During the current period of campus restoration and transition, alumni and friends of The General Theological Seminary remain warmly welcome to visit the Close, and are especially encouraged to visit the Chapel of the Good Shepherd for personal prayer and quiet reflection. GTS remains present on the Close and will continue here in perpetuity, even as Vanderbilt University undertakes substantial renovation and repair work across the campus.

At present, public worship services at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd are held only during designated Seminary gathering periods: the final two weeks of May, the first two weeks of June, and the first two weeks of August, corresponding to MDiv intensives and alumni programming. Outside of these periods, visitors are still welcome to visit the Close and the Chapel for personal prayer, provided that visits are coordinated in advance.

Because the campus is currently an active construction site, all visits must be arranged ahead of time. Unscheduled walk-on access is strongly discouraged. Access during this period may be limited to designated exterior areas and the Chapel of the Good Shepherd; other buildings may not be accessible. The 21st Street gate is closed as it serves as the primary construction entrance and exit. All visitors should plan to arrive via the 20th Street gate. Access procedures may vary depending on construction activity, and all campus signage should be understood as temporary during this phase of work.

To ensure safe, prayerful, and hospitable access, visitors are asked to coordinate in advance with the Dean of the Chapel,
The Rev. Dr. Michael W. DeLashmutt
📧 delashmutt@gts.edu

Individual visits for personal prayer are most readily accommodated. Group visits or tours require additional coordination and may not always be possible during this period. Advance communication allows us to extend a more attentive welcome while respecting the safety requirements of an active worksite.

We are grateful for the patience, care, and continued affection of our alumni and friends during this season of renewal. GTS is very much here, and we look forward to welcoming visitors in ways that honor both the life of prayer centered in the Chapel and the substantial work now underway across the Close.

The Rev. Dr. Michael W. DeLashmutt