How Baylor’s Christian faith is literally built into our campus
At Baylor, our Christian faith is not something we hold lightly — it’s at the core of everything we do. From providing resident chaplains in each residence hall, to keeping Chapel a core part of student’s experiences, to providing intentional spaces for spiritual nurturing, our Christian faith remains a vital part of everyday life at Baylor.
That faith is also quite literally built into our campus. From stained glass windows to Scriptures on buildings and walkways, here are six examples of how our physical campus reflects Baylor’s Christian faith:
Scriptures Across Campus: If you walk across campus you will find scripture engraved on countless buildings, sidewalks, plaques and bricks. For example: The exterior of Pat Neff Hall, the most iconic building on campus, reads “Wisdom is greater than rubies,” a nod to Proverbs 8:11. Pat Neff’s famous bells are engraved with Psalm 27:14, and Matthew 7:17 is engraved under a tree in East Village. The Word is also literally a path for Baylor students’ feet, with Scriptures embedded along walkways (like in North Village) and in brick pavers (like those outside McLane Stadium and the Hurd Welcome Center).
Crosses: The ultimate symbol of Christ’s death and resurrection, empty crosses top multiple buildings on campus (including Robbins and Elliston chapels and Truett Seminary’s main steeple. A seven-foot “Empty Cross” sculpture also sits outside Truett, with its hollow design signifying that Jesus passed from crucifixion to resurrection.
Religious Stained Glass Windows: In multiple buildings across campus, religious stained glass windows reflect Biblical stories. In Robbins Chapel, the stained glass depicts Christ’s crucifixion, and windows in Truett’s Powell Chapel show other Biblical scenes. Behind the pulpit in Elliston Chapel is a beautiful stained glass depiction of the “daylight on high,” as described in the Gospel of Luke.
Tidwell Bible Building: Tidwell is a physical symbol of Baylor’s mission to uphold the Biblical truth at the center of our work. Sixty-eight limestone panels, each weighing a ton and carefully carved by talented craftsmen, tell the story of the Bible (both Old and New Testament) in a panorama twice encircling the building.
Christ statue: A “Kneeling Christ” statue has resided on campus for decades, inside the Quadrangle and more recently just outside Truett Seminary. The artwork depicts Jesus kneeling while looking up to heaven with his palms held skyward.
Chapels and other “sacred spaces”: From literal chapels (Elliston, Robbins, Powell, McCall) to faith-focused spaces (Bobo Spiritual Life Center) to gardens, foyers and others spaces for prayer, you can’t walk very far on Baylor’s campus without finding a spot intentionally designed for prayer and worship.
Such symbols both reflect Baylor’s Christian faith and serve as daily reminders to students, faculty and staff of why we are here and whose glory we work for.
Sic ’em, Bears!