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Here we have a group of students early one fall morning circa 1920 heading toward classes on Ag Hill, having finished compulsory chapel services in Schwab Auditorium. The old Old Main is in the center background. On the right is Old Botany, and on the left is the rear of Walker Lab, the old chemistry and physics building. Along the walkway in the foreground is a turn-of-the-century shepherd's crook lamp, similar to those the University recently installed along the campus mall as gifts from the Class of 2001 and the Penn State Alumni Association. Although Penn State from its very founding in 1855 was a public institution, one of its aims was to nurture the moral character of its students. Therefore, daily religious worship in the form of chapel services was compulsory for all students—at least for those of Protestant denominations. (Apparently Catholic, Jewish, and other non-Protestant students were encouraged to attend services of their own faiths whenever possible.) Compulsory daily chapel was abolished in 1927, Sunday chapel in 1930.
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