As Sacred Heart University’s new Chapel rises this fall, there will still be decisions to make about the final architectural details and landscaping. However, one thing is certain: this will be a chapel designed especially for the unique University community that will flow through its doors to worship, or simply pause to meditate in its gardens.
"It’s going to be a very light, open, inviting space, with many traditional elements, such as a bell tower," says Sister Margaret Palliser, OP, S.T.D. Assistant Vice President for Mission. "There will also be intimate spots for prayer and reflection that can be used by people of all faiths."
With over 14,000 square feet of indoor space and dedicated outdoor features, the Chapel will be built primarily of limestone and the roof will be expertly crafted of copper. The building will be designed around three elements: the Bell Tower, the Main Chapel, and the Small Chapel.
The Bell Tower, located at the end of the Quad, will serve as an identifying icon for the University and will be visible from almost any point on campus. The Main Chapel, with seating for 500 people, will define the southern edge of the Quad, inviting entrance to the main sanctuary through the use of warm materials, the soothing presence of natural light, and the connection to gardens at either end to create an uplifting and serene environment. The plaza at the main entrance of the Chapel will be directly accessible from the Quad, allowing for outdoor gatherings before and after Mass, as well as other events. In one corner of the main Chapel Grove, away from the bustling activity of everyday campus life, there will also be an intimate Eucharistic Chapel that will accommodate 50 people.