====== Chapel and Lovelace Hall, Marion Military Institute ======

Chapel and Lovelace Hall are notable historical buildings located at the Marion Military Institute in Perry County, Alabama. Built in 1857, these structures have a rich history that spans from their origins as part of Howard College to their use during the American Civil War.

==== Historical Background ====

Chapel and Lovelace Hall were constructed in 1857 as part of the Howard College campus. Howard College, now known as Samford University, moved to Birmingham, Alabama in 1887. After the relocation, Colonel James Thomas Murfee remained in Marion to establish the Marion Military Institute, which continues to operate to this day.

During the Civil War, the buildings were repurposed as the Breckinridge Military Hospital, named after Confederate General John C. Breckinridge. The hospital treated both Union and Confederate soldiers, and many who died there were buried behind the chapel. 

==== Architecture ====

The architectural design of Chapel and Lovelace Hall is in the Classical Style, with influences of Greek Revival. The buildings, designed by architect Noah K. Davis, showcase the characteristic elements of this style, including symmetrical facades, classical columns, and pedimented gables.

The construction of these buildings reflects the era's commitment to monumental and enduring architecture, typical of many academic institutions of the period. The use of these buildings as a military hospital during the Civil War adds a layer of historical significance to their already impressive architectural heritage.

==== Hauntings and Legends ====

The history of Chapel and Lovelace Hall is intertwined with numerous ghost stories and legends. The buildings’ past as a military hospital during the Civil War is believed to contribute to the ghostly phenomena reported by cadets and visitors. 

Accounts include:
  * **Objects Moving on Their Own:** Cadets and staff have reported instances of objects shifting or moving without apparent cause.
  * **Echoes of Footsteps and Voices:** Sounds of footsteps, whispers, laughter, and cries have been heard echoing through the hallways.
  * **Unseen Presence:** Some individuals have felt a disconcerting sense of being watched by an unseen presence.

These eerie occurrences have fueled the belief that the spirits of soldiers who died at the Breckinridge Military Hospital may still linger in the buildings.

==== Preservation and Recognition ====

Chapel and Lovelace Hall were added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 13, 1978. This designation recognizes their architectural significance and their role in the history of both Howard College and Marion Military Institute.

==== References ====

  * "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
  * Floyd, W. Warner; Moore, Sally. *National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Chapel and Lovelace Hall, Marion Military Institute*. National Park Service. February 23, 1978. Retrieved June 14, 2018. [PDF](https://www.nps.gov/nr/feature/places/pdfs/78000508.pdf)
  * "History". Marion Military Institute. Retrieved July 4, 2024.

==== External Links ====

  * [Marion Military Institute](https://www.marionmilitary.edu)
  * [National Register of Historic Places: Chapel and Lovelace Hall](https://www.nps.gov/nr/feature/places/78000508.htm)