The cornerstone had been laid for the chapel in 1907, after Chancellor Henry Buchtel came back from a vacation to California. He was inspired by the mission style churches and asked the architect to build in this style. A full decade elapsed between the groundbreaking and dedication of the building due to funding. Once complete, the chapel was named Memorial Chapel to honor those alumni who had died in World War I. In 1949 the chapel was renamed to Buchtel Memorial Chapel after the late chancellor. In 1983, a fire destroyed the majority of the chapel. Today a single tower remains and is a unique feature on campus.