Religion has been a part of Drury University since its founding, and has played a role in the lives of countless students. The vast differences in religion at a liberal arts school provide a variety of unique perspectives.

Some of the largest religious representation on Drury’s campus comes from Christians. Springfield, Mo. houses the international headquarters of the Assemblies of God and is considered one of the top 10 most Bible-minded cities according to Christian research team, Barna Group.

The Diversity Center. Photo by Wheelan.

Michaela Remijio, senior Advertising/Public Relations major, is an active member of The Vine on campus, one of Drury’s Christian organizations.

“I wish people knew how open and willing we are at The Vine to meet new people,” Remijio said. “Ultimately, I’m a part of my faith because I want to grow more like Jesus and have a community of fellow believes to lean on when I’m hurting or messing up.”

Remijio isn’t alone in her representation of her faith. Cru, The Vine, Disciples on Campus and Catholic Campus Ministry – Drury’s four religious organizations – boast large memberships and host events on campus. All clubs are open to anyone who wishes to become involved.

Disciples on Campus, comprised of Disciples of Christ students and headed by the Chaplain’s Office, hosts a variety of events on campus that are open to students of all faiths. Tully Beard, senior Fine Arts and Arts Administration major, is one of the students who helps organize these events, including Food and Faith.

However, not every student has an organization that represents their faith on campus. Megan Dern, senior Strategic Communication major, is one example. Dern is of the Jewish faith, which lacks an organization at Drury.

“Since there are no Jewish student groups on campus, it’s pretty difficult to be a Jewish student here,” Dern said. “There is a Jewish student organization at Missouri State and they’re pretty welcoming to outside students joining and participating in activities because they know that there is no other organization for students at other universities in Springfield.”

Dern makes the drive to the local Temple if she cannot go home for Jewish holidays, but pointed out that the nearest temple is in Rogersville, making it difficult to visit frequently.

Dern also mentioned the struggles of having to miss class for Jewish holidays, especially if a professor was unfamiliar with the holiday and did not understand the importance of attendance.

There are still students on campus who possess no faith at all. Alex Johnson, senior Political Science major, is one example. Johnson identifies as a Christian Atheist, using the Christian prefix due to being raised in the Christian identity, though he does not adopt the Christian beliefs as his own.

“I wish people knew that morality is not connected with religion,” Johnson said. Johnson, who is engaged in local politics, insists that his lack of faith does not make him any less of a moral person.

Beard also felt it important to point out how her faith impacts her moral compass.

“I wish people knew how accepting and wonderful my church community is. So many people are turned away from faith because of a bad experience, like getting shunned or kicked out for being LGBTQ+ for example, and I wish that everyone who had a terrible experience like that could know that [we] are here to welcome them with open arms.”

Others saw their faith as something outside of themselves, something that connected them to a greater narrative.

“Being Jewish is more than having faith,” Dern said. “It’s a culture as well as a faith. There is tradition, language and history.”

Of all of the students interviewed, one theme in particular stuck out. Whether they were faithful or not, their choice in religion played an inalienable role in their lives and the way that they saw the world. For some students, their faith was paramount to their selves, while for others, it was only a small facet of themselves.

“I try to do as much as I can to represent my faith on campus because it will always be my identity and first priority,” Remijio said. “I am passionate about being a Christ-follower and sincerely hope that how I am choosing to live my life will encourage others to follow Jesus too.

Beard felt this importance in her life as well.

“My religion is so important to me because it advocates for equality and for justice and for wholeness in a fragmented world. My religion is a place to question, a place for fellowship, and a place to cultivate love.”

Johnson found a drive in his atheism to push forward in life.

“It means I have to act. I have a finite life, and all meaning is contingent, so we’re just drifting around in this void and we have the ability to create and to flourish in it. We just can’t be apathetic to the world around us.”

Drury’s religious background

According to Dr. Peter Browning, professor of philosophy and religion chaplain at Drury, one can’t discuss the university’s academic freedom without talking about its connection to God.

“It is something that is essential to our identity and has been maintained throughout the years,” said Browning.

Drury was founded by the New England Congregationalists in 1873. They were abolitionists against slavery and progressive in their commitment to women’s rights. In fact, some of the first faculty were women and the first graduating class at Drury included five students, all of them female. The founders were, even though Christian, were non-secular. They encouraged people of all faiths to attend the institution.

Samuel Drury, the man Drury is named for, may have gave the institution its first $25,000 but is more known for his moral compass being faith based. He helped to create Drury’s first mission statement and pushed for inclusivity for women, and all religions and races. Keep in mind this was happening only eight years after the end of the Civil War.

To Browning, this is history that should not be forgotten by the Drury community.

“So many institutions are embarrassed by their heritage and I think that Drury is in somewhat of an enviable position by having a heritage we can largely celebrate,” said Browning.

He also believes it was Drury’s core values that attracted him to first teach at the university.

Browning, the son of a pastor, grew up within the Disciples of Christ, which is the same denomination that is now associated with Drury. He explained that he quickly learned that Christians have responsibilities to do good and support social justice – a hot topic that Drury continually tackles in the community by offering community service projects, fundraising opportunities and open-discussion talks.

They were founded because they rejected all the divisions in the other Christian denominations. Their primary goal is to address people’s various needs by partnerships, not conversion to the Christian Faith. They have always emphasized Christian unity and, in recent years, interfaith dialogue.

Stone Chapel. Photo by Wheelan.

He encouraged students to attend the university’s The Open Table, an informal Christian worship experience that includes scripture, prayer and featured speakers or performers each week. In Oct., tentatively Oct. 10, The Open Table has invited a man of Hindu faith to come inform the goers of Hinduism.

“We are recognizing others as a common humanity and developing relationships with one another. I think that is most important,” said Browning.

Places of worship on campus

There are several campus locations and organizations where you can practice your faith.

One of the most recognizable chapels on campus is Stone Chapel and is one of the oldest buildings on campus. Its name isn’t synonymous with its limestone façade, but because of the woman who gave money to build it, Mrs. Valerie Stone.  She was the aunt to a female study studying at Drury and was committed to the high education of both women and African Americans.

The first stone of the chapel was laid on Nov. 16, 1880 making it the oldest stone building in Springfield. Today, Stone Chapel is now a favorite location for weddings, receptions, and religious study.

Another place of worship is, arguably, is the most obvious: Drury’s Diversity Center. The diversity center is in the historic Washington Avenue Baptist Church, which even though the name is a misnomer, is non-denominational and open to all faiths for use.

The center’s name stems from its unique past. Until the early 90s, the church held an African American congregation. The building was in disrepair and its congregation was growing rapidly.

Drury offered them a deal: We will buy you a new church in a different location and we will move your historic building to a more suitable location which will be open for use to your congregation and Drury students. They accepted.

According to Browning, the church was moved “brick by brick” to its current location and a new infrastructure was added to bring the church back its original glory. Its old location is now the home of the Trustee Science Center.

Today, it is used by many for community discussions and faith gatherings. It stands as a testament to Drury’s attention to historic preservation and its devotion to faith.

Religious groups on campus include the The Vine, The Open Table and the Matthew 25 Project.

The Vine is a college ministry that allows anyone to join with no prerequisites or fees. The meet every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in Washington Avenue Baptist Church.

Also on Tuesday is The Open Table. It is an informal Christian worship experience from noon until 12:30 p.m. Lunch is provided and free for students.

The Matthew 25 Project is a relatively new organization whose project vision is based on the bible passage of Matthew 25 verses 35-36: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you invited me in; I needed clothes and you clothed me; I was sick and you looked after me; I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

The Matthew 25 Project combines both life talks, service projects and bible studies for an encompassing group of events.

Renovations in the works

For some time, renovation plans have been underway to make the Diversity Center a neutral space for all to come and worship, regardless of religion.

According to Browning, the plan is to hopefully input a card system so students can openly go into the diversity system at most hours.

“I think it’s a great idea to be inclusive as possible,” said Browning.

No concrete dates for the renovations have been set. For more information on the subject, you can contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at rthomas005@drury.edu.