HPU Honors David R. Hayworth During Chapel Ceremony
HIGH POINT, N.C., Sept. 11, 2019 – Today, High Point University honored dedicated philanthropist, community leader and benefactor David R. Hayworth in a special ceremony at the newly renovated Charles E. Hayworth Sr. Memorial Chapel.
In March, Hayworth, a longtime friend and supporter of HPU and a resident of High Point, made a gift through two family foundations for the renovation and restoration of the Chapel.
“David Hayworth’s support of HPU’s transformational growth is very much appreciated,” said HPU President Nido Qubein. “We are a God, family and country school, and David has recognized this through his generosity. We are forever grateful for his giving spirit to renovate the Chapel, which plays an important role in bringing our HPU family and the community together in fellowship.”
The Chapel upgrades include restoring the carpet flooring to hardwoods, an expanded alter area, new pews to match the curve of the chancel, a redesign of the chapel’s colors, and state-of-the-art audio, video and lighting.
“The Chapel is the heart and soul of HPU,” said David R. Hayworth. “I am pleased to have supported these upgrades so that the community and all of HPU can enjoy enhanced services here for many years to come.”
The Chapel holds weekly worship services on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. and Sundays at 11 a.m. that are open to the community. The services are led by the Rev. Preston Davis, minister to the university, with students officiating. The Chapel also hosts community events throughout the year, including the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Worship Service and the Lessons and Carols Candlelight Service at Christmas.
David R. Hayworth is the son of the late Charles Emerson Hayworth Sr., one of several business leaders who helped found High Point University in 1924. David R. Hayworth and his brother, Charles E. Hayworth, Jr., led Hayworth Furniture Industries, once the city’s largest employer.
The Chapel was built in 1972 thanks to the support of Charles Hayworth Jr. in memory of their father. The David R. Hayworth Hall, adjacent to the chapel, was built in 1998 with a gift from David R. Hayworth and provided 12,500 square feet of offices, classrooms, restrooms and lounge space for the campus.
David R. Hayworth made a gift in 1999 to add to the chapel a vestibule, a Palladian window, a Georgian porch and a 95-foot steeple.
In 1993, David R. Hayworth committed to leave his residence on Rockford Road in High Point to the university.
In 2007, Hayworth was honored for his philanthropic contributions with the naming of the David R. Hayworth College of Arts and Sciences and the David R. Hayworth Park.
David R. Hayworth is an active benefactor in High Point and across the state, having contributed generously to dozens of organizations that benefit children and the health and wellbeing of the community. He has been a member of the university’s Board of Trustees since 1992 and has served on the boards of many other nonprofits and institutions. He has been honored by The Herculean Society and has been awarded the Governor’s Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the Chairman’s Award from the United Way of Greater High Point, and the Philanthropist of the Year Award from the High Point Community Foundation.