Celebrating our 85th Anniversary

“While a bright future beckoned they freely gave their lives and fondest hopes for us and our allies that we might learn from them courage in peace to spend our lives making a better world for others.” — Inscription in the Memorial Room of the Memorial Church of Harvard University.

Please join the Memorial Church of Harvard University on Nov. 11 & 12 to celebrate the 85^th anniversary of the dedication of the church. As we celebrate this anniversary, we especially honor those who have served and continue to serve.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Veterans Day Service — A service to commemorate Veteran’s Day will be held on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. Held in conjunction with the Harvard Veterans Alumni Organization, the service will include a re-dedication of the Memorial Church sanctuary and the unveiling of a new memorial plaque to honor four World War II chaplains. Rabbi Arnold E. Resnicoff, Captain, Chaplain Corps, U.S. Navy, Retired, will speak.

“The Big Parade” Film Screening with Live Improvised Musical Accompaniment —  The evening of Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. features a screening of the epic World War I silent film “The Big Parade” with live improvised musical accompaniment by famed organist Peter Krasinski. This event is co-sponsored by the Harvard Organ Society.

Faith & Life Forum — Join us on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 9:30 a.m. for the Faith & Life Forum, which explores matters of faith and public life. This term, we will explore the theme of "Redefining Success: Living a Life of Sacrifice and Service” through readings, discussion, interviews, and lectures. Our featured speakers will be military couple Emily Hannenberg, Assistant Professor of Military Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and former Army Capt. Rachel Neasham. 

85th Anniversary / Commemoration of Benefactors and the War Dead — On Sunday, Nov. 12 at 11 a.m., we will hold our 85^th Anniversary / Commemoration of Benefactors and the War Dead service. This service remembers all those Harvard men and women who served and those that built this community who have gone before us. The Honorable Seth Moulton ’01, MBA-MPA ’11, United States House of Representatives, will preach. Anthem selections include music commissioned by Harvard University — To the River Charles (Schachter ’09) and I Beseech You Therefore, Brethren (Phillips).

Choral Evensong — On Nov. 12 at 4 p.m., we will hold a service of Choral Evensong in Appleton Chapel, sung by the Harvard University Choir in recognition of the 85th anniversary of the dedication of Memorial Church, honoring all who have served.

All events are free and open to the public and will be held in the Memorial Church Sanctuary, One Harvard Yard, Cambridge, MA unless otherwise noted.

ABOUT THE MEMORIAL CHURCH OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY

The Memorial Church of Harvard University was dedicated on Armistice Day 1932 in memory of those who died in World War I, a gift from the alumni to the University. Memorials have been added to remember those who have died in the wars since; the names of more than 1,100 Harvard War Dead are now inscribed on the walls of the church. The Memorial Church, part of a vibrant interfaith network of Harvard University, is a multi-denominational Protestant church in the midst of Harvard Yard that serves as a place of spiritual refuge to the entire community. “MemChurch” stands opposite Widener Library as a visible reminder of the historical and spiritual heritage that has sustained Harvard for nearly four centuries.