A Canterbury History Synopsis
Canterbury MSU was founded in 1935 by members of St. Paul's Lansing. In 1945, the first chaplain was called. As the Michigan Agricultural College grew rapidly into thr present University, so too did the number of students in attendance at the MSU Canterbury House. One apocryphal story tells of an energetic young lay woman who, under orders of the Fire MArshall not to allow more than the maximum number of people in for Sunday Service, turned the Bishop of the diocese away, only of course, until she was persuaded that he had come to confirm some students. This chaplaincy utilized two Canterbury houses until former students sought parish status. At that time, the chaplaincy was re-established as All Saints Parish in 1953. At this time the new parish was charged by the diocese to continue in its ministry to students. In 1965 the Episcopal Ministry at MSU was established as a chaplaincy separate from the parish, with ties to All Saints. Funding for this ministry formerly came entirely from the Diocese of Michigan. Between 1983 and 2002, four chaplains served this ministry: the Reverend John Mitman, the Reverend Les Muray, the Reverend Jannel Glennie and the Reverend Allen Kannapell. Until 1996, the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan fully funded a full time chaplain to serve at Michigan State University. When the Diocese of Eastern Michigan was formed as a new diocese, funding for the chaplaincies in the Diocese of Michigan diminished and the first part time chaplain was called. Allen Kannapell served as part time chaplain from 1997-2002.
In 2002, a new vision was cast by the governing board of the chaplaincy. This new vision included hiring a full time chaplain and recovering the large numbers of students that participated in our programs in the 1970s and 80s. With the support of the Rt. Rev. Wendell Gibbs, Bishop of Michigan, the Reverend Sean Ferrell was hired by the Canterbury board. In April of 2003, the original name of the Chaplaincy - “Canterbury” - was reclaimed with the unanimous and enthusiastic approval of the governing board and Bishop Gibbs.
Today...
Our new chaplain is the Rev. Sarah Midzalkowski. Sarah works with the Canterbury Board and All Saints Church to provide leadership for this vital and growing student ministry. Many, many students are actively involved in our weekly Sunday evening Eucharist. We continue to be funded by the Diocese of Michigan, and individuals and parishes from all over Michigan continue to offer support to this thriving ministry.
