The multi-faith chapel at Penn State Erie, the Behrend College, is a gift of Larry and Kathryn Smith, longtime friends of the college and its students. Larry Smith is the president and owner of Automation Devices, Incorporated, in Fairview, PA. The Smiths faced illness and tragedy in their lives, and they felt that God had carried them through troubled times. In gratitude for such grace, they provided funds to build a place of worship for the students at Penn State Behrend. 

The bell tower and carillon are the gift of the late Floyd and Juanita Smith, parents of Larry Smith. On one of Floyd Smith’s visits to Penn State Behrend, he asked Provost and Dean John Lilley where to find the bell tower. When John replied that Behrend didn’t have one, Floyd remarked, “Every University needs a bell tower!” At the time of his death, Floyd designated funds that were later used to build the bell tower and carillon. 
     

     As the chapel began to take shape, Larry and Kathryn Smith also felt that an organ would add to the spiritual impact of worship there. They gave a custom-made mechanical tracker pipe organ in honor of their daughter, Colleen, and their son, Kevin. 
     

     On September 29, 2001, Kevin Smith and his bride, Julie, were the first couple to be married in the Larry and Kathryn Smith Chapel. On December 12, 2001, a portion of the ashes of Floyd and Juanita Smith were placed in the columbarium in the Smith Chapel.